No Brainer

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

We humans and the world’s messages often make life so complicated. Am I judging, critical, biased, intolerant, narrow-minded, or bigoted? Here’s the lens. Scripture clearly tells us how to recognize the Spirit of God. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Just as in nature, the fruit becomes visible in the lives of others.

It Is Written

1 JOHN 4:2 -31 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is

not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.

MATTHEW 7:20 -21 Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets]. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

Fruit Inspecting

Time is actually our friend. Sometimes fruit trees are not easy to identify until they bear fruit. The honeymoon period in any relationship is about six months; after that, the fruit reveals the truth. Falling for someone before six months is usually lust, not love. Scripture says we will know them by their fruit. A fig tree does not produce bananas. Fruit does not lie; it shows you exactly what kind of tree it is. This is also true of people. A believer and follower of Christ is easily recognizable over time and through observation. Following Christ is not done by lip service. It’s observable in actions, convictions, and motives. If it doesn’t look, act, or smell like Christ, it’s probably not. 

Prayer

Lord, I do not want to be judgmental, critical, Pharisaical, or self-righteous. I do want to be wise and to walk in Your ways. I ask for wisdom and discernment in all my relationships. When I am inspecting the fruit in others' lives, I give You permission to hold a mirror up to me and create in me a clean heart and a right spirit.

Takeaway

You can recognize a tree by its fruit, and Christians by their fruit.