[check your fruit, then check the source]

I may be wrong and totally uneducated, but I don’t think that the average person would be able to tell you what a tree is unless they look at it’s fruit. Right? Maybe I should speak for myself, because I surely wouldn’t be able to tell you the difference between an orange tree and an apple tree until I look at the fruit that the tree has produced.

In the same way, our lives all produce fruit, and we are all connected to some source that produces this fruit. Fruits in this case are the outward expressions of what we are rooted in. There are fruits of kindness, fruits of love, or fruits of joy. Then there are fruits of bitterness, division, jealousy, and so much more.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

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When a tree bears fruit, the fruit isn’t for itself. Fruit is not just ornaments on a Christmas Tree. It’s for others to ‘eat’ of it! We are blessed to be a blessing to others with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is by this that people will think “there is something especially different about this one.”

For example, when we feel the love of God inside of us, it’s not for us to keep it inside! It’s for us to love one another, to share the good news of His Love, to love our enemies, and most of all- to love God with the love He gave you!!

By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another.

John 13:35 ESV

In the same way, if our fruits are rotten, when people eat of these, of our anger, or bitterness, it can affect the people around you, just as much as it is affecting you.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 NLT

So, what is your source? If you notice that the fruits you’re showing in your daily life are not of God; fear, rejection, anger, or depression, then check your source. What are you plugged into? Are you going by your feelings or are you being led by God’s faithful words? Ask yourself these tough questions. What are you feeding yourself what are you watching or listening to that is fueling these things in your life? It could also be something you have not dealt with and brought to God for Him to remove and restore your fruit.

Whatever it is, just remember that Jesus is the Ultimate True Vine! When we plug into Christ, into His Word, into Prayer, He will start to bear in us these fruits- things that people so often look elsewhere for.

Jesus is where true joy, peace, and love is found. No one else or nothing else can give you these things.

 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.

“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.

John 15:4-5 NLT

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being all that we have ever been looking for, and all that we need. I pray that as You enter my heart, bear in me the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I want others to see Your love through me, and You in Me. I know that without You, I am nothing and I humbly come before You today asking that You help me to yield to Your Spirit.
I pray this all in Jesus Name, who is the Name above All Names, Amen.