What Kind of Fruit Are You?...

"So then, you will know them by their fruits. "
Matthew 7:20

When my husband and I bought our home 38 years ago, we were surrounded by orange groves. Although we don't have an orange tree in our yard, we know many neighbors and friends that do. So we have been blessed with many bags of oranges and even lemons through the years. It's always surprising how oranges can differ from tree to tree, even from the same tree. Most oranges look good on the outside, but many times, it's after that first bite, that you call tell if it's sour, or even if it's dried up on the inside.

So it is with us. Sometimes, it takes getting to know someone before you realize what kind of fruit they produce. Other people, it is evident from the first moment you meet them. It doesn't take long to evaluate what kind of fruit they produce in their lives.

If we know people by their fruit, in a way we are fruit inspectors. Not judges, but fruit inspectors. That also means that my fruit can be inspected as well. I will be known for the fruit that is seen in my life. I don't want my fruit to rot on the branches because I let things spoil me. Things like unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, jealousy...those kinds of things that rot from the inside out. It would be a sad for any woman to be beautiful on the outside and rotten on the inside.

So I have to ask myself, "Do I produce the fruits of, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? "

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;

against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23

What kind of fruit are you?