GOOD VS. BAD FRUIT
MONDAY, MARCH 31
READING: MATTHEW 7:15-20
In Matthew 7:17 Jesus points out that the condition of a tree determines the type of fruit it will produce whether good or bad. The location of a tree’s roots can cause it to be healthy or diseased. Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV) states:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
When your roots are not planted in Christ and his Word, you will develop bad fruit. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:19 called these bad fruit “works of the flesh”. Roots that are planted by streams of water (planted in Christ and his Word) will produce the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 states: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
When your roots are not planted in Christ and his Word, you will develop bad fruit. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:19 called these bad fruit “works of the flesh”. Roots that are planted by streams of water (planted in Christ and his Word) will produce the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 states: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
MORNING
Start the morning with prayer, “God, show me how to draw closer to you so that my heart becomes planted and rooted deep within your word. So that I produce the fruit of the Spirit in every area of my life. In Jesus name I pray Amen!” Journal any thoughts that come to you as you listen.
EVENING
Read Galatians 5:22-26
Galatians 5:22-26 Lectio Divina:
Galatians 5:22-26 Lectio Divina:
INTENTIONAL HONEST REFLECTION
Take a few moments to pray, honestly reflect, and journal on the following questions:
- Am I abiding in God’s Word so I can become rooted?
- Where is my heart when it comes to God?
- How much do I value Scripture?
- What type of fruit is my tree producing?
RESOURCES
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