Randy & son Aaron

www.truthworks.com          16 SEP 03          devotion archive          send this page to a friend

BE YE
FRUITY

I tell you the Truth,

Genesis 1:
11Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day.

Perhaps I've shared this "biblical definition" study with you before.  For those that are new, allow me to share again.  I learned a few years ago to find the "biblical definition" of a general term, simply find where it first occurs in God's word.  This will give you more insight into God's purpose of using a specific word.  In the beginning, it was God's intent to use fruit to bear seed to multiply His creation.  The seed which multiplies is intended to multiply according to its own kind.  So it is by fruit we bare seed in order to bare like fruit.  Our fruit will bare seed according to its own kind.

God's word defines two types of fruit.  There are fruit of the sinful nature and fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God . 
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Remembering that fruit were established to produce seed of like kind, apply this definition to the scripture in Galatians.  If we allow fruit of the sinful nature to blossom in our lives, we will produce seed of like kind.  If we allow fruit of the Spirit to blossom in our lives, we will produce seed of like kind.

The difference in the fruit is very obvious.  One is of man's own flesh.  One is of God's own Spirit.  So how do we plant seed derived from fruit of the Spirit?  We must live by the Spirit and keep in step (or "walk") with the Spirit.

You and I, who belong to Jesus Christ, have crucified the sinful nature.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all fruit, not be confused with gifts.  If I have a fruit tree and do not properly nourish it, what kind of fruit will it produce?  Perhaps a weak fruit of maybe none at all.  Now, the question for each of us today is this: Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives?  Or is the fruit of the sinful nature more evident?  I challenge you to read the lists again. 

Luke 13:
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, `For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
8" `Sir,' the man replied, `leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

Conclusion?  Fertilize your soul with the Word of God.  Walk in the Spirit of God by constant prayer.

If you’ve read my devotions in the past, you find this constant message - read the Bible daily and pray without ceasing.  These two simple acts of obedience are not just helpful, they are necessary.  Without them, our fruit shrivel and become tasteless.

But when we are nourished properly with the bread of life, we bare like fruit.  And seeds of the fruit of the Spirit will be sown through our lives.

Your Servant,

Randy Hunt

Other Truth Works_TM Sites
Memorial Baptist Church
 

brent gambrell ministries
 

Get HELP NOW!
The 24Hour Counselor

SUPPORT TRUTH WORKS
You can help us continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to young people around the world with as little as $1.00 a year.  Web hosting and automated mass emailing is no longer a free commodity and it grows more expensive as we continue to grow. 

PLEDGE SUPPORT TO THIS SITE

TRUTH WORKS DEVOTIONS
is brought to you by
TRUTH WORKS PUBLISHING
printing the truth for today's youth.

TRUTH WORKS PUBLISHING
219 Redbud Drive
Beckley, WV 25801
Fax/Voice Mail 208.955.2696