Nuggets from Proverbs

Day 1 – What Fruit Are You Bearing?

As I start this series on Proverbs, I’m reminded of my own spiritual growth since the day of my salvation. I reflect on my own sinful heart and realize that although Christ has forgiven me much, I must work at “defeating that sinful nature” and “nurture my Christ nature.” It does not take a rocket scientist to see a person’s spiritual fruit. You are either producing good fruit or evil fruit. Your life speaks volumes and also reveals from where your fruit is coming, my friend.

Which one are you today? Are you a wise son or a foolish one? Do you hate it when the Pastor preaches on a subject matter that rubs you the wrong way? Do you cross your arms in a defensive stance when the message he’s preaching is about something that you are guilty of doing?

Whether spiritual warnings are from your Pastor, the Word of God or a dear friend, the way you respond will determine the condition of your heart. It will also determine what type of fruit you will be bearing. It also reveals if you have a teachable spirit. The Holy Spirit is trying to mold us into the image of Christ so we must allow Him the room to do so.

If you hate what you are hearing and have a “He won’t tell me what to do!” attitude, then you will be eating of the fruit of your own way, according to Proverbs 1:29-31. Your desires are not to stop sinning at all – in fact, your desire is to continue in your sin with no shame or remorse. When you despise being taught God’s Word and what is right, you are a fool, according to Proverbs 1:7, and you must do a moral inventory in order to see if you are truly born again.

I love Galatians 5:22-23 because it clearly outlines the type of fruit that a child of God bears when they are growing in Christ. Yes, the child of God will undoubtedly sin, but the desire to continue in sin won’t be there. This same child will be quick to repent and to get back on the path of righteousness. There is nothing more beautiful than to see a born-again Christian displaying the fruit of the Spirit. How can one be a bad testimony to the unsaved world if he has the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance?

You can park here and do a study on these nine fruits and walk away with many golden nuggets. But the bottom line is this: What kind of tree are you and what fruit are you bearing? 

If you are saved, you should be producing fruit. If you’re not, why not?

A tree bears more fruit when it is pruned. 

What areas of your life are hindering your fruit from growing? Don’t be a fool. Allow the preaching and reading of the Word to convict your heart. Take that conviction and heed it – repent and be rid of that sin. Immediately, you will receive the fruit of joy and peace – the others will soon follow if you maintain and allow the Lord to prune those areas which hinder the growth of your spiritual fruit.

The Man Is Ever Blessed
by Isaac Watts

The man is ever bless’d
Who shuns the sinners’ ways,
Among their councils never stands,
Nor takes the scorner’s place;

But makes the law of God
His study and delight,
Amidst the labors of the day,
And watches of the night.

He like a tree shall thrive,
With waters near the root;
Fresh as the leaf his name shall live;
His works are heav’nly fruit.

Not so th’ungodly race,
They no such blessings find;
Their hopes shall flee, like empty chaff
Before the driving wind.

How will they bear to stand
Before that judgment seat,
Where all the saints, at Christ’s right hand,
In full assembly meet!

He knows, and He approves
The way the righteous go;
But sinners and their works shall meet
A dreadful overthrow.