Throughout the bible we learn a persons true motives and character are recognizable by the fruit they produce in their lives.  Not only the fruit of their lips but the fruit of their actions.  Basically God is telling us that talk is reeeeal cheap and actions speak much louder than words!  Recognizing fruit is how we are able to separate the godly from the ungodly and identify false prophets (Matthew 7:15-20).  It is also how we monitor the ugliness or beauty that resides in our own hearts because Luke 6:45 tells us that our mouths speak what’s in our hearts.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I’m angry it’s always easier to let the jabs fly a little faster because I’m not filtering what comes out of my mouth.  In the past, if I was arguing with my boyfriend there were no holds barred and what came out of my mouth was the rawness of a fleshly and savage heart.  I give this example because those closest to us usually know us best.  It’s easy to dress your heart up for the outside world but usually in the comfort of your home the make up comes off and there’s no hiding behind a mask.  At times of frustration and anger I have to check myself (sometimes too late) because God told me that a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit and vice versa.  It frightens me that my heart may be full of stale, old, rotten fruit which is why I started this study!  Each month I’ll write an article as a part of this three part series.  I want this to be an interactive experience so examine your heart, think about a time when you were angry or disappointed in someone close to you, what type of fruit are your words and actions producing in your life?

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name (Hebrews 13:15)

Part Two: How do I produce good fruit?

Part Three: The evidence of good fruit in my life