DID YOU KNOW “For each tree is known by its own fruit.” Luke 6:44, ESV. Did you know that spiritual discernment begins with observing character, including our own? In Luke 6:39–45, Jesus brings together several pictures: a blind guide, a student becoming like a teacher, a beam obstructing someone’s vision, and a tree producing fruit.Continue reading “The Fruit That Tells the Truth”
Tag Archives: fruit of the Spirit
When a Difficult Person Reveals What Is Growing in Us
On Second Thought Most of us know what we intend to say before a difficult conversation. We will be calm. We will listen carefully. We will answer without a sharp edge in our voice. Then the other person makes a remark we did not expect, and the response we rehearsed disappears. Hours later, we mayContinue reading “When a Difficult Person Reveals What Is Growing in Us”
Known by Their Fruit
By His Word A person can speak beautifully about kindness and still leave others feeling diminished. Another may speak quietly, without much polish, yet consistently point people toward Christ. Jesus gives us a way to look beyond the first impression: “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit” (Luke 6:44, NIV). His words invite usContinue reading “Known by Their Fruit”
The Battle Nobody Else Can See
On Second Thought There is a battle taking place in every believer that few people ever witness. It is not fought with visible weapons or dramatic confrontations but within the thoughts, desires, and intentions of the heart. Paul describes this conflict in Galatians 5 as the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. “Stand fastContinue reading “The Battle Nobody Else Can See”
The Quiet Fragrance of Faithfulness
As the Day Ends “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.” — Acts 11:24 As evening settles in and the noise of the day begins to fade, it is comforting to remember that God often works most deeply through ordinary, faithful people. Barnabas was not known forContinue reading “The Quiet Fragrance of Faithfulness”
Awakened to Honor
As the Day Begins “Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” — Ephesians 4:30 There is a sobering tenderness in Paul’s warning to the church at Ephesus. The Greek word for “grieve” is lypeō, meaning to cause sorrow, distress, or emotional pain. Paul was not speakingContinue reading “Awakened to Honor”
Joy That Cannot Be Taken
Living in the Fullness of Christ A Day in the Life “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13) There are moments in the life of Jesus that, if we slow down long enough, begin to reshape howContinue reading “Joy That Cannot Be Taken”
The Hidden Life That Bears Fruit
A Day in the Life “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 As I walk through the words of Jesus in John 15, I find myself slowing down, almost as ifContinue reading “The Hidden Life That Bears Fruit”
Shining Where It Matters Most
A Faith That Cannot Be Hidden As the Day Begins “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) There is something unmistakable about light when it enters a dark room. It does not struggle to be seen; it simply exists, andContinue reading “Shining Where It Matters Most”
The Exchange That Changed Everything
Walking in His Righteousness A Day in the Life “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21 There are moments in Scripture that do not simply inform us—they arrest us. This is one of them. IContinue reading “The Exchange That Changed Everything”