Matthew 7:16-20 (AMP)
16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.
18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.

Every living organism reproduces its kind, and every tree is recognised by its fruit.
When Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruit,” what does “fruit” mean? giving the illustration of grapevines and fig trees. When we see grapevines, we expect them to have grapes in season. We also expect fig trees to produce figs.
Fruitful trees are a sign of fertility and life. Trees reproduce in their seasons but can be stunted either by the environment or by nurturing.
Humans are meant to be productive and fruitful- one of the commands the Lord gave mankind at creation in Genesis 1:28, unfortunately not everyone produces beneficial fruits.
When a farmer notices his fruit trees not bearing any fruit cuts them down. It is useless.
Likewise, we would not come to a field of thistles and expect to harvest fruit. Thistles and thorn bushes can never produce fruit because of their nature. It is impossible. They have no capacity to produce anything but thorns, see Matthew 12:33.
Believers glorify God and identify themselves with Him by producing spiritual fruits which include good works, an expression of our actions that reflects our hearts.
The fruit of a person’s life, their words and actions reveal who is and not a true disciple of Christ, Luke 6:43-45. The best way to tell what’s in a person’s heart is to observe what comes out of their mouth. Our actions must match our professions according to Romans 8:5-8.
What kind of tree are you? What sort of fruit do you produce? Whatever kind of fruit you produce, people and life will squeeze your fruit to determine its quality. Believers often carry outward signs of their Christianity to share their faith, like bumper stickers on cars and other things. These signs say that the people are Christians, but what kind of fruit do they exhibit in a situation? Our actions are true signs of who we are.
We carry big Bibles, wear Christian jewellery, and display large collections of Christian books in our homes—and still not be produce good fruit. We must be concerned about producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit as prescribed in Galatians 5:22-24. The Holy Spirit dwells in us to continually work His fruit in us displayed through our transformed lives.
Many false prophets and Christians live in blatant sin while preaching their message. Unfortunately, many people through the years have been duped into following such characters and joining them in justifying the sin. If only they’d heeded 1 John 4:1’s warning. No matter how convincing someone sounds, check their fruit.
Often, people’s faith is a mere profession with no substance. But as time goes on, the fruit being produced in such a life looks nothing like what is prescribed in the Bible, 1 Peter 1:16. Some attend church but spend the rest of their time living entirely for themselves. Some may rise to prominence, even teaching or preaching, writing books, or dominating the media, but the fruit of their lives belies their words, Matthew 24:24.
You see and hear some Christians and the first question in your mind is “what bible are you reading, which God told you that? Examine your fruit regularly. If any of it is diseased or rotten, ask the Lord to prune you to reproduce a new crop. He will gladly do it!
Shalom