Determinant Fruits

Focus: Matthew 7:19-20 - KJV

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.

Matthew 7:15-20

In this present world, there are too many people presenting themselves as God’s representatives who do not even know God. Ironically, since there is no art for finding the heart’s construction on the face, it is ordinarily difficult to separate the genuine from the interlopers. But the Lord Himself has suggested to us a way to determine who is genuine. Since God is a Spirit, those who represent Him are expected to bear only the fruit of the Spirit. Hence, where we find the works of the flesh, we determine quickly that such do not represent the Lord. Many even teach others things that encourages death and killings when the heart of God is to give life and life more abundantly. Such evil representatives are not to be seen as being of God.

Simon was a sorcerer. He heard the truth of the word of God and seemed to have been convicted thereby. No sooner had he been converted that he saw that the Apostles cast out devils by the Holy Spirit which was transferred by the laying of the hands of the Apostles. He also wanted the Holy Spirit, but not for the purpose of the kingdom; rather for self-aggrandizement. So, he offered the Apostles money to acquire the gift of the Holy Spirit. Of course, that was inimical to the fruit of the Spirit which is love and therefore, selfless. Hence, rather than get the Spirit, he got rebuked and rebuffed.

Many today use the Holy Spirit or feign to use Him for their selfish ends. There is so much merchandising going on amongst so called representatives of God. What they do purely is for their persons and not necessarily the kingdom. The Lord is spotlighting them to us by saying if what we do is not as unto the Lord but for our self-centeredness, then it is not approvable of God. The fruit is not borne in love and therefore, counterproductive. Let us therefore do all as unto the Lord, bearing the fruit of love and not thinking only of our personal gains.

Please pray:

Thank you, Lord for giving birth to me anew by your Spirit. From now on and better than ever, keep me in your Spirit that I may only bear the fruit thereof, in the name of Jesus. Do not allow the enemy to infiltrate my heart and thoughts, to make me produce the works of the flesh rather than the fruit of the Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Let the benefit of serving you in truth be mine for ever more, in Jesus’ name.

Please share with others. God bless you.