Investigate the Fruit and You Will Find Your Answer

Judging (being able to discern) can be a very controversial topic. I am sure at some point in your life you have witnessed or have been the recipient of someone saying, “You can’t judge..” Although true when it comes to setting a judgement against someone, it’s not the case in the area of discernment. Judging a situation and passing Judgement are two entirely different things. Judging a situation is about discernment, knowing what is right or wrong. Passing Judgement on the other hand, has to deal with a sentence, in which we know we can’t do.

People who use the rebuttal “You can’t judge..” don’t like conviction. They don’t want you to pick out the “bad fruit” in their life. They would rather you agree with them or say nothing at all. They don’t want instruction because they believe they are right. They ignore wise counsel out of spite and a hard heart. In those situations, all we can do is share the truth and pray for the seed to be planted, opening their eyes. Even if the recipient doesn’t like the message.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
– Proverbs 27:6

To learn more about the topic of judgement, read:
How Judging Righteously is Different than Passing Judgement

As followers of Christ, we do not have the ability to pass judgement and I am truly thankful for that. In our fallen condition, our emotions would hinder us from making the right call. Our judgements could be too severe, too lenient or even filled with a series of mistrials. Only God’s ways are perfect and His sentencing is just. Fortunately for us, the Lord includes us in His process. We are guided and instructed in the Heavenly things by the work of the Holy Spirit. We are being conditioned and prepared. For although we are not judges now, the saints will be judges when we are gathered to our Lord.

Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
1 Corinthians 6:2-3

Until that time comes. While here on earth, the Lord calls us to preparation. We study His word and learn how to judge righteously. To know what is good fruit and bad fruit. What is right and wrong.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
– Matthew 16:20 KJV

As a Fruit Investigator, we become enlightened in the ways of our Lord. The closer we walk and the more we obey, the better we can discern. As we allow the Scriptures to mold our lives, we gain a deeper understanding of the fruit our Lord.

Love | Joy | Peace | Patience | Kindness | Goodness | Long-Suffering

Meekness | Faith | Humility | Temperance | Obedience

Anything opposite of the will of God is bad fruit. A few examples would include:

• Hatred. Boiling with hatred for others is not a gift from the Lord. It’s a tool from the enemy meant to cause separation, destruction, even death.
• Self-Righteousness. Putting yourself at the pinnacle of life is not what we are called to do. Jesus made it very clear that the Son of God did not come to be served, but to serve others.
• Hypocrisy. Saying one thing and doing another is not the way of the Lord. Our yes should be yes and our no should be no. Our lives should be a reflection of the Lord, not the world.
• Wealth. God blesses His people, that is not the issue. It’s when money or possessions get in the way of following our Lord. Living a life of comfort versus a life committed.

Hate | Sorrow | Anxiety | Laziness | Cruelty | Corruption | Radical

Forceful | Disbelief | Arrogance | Temperamental | Disloyal

As the vale drops from our eyes, we see how God intends for us to be. Our lives have a purpose and our Father in heaven wants us to be with Him. If it weren’t so, He wouldn’t have all our names written in the book of life. God wants us to know His word which is why we have the Bible. He wants us to know what is right and wrong. He wants us to know what is bad fruit and how it’s not healthy for us.

The revelation of seeing Bad Fruit is not to condemn, but to free. It is a gift from our Father that we are able to see His word. In all situations, let us encourage one another and share the message of God’s promises. Let’s give glory to our Lord and Savior who has a love that is beyond understanding. Both to our fellow family in Christ, also for the hope of the world. Who gives mercy and grace in abundance.

When you see the fruit of brokenness, pray for the fruit of restoration. When you see someone lost, pray for guidance to the Cross. When you see someone oppressed, pray for freedom through Salvation. Call on the name of the Lord, ask Him to lay His mighty hand on the lives of others. Pray that our Father in Heaven blesses those who don’t know Him, opening their eyes to see Him. Pray for the people of this world, so they can experience the Good Fruit which only comes from our Father above.

Lord, thank You for showing us Your way. When it comes to my walk with You, I have so much to learn. I seek to dwell in Your presence. I pray for guidance in our direction, serving the way You want us to serve. I pray for preparation, to reveal the areas of our life that are worldly and include bad fruit. Father, I pray that our eyes, ears and heart are open to Your message. Let us rejoice in Your blessings and find joy in the trials that bring us closer to You. You have a purpose for each and everything You do. We give You all the praise and the glory Father. Your ways are perfect. We love You and thank You for your provisions, Your redemption, Your healing, and Your everlasting Love. Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace. Lead us in the way you want us to go and I pray for protection in our journey. We pray this in Your Son’s precious and Holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.