Galatians 5:19-25
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
[24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
[25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Matthew 7:17-20
[17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
[18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
[19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The fruit that we bear will declare the nature of the tree, right? What we show and demonstrate each and every day will show what is of the true roots of our being! That’s pretty plain to me! When I examine myself and I do not see Christ in every action and word then I have received the answer to “what do I need to change”. The first fruits of our lives should be Christ!
Romans 7:5-6
[5] For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
[6] But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
As we read here, we know the fruit of the old man represents the person that we use to be or what we tend to try to fall back on when we face harder times. We must learn to recognize this so that we can learn to grow out of that discouraging life!
Romans 6:21-23
[21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
[22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
[23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As we read this, we recognize the fruit of the new man: it is what we have become through Christ and what we consume to live!
Mark 11:13-14
[13] And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
[14] And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
Fruit is expected and not just leaves alone; in other words not just to know God but to have the relationship and the spirit bear witness. That is to say, it will be something you know and feel and that others will be able to partake from you.
John 15:2,8
[2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
[8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Fruit bearing is helpful to you but is of most benefit for others. It is for the molding of your life and the example to be ‘witnessed’ by others. Most importantly, as you come through in victory your testimony and the impact it has upon other people gives glory to God.
Matthew 13:22
[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Fruit is hindered by bad surroundings (ground that is not kept). In other words if the flesh or part of us that will not let God lead us refuses to break down, the ground will be impossible to receive seed.
