What about the “fruit” that is the effect on other people? Put yourself in the place of a man on the fringe. He is not against Christianity. As a curious onlooker, he is drawn by the publicity to see what is done in the name of the Lord. He is told that he is witnessing the miracles of Jesus, and even “greater works.” “The spirit of Christ is active and alive here!” As an independent observer, he is not easily swept up in the tide of emotions. He notices that most who go forward in wheel chairs also leave in wheel chairs. Some of them weep. Some cheerfully claim to feel better. But he can see no change. ‘Improvements’ are invisible, and he is supposed to take their word for it. However, as an outsider, he has no reason for that kind of unquestioning faith. What is he to think? If he thinks he has seen Christianity at work, who can blame him for doubting Christ? Of course, a brief Bible survey of miracles would show that Jesus has been misrepresented. But this observer is unfamiliar with the Bible and has no such advantage. If his disappointing experience leads him to reject Jesus, then he too will hear Jesus’ sad words, “I never knew you.”
In Satan’s world (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19), you can be sure that damaging “fruit” continues. Skeptics and enemies are delighted to see false miracles as representing what Jesus did. They argue, “Here are people claiming to be healed who plainly are not. Those who limped still limp. Those with glasses still wear them. Those with hearing aids still use them. Yet they are so gullible as to believe they have received miracles. That must have been what happened with Christ and early Christians—credulous crowds were tricked, and the Bible’s reporters glossed over the facts.” Thus they ridicule Jesus and the Bible.
Frauds who claim to represent faith provide plenty of ammunition for destroying faith. This is their fruit, and their victims join the throngs on the wide road to destruction (Matthew 7:13).