OF FRUIT AND ACTIONS

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. —Matthew 7:20

Oak trees produce acorns. Apple trees produce apples. Orange trees produce oranges. Pear trees produce pears. What a tree is so it produces.

What do you and I produce? What is seen in our life comes from who we are on the inside. We may try to hide what we are on the inside, but we can’t hide it all. Just as a tree can’t help but produce fruit, so a person cannot but produce the life that comes from within.

Who are you and I? It is seen by what we do. Spend enough time around a person and you will see the fruit of their lives. You will see what is important to them. You will hear what is important to them. You will know what truly makes them tick.

If I followed you around 24/7, what would I find out about who you really are? Well, God does know who you really are 24/7. You and I may be able to keep much of who were really are inside, but God knows and He is the one we will give account to one day.

Picking fruit from a healthy tree is a delight. But a tree that produces unhealthy or immature fruit does not bring about the same joy. May we live in such a way that our lives produce healthy fruit, words and actions that are pleasing to both God and man. Of course this can only happen as we yield to the Holy Spirit of God. He is the One that produces healthy fruit in our lives. May we allow Him to do so.

Dear Father, may I live in the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. Oh, be pleased to transform me inwardly so that I can bear healthy fruit in my life. May this be done in the authority of Jesus my Lord.