I’ve always been inspired by the references to fruit in the Bible. It is an easy way to understand how our lives appear to God and to the world. Jesus said that we would be recognized by our fruits (Matthew 7:16), and that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, just as a bad tree cannot produce good fruit (Luke 6:43).

What are some ways we can produce good fruit? In 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 we are given some commands that, if followed, will produce good fruit.

We should always try to be kind to everyone and we should seek to do good to one another. As simple as this is, there are a multitude of people who still don’t get it. I think in our culture we are trying to find reasons to condemn people, so that we can be lifted up higher. In the end, those who have this measure of grace, will receive this measure of grace (Luke 6:38).

Have you realized how blessed you are to follow Christ? Do you not see the people who won’t accept the things of God, and their fate is sealed?

Prayer is our first line of defense, but it is also a gift that God has given us to communicate with Him. We shouldn’t just pray when things get rough; we should be praying continually for all things! Throughout the day, we spend a lot of time in our heads thinking about pointless things. Sometimes we confuse ourselves even more, and there is no fruit. I challenge you to stop talking to yourself, and to start talking to God!

This is crucial because it is the Will of God in Christ Jesus. I’m learning to thank Him regardless of how my circumstances look. Read Romans 8:28, and start believing it!

The Holy Spirit is alive in us and ready to help us at all times. However, we usually seem to think that we can do everything ourselves, and therefore we suppress the Holy Spirit. When you yield to Him, and surrender your ways, you will start to see His ways. Psalm 34:8,9 says, “TASTE and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who TRUSTS and takes refuge in Him.” That’s a delicious fruit!

We should not depreciate prophetic revelations or inspired instructions. This was a warning for then as much as it is now. In the last days, men and women will prophesy (Acts 2:16-17), and many will speak harsh words against them. There will also be many false prophets. So how do we know the difference?

In 1 John 4:2 we are told how to test the spirits. “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”

Evil comes in many forms, and most people forget that it usually doesn’t jump out and say, “I’m evil, avoid me.” With all the forms of evil, how are we to know what is good? The more time you spend in prayer and in the Word, the more you will start to recognize what is evil and what is good.