How Fresh is Your Fruit?
“But when he [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:7-8
When I was a little girl, my grandmother lived right next door. I spent time at her house nearly every day. Each time I walked up the steps and into her dining room, the first thing I saw was the dining room table with it’s centerpiece - a bowl of fruit. The bowl was a beautiful green glass with a ruffled edge and it had an unusual shape. But what really occupied my attention was the fruit inside of the bowl. It looked real to my little eyes, but it wasn’t. I would poke the apple and squeeze the grapes, yet they didn’t have any life in them. They looked the same, day in and day out.
At first glance, a visitor might see fruit that resembled something authentic, but upon closer inspection, they would realize it was fake. It had no substance. It provided no nourishment. It wasn’t the product of being connected to a tree or vine. It was plastic. Eventually, the plastic fruit was thrown away. It wasn’t worth keeping- it was fake. And when it was tossed, it didn’t sink into the earth to produce more fruit, no, it just went to a landfill- rubbish with no value.
John the Baptist called out the Pharisees and Sadducees on the same issue. He first called them a brood of vipers- snakes who were shrewd, sly, and full of poison. Then he challenged them to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance!”. The fruit these men exhibited was artificial- it was a product of following rules, of evaluating themselves in comparison to others who didn’t know as much or follow the rules as well (in that case, they were sure to always come out on top). Oh, the Pharisees and Sadducees knew how to use Scripture, of that we can be sure. But they didn’t use it to teach and encourage, no, they used it to intimidate and oppress others. Their knowledge was used to gain power over others and elevate their own standing.
These men stood in judgment over others as if they had the authority by God to do so. Their fruit was self-manufactured and synthetic. It didn’t give evidence of life, nor did it give evidence of being connected to the Vine- Jesus. It didn’t nourish others and it didn’t produce a harvest. No, it was just legalistic rule-following, all for show and to earn the praise of men. It manifested as anger, pride, arrogance, and entitlement. The Pharisees and Sadducees had plastic faith and fake fruit.
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 5:6
So what distinguishes real fruit from something that ‘looks’ similar, but is fake? Real fruit has a fragrance that draws people to want to enjoy it. It brings refreshment and nourishment. It is alive with colors that are vibrant because they’re all natural and a product of creation, not manufacturing. When the seeds of real fruit are planted they sink into the fertile soil and produce more fruit.
Isn’t that what the Holy Spirit does in our hearts? He cultivates real fruit that is fragrant and nourishing. The fruit benefits not only us, but those around us. He produces in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He grows those character qualities in us that are so appealing that others want to be near, to learn more, to be blessed by us because it’s not us...but God IN us that affects the change and brings the fruit. When we are in Christ, He works in us and through us to show others the life that is transforming us into the likeness of Jesus.
“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15
Godly fruit is nothing we can manufacture in ourselves because we have no power to transform our own hearts and minds- that is always, only Jesus in us producing fruit in keeping with His likeness.
“For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.”Ephesians 5:9
This week, let’s pray that our sons and daughters have clear discernment to recognize fake fruit. There are ‘Pharisees and Sadducees’ all around us, even today. Pray that they would seek to listen to those who are connected to the Vine-producing real fruit and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their words and actions versus those with selfish ambition and vain conceit.
Pray, too, that they would allow Christ to work in their heart and mind to produce authentic fruit- evidence of a life lived in pursuit of Jesus. Pray they would surround themselves with others who are also pursuing Jesus. Philippians 1:9-11 is a wonderful prayer. Let’s pray for real fruit
“Heavenly Father, You are the Creator and Sustainer. You cultivated the Garden and placed man there for fellowship with You. Though sin destroyed it, You made a way, through Jesus, that we can enjoy fellowship and life with You. I pray that You would work in (name) today. Cultivate authentic fruit in their life that gives evidence of their faith in Christ. Keep them from the temptation to be a people-pleaser, going through the motions and saying words only to get the affirmation of others or to ‘look the part’. I pray, Holy Spirit, that you would grow in them love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Those with fake fruit don’t demonstrate these qualities. Help me to give evidence as well, so that when my family sees me, they don’t see a synthetic faith, but genuine love for Jesus that produces fruit that is sweet and refreshing. Lord, change me, grow me, and help me to live out my faith with confidence in Jesus alone. Let the fragrance of my faith be such that others would catch the fragrance of Jesus and they would breath deeply of Him. Lord, I pray the words of Paul in Philippians 1:9-11 for (name), “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Lord, fill them with the fruit of righteousness and let it grow, let it flourish, let it be authentic and beautiful for the glory and praise of Jesus, in His name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Spiritual Drought and Times of Refreshing
Sometimes life is difficult, so much so, that our soul feels weathered and dry and our prayers flat and lifeless. We long for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, but no matter how long we search for that refreshment, we can only see the desert and feel the dry air of spiritually empty space. God’s voice seems muffled and our heart just can’t muster the strength to pray; we’re in a spiritual drought.
