A successful business reveals a wise owner.
An obedient child reveals a sharp parent.
A strong church flock reveals a quality pastor.
When you see a fruitful harvest, acknowledge the sower!
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)
In order to ‘know them by their fruit’ we must:
#1 Be filled with the Holy Spirit to discern
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:18-19)
Do not be ‘drunk’ with the worldly ways and perspective but be filled with the Spirit to effectively discern between good fruit and fake fruit.
One of the prerequisites to being filled with the Holy Spirit is thanksgiving.
You’ll know when something is birthed from the secret place in somebody because of the seeds that were sown into them privately and allow God to reward you and be exalted publicly.
In order for us to bear fruit that glorifies God publicly, we need to spend time with God privately.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (John 15:7-8)
#2 Focus on people’s character, their function in serving the body of Christ, and how they will be used for the glory of God
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
#3 Understand the process of how seeds are planted and harvested
Everybody’s path to fruitfulness in the Lord varies.
Experiences and trials to a fruitful season differ.
Seed, Soil, Season
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9)
When you are surrounded by other believers producing fruit, the Holy Spirit inspires you to get deeper with the Lord so you can produce fruit according to your gifts and anointing.
To be fruitful it’s staying faithful to what God has called and anointed you for.
Click here to watch the podcast episode on this topic.
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