Warriors Arise: February 26, 2024
Matthew 7: 16-20 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Identify the source. Sometimes there are seasons when fruit is not at its best. It could be because the tree was stressed from weather conditions, lack of water, too much sun, didn't get pruned properly, diseased or a harmful insects. When this happens we do not cut the tree down until the root of the problem has been identified. Sometimes a tree has to be cut down especially if it is diseased. However, there are times with proper treatment it can be restored and healthy again. Just because a person has had a stressful season that didn't produce the abundance nor the desirable tastiness of their fruit, doesn't mean they are a bad tree.
This is why we identify the source. If it is a bad tree production bad fruit then it needs to be removed. However, if it is a good tree that produces good fruit but having a stressful time, then pray the Gardener tends to them and they receive His care. There are people we come across who are the wolf in sheep's clothing, they do produce bad fruit because they refuse to yield to the Gardener. They spew ugliness, selfishness, jealousy, discouragement and contempt. Their actions reveal their lack of integrity, character and concern.
Jesus does not say we will cut them down. He says they will be cut down and thrown into the fire. God will take care of them. We are to identify them so we do not eat their fruit and be poison by them. Their bad fruit can make us sick and cause us to have disease in our heart and mind.
When I identify if a person is having a difficult, stressful season, I find it easier to offer grace as well as comfort, encourage, and pray for them. When I come across someone who continues to produce bad fruit every season I set back and pray for them. I do keep my distance because I do not want to be infected by their poison. Sadly, if I am not in a solid place of growth in Christ, I find it too easy to have the negativity or stress of another affect me. When I am in a healthy place of growth in my relationship with Christ, there seems to be a resistant shield put up around me. Be in Christ to identify the source and determine it someone is having a stressful season or if they truly are producing bad fruit consistently.
My Father in heaven, hallowed by Your Name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give me discernment. I want to be able to identify the bad fruit producers and not confuse them with those who are in a stressful, harmful season. I want to pray for them and lift them up in prayer. I ask for insight to know how to pray and wisdom to know how to respond to encourage them. I pray for You to keep me healthy and producing good fruit in Jesus' Name, amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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