Daily Journal: 30 June

Good Fruit

People will know you by your fruit.

Matthew 7:15-16 (NKJV)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

What does the bible say about good fruit? As you read these scriptures, consider how fruit is being produced in your life, and where disease may have crept in.

Matthew 7:18 (NLT)

A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.

Believers are described as trees in the bible, which has rich symbolism of strength, permanence, and provision from God. They are also described as branches, grafted to the vine of Jesus Christ, John 15.

John 15:5 (NLT)

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

When disease is found to be eating away at our branches, we need to firstly:

Matthew 3:8

(NIV) Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

(NLT) Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

The light of Christ will illuminate areas we need to repent.

Ephesians 5:9 (NIV)

 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

As we profess the name of Jesus and bring a sacrifice of praise, continually, the Holy Spirit comes in to produce fruit in us that we can't produce on our own.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NCV)

But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

As we live and produce for the Lord He provides a blessing:

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT)

Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Psalm 128:2 (NIV)

You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

I pray that we repent for where we have let disease grow in our lives. I pray that our character will be pruned and shaped so that we show the goodness of Jesus Christ and produce the fruit that brings approval from God, and receive His blessing.