Jesus said in John 15: 1, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Jesus is the true vine and there are also deceptive or untrue vine. We humbly ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into his word of life and truth in Christ Jesus as we discuss the fake vine.
Who is a fake vine?
From scripture, we know that Satan is the fake vine. Fake stands for deceit or deception or untruth. John 8: 44 says you are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. So, Satan is the father of lies, untruths, deception and destruction.
Fake vines camouflage as Sons of God. They purport to act with God’s authority whereas there is none such authority. They embrace no truth but dishonesties and trickeries. 2 Corinthians 11: 14 says and no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. The object of disguise or camouflage or fakeness is to viciously mislead the unsuspecting into destruction and doom. Fake vines are also thieves and robbers. So, John 10: 8 says all those who came before me are thieves and robbers.
Fake vines have evil embedded in their hearts. Proverbs 12: 20 says deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan good have joy. Fake vines do not belong to God nor can they be branches of the true vine. Psalms 101: 7 says no man who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no man who utters lies shall continue in my presence. They have malicious tongues through vain doctrines, precepts and philosophies. Psalms 52: 4 says you love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
Contrast between Jesus and fake vines
Jesus rightly drew the contracts or distinction between the true vine and fake vines in his days. The true vine is synonymous with godly and divine character whilst the fake vine is the opposite. Jesus illustrated the contrast in John 10: 10-11, the thief comes only to steal and teach to kill and to destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The true vine gives life and peace whilst the fake vines give death and chaos.
Fake vines make crooked the straight paths of God. Acts 13: 10 says you sons of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? They reject Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Matthew 12: 30; Luke 11: 23 says he who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
God requires vigilance from us
Vigilance in Christ Jesus will expose fake vines. Matthew 7:15 says beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 1 Peter 5:8 says be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Vigilance and watchfulness are best achieved by prayer. Matthew 26: 41 says watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. Revelation 3:11 says I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Sadly, a number of us either do not pray; do not devote time to pray; do not know how to pray; or are in bed with the world thus inhibiting us from praying against the very things we love best in darkness.
We cannot pretend to be branches of the true vine when we are not nor feed from the true vine. Matthew 17: 16; 20 says you will know them by their fruits. Galatians 6:7 says do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap. God demands that we be his worthy servants and worthy friends of Christ Jesus in truth. John 4:24 says God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. We need Christ Jesus the true vine in order to stay alive in the spirit as we can meet God when the trumpets sound.
God, the true vine dresser
John 15: 1 says the Father (God Almighty) is the vine dresser. Though we know the extent of God’s love towards us as scripture and events in life portray, Jesus nevertheless used the vine to expound other unknown qualities of God who is our maker.
God as the vine dresser tills the soils of life. The soils are the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Jesus portrayed this in the parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4: 3-25; Luke 8: 5-18. God tills our soils with his grace, mercy, and unfailing love. This is to ensure that we have enough and regular fresh water of life to bear fruits in all circumstances as the vine does.
God ensures that our roots of faith grow deep in him so we become unshaken when the storms come. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the man who built his house on the sand and could not withstand the storm at the appointed time in Matthew 7:26-27. God controls the weeds of destruction, nuisance, and unhealthy competition away from our lives so we can have enough nutrients for growth to bear fruits. In God, we have rich soils for sustainable growth in godliness as the vine gives.
God prunes our lives as his vine branches and chops off the non-fruit bearing branches to avoid waste of nutrients needed for a fruitful yield. Matthew 3: 10; 7: 19; Luke 3: 9 says even the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every three therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. The axe is the end of time; the cutting down is the judgment; and the root is our depth in God. We are the branches of either the true vine or woke vine. The end is soon and we shall be known by our fruits.
Are we drawing water from the true vine by the blood of Jesus? Or are we withering in righteousness without fruits destined for death and eternal fire? The fruit simply is being and remaining faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose by the Holy Spirit as the people of Antioch did, living like Christ did. Jesus is calling now! We have decided to be fruit bearing branches of the true vine, what about you?
Prayer
Our Master and Saviour Christ Jesus, we have decided to be your fruit-bearing branches. We have no more time to waste because you are coming soon. Our fruits can never be hidden so we submit unto your pruning that we may bear deserving fruits. Redeem our souls in your precious blood by your Holy Spirit. Show us the way of righteousness and lead us along the way. Give us the strength to carry on until we attain the crown of life in your holy name, Amen!!
