“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise” (Pr 11:30).

Intro: Jesus taught a great deal about being a fruit inspector. You hear this sometimes if you are in church circles. The reference is to Jesus’ teaching: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits” (Mt 7:15-16a). And “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits” (Mt 7:20).

This is the same truth as Solomon teaches in Proverbs 11:30, namely, that the godly, truth-bearing person is “a tree of life.” He/she bears godly fruit. His life bears the evidence of rooted gospel transformation (fruit) because he is rooted in the truth of being conformed to Christlikeness. The root leads ultimately to the fruit. 

And the capturing of souls is a picture of attracting and winning hearts and minds by way of a godly life. How do you contradict a godly life? How do you besmirch a life that is beyond reproach? Ad hominem attacks won’t find traction against such a man, at least not to those with discernment.

A reason we are commanded to study to show ourselves approved by God as workmen who need not be ashamed (2 Tim 2:15) is because we have been assigned the high calling of being part of God’s plan to redeem men and women. God uses our skills he has given to us to persuade, to win souls, to bear godly fruit in a fallen world in desperate need of rescue.