08/18/2025
Monday Message – 8/18/25
Last night during service, Sister Kristyne Smith preached on the fruit that we choose and bear. One tree bears the fruit of Christ, but the other tree bears the fruit of sin. It was by one fruit that the fall of man happened—one fruit that was partaken of. Genesis 3:6 says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
So when we are living our lives and doing things daily, are we taking part of a fruit that would prevent us from doing what we must for the Lord? Whether that fruit be our phone, gossip, gluttony, unforgiveness, or anything else—it is whatever we put before God. The truth is, if we are being real, it can be anything that takes His place in our heart.
Don’t turn your nose up at this or act like you are above it, because there is something every single person must keep under submission so that it will not lead them away from Christ. Even Paul, the great apostle, spoke of a struggle when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
This brought to my mind what Scripture tells us about fools. Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” If we are honest with ourselves, are we living more like fools according to the Word, or more like Christ?
Jesus said in Matthew 7:17, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” The question we must ask ourselves today is simple: what tree are we feeding from, and what fruit are we bearing?
John 15:4–5 gives us the answer: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” We cannot bear good fruit apart from Christ. We cannot overcome sin in our own strength. But when we abide in Him—when we stay in prayer, in His Word, and in obedience—He will flow through us and produce fruit that glorifies the Father.
The world offers fruit that looks sweet but rots quickly. Pride, lust, attention, and worldly success might satisfy for a moment, but they always leave us empty. Galatians 5:19–21 warns us about the works of the flesh, but verses 22–23 give us the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” This is the fruit we are called to bear, and it is the evidence that we belong to Christ.
So today, examine your fruit. When others look at your life, do they see Christ’s love, joy, peace, and faithfulness—or do they see the works of the flesh? If your fruit hasn’t been what it should be, remember that God is the Master Gardener. He prunes, He restores, and He gives new life. If you will surrender to Him, He will shape you into a tree that brings forth good fruit.
As we begin this week, let us choose carefully which tree we will eat from and which fruit we will bear. Let us be intentional to walk in the Spirit, stay rooted in Christ, and let our lives testify of His goodness.