We can hope, and pray that the Lord would bring renewal- streams of revival, but finding the words to even ask Him can be a struggle. It’s hard to pray for our own heart, let alone the hearts of our sons and daughters.
It’s times like these that we need to turn to Scripture and pray the words God’s given us. He’s so generously provided rich words filled with Truth and hope, bathed in grace and saturated with mercy. His Word is always enough. And how can we be equipped to pray for our sons and daughters if we’re not immersing ourselves in the Word, allowing God to empty us of ourselves and fill us with Him? Sometimes the season of drought helps bring things into perspective. It brings to light the necessities of survival for our spiritual life: Jesus’ living water, the breath of God and the fire of the Holy Spirit…the elements of the Living God.
We need to be that tree in Psalm 1, planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Notice, the fruit comes in season…that means there are seasons without fruit. That’s okay. It doesn’t mean we’re ineffective. It doesn’t mean we’re broken. We haven’t stepped out of His will so that He’s removing His hand of blessing. No, though the tree might ‘look’ dead, its roots are deep and the branches are preparing for another season of growth. So, too, God allows us to go through dry seasons as He prepares us for another time of growth. Consider the maple tree. In the dead of winter, when the forest is brown and brittle, the maple tree begins to run its sap. The sweetest product of the tree comes when it ‘appears’ to be lifeless. So, too, God can bring sweetness out of our drought-ridden times.
The Law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul (Ps 19.7).
So, today, take time to soak in the Word of God. Let His words fill you and saturate your soul with His living water. Pray Scripture back to Him. Be refreshed by His Word.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Ps 42:1-2,11
I waited patiently for the Lord ; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord . Psalm 40:1-3 1
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Ps 63:1-5
Why not share, in the comments, other scripture that’s spoken to you. Let’s encourage one another on to faithfulness and joy! Be encouraged, friends, times of refreshing are coming!
Pray without ceasing.
Prayers of Protection to Pursue Wisdom and Soul Refreshment
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
Psalm 19:7-9
“Father, I pray that (name) would recognize Your law as perfect- far exceeding the rightness and justice of any man made laws and fully complete in its ability to define what is right and good. I pray that (name) would love Your law and they would continually look to it and find a satisfying refreshment for their heart and soul- one that cannot be replicated by anything this world offers. Restore their soul, Lord, as they follow You and trust in Your Word. Just as you promised in Psalm 23:3 “he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” I pray that You would guide (name) in Your pathways.”
“Give (name)wisdom beyond what this world would grant them and provide discretion as they live by Your words. 1 Corinthians 13:9 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”” Fill them with joy, Lord, that only You can give when we walk faithfully and consistently with You. There is joy in following Jesus and a contentment that this world will never be able to offer. Help them to value the wisdom from Your Word. Proverbs 16:16 “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” Proverbs 23:19 “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:”
“Help (name) to trust your statutes (laws) understanding that Your words are right and true and You’ve decreed them for our good and for Your glory. Trust is hard sometimes when we see so much brokenness. Remind them that what they see in this fallen broken world is not representative of the way You intended things to be. Sin has worked it’s poison into every aspect of life. Remind them that You are preparing a place for us that is far beyond what we could imagine, and it will bring joy, peace, satisfaction and fulfillment, but remind them too, that following Your laws here will give a glimpse of that life to come. Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Lord, help (name) to embrace Your paths, Your laws and precepts, with uncompromising conviction.”
“Father, I pray that You would remove the veil and allow (name) to see the truth of Your Word and the righteousness of Your ways. Help (name) to turn to You, Lord. “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:16 Your Word promises that “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart” Psalm 97:11. Let it be that (name) enjoys those blessings of the Lord as they pursue Your truth.”
“Above all, Lord, I pray that (name) would fear You because “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.” Psalm 111:10. I pray Your mighty protection over (name) today and all the days of their life. May they fear You, be wise and unwavering in their commitment to Your laws. Lord, let them reap the rewards of following after You. Protect them from disillusionment, deception, and the influence of those who do not follow You. May (name) be salt and light to their generation and to those who would follow. Lord, help them to be fishers of men, pointing others to the Cross. Your name be praised. Amen.”