Grow: Becoming More Like JesusSample

GOOD FRUIT and BAD

One way to measure how closely we're really following Jesus is to take an honest look at our lives. (You could ask another person to give you feedback about this, too - your leader, a pastor, a mentor, a friend).

Jesus said, "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit". He's talking about people, not trees. And "fruit" symbolizes our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. 

"Good fruit" are things like love, joy, peace, patience, honesty, kindness, goodness, justice, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. 

"Bad fruit" are things like selfishness, pride, greed, anger, envy, gossip, unkindness, and hatred.

As we follow Jesus and grow closer to him, his Spirit living in us will help us produce more and more good fruit, and less and less bad fruit. The changes in thoughts, attitudes, and actions will continue for a person's whole life because God is never done teaching us, shaping us, encouraging us, and transforming us into the person he created us to be - someone who consistently loves him and loves others.

TO THINK ABOUT

What "good fruit" are the least natural for you? Why?

What things would you add to the list of good fruit?

How does the Spirit help you produce good fruit?