What is Falling From Your Tree?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness

and self-control."

Galatians 5:22-23a NIV

Most grade schools do not go into detail when teaching a child about trees. The lesson is usually broken down into parts of a simple tree. This lesson includes exploration of the trunk, branches and leaves. As they read books and explore the world around them they learn that different trees bear different fruits. They discover the apple, orange and pear tree. They learn about fruits being green, ripe or spoiled. They learn that some trees continually bear good sweet and ripe fruit and others are known for the rotten and spoiled fruit that fall from them.

As disciples of Christ when we decided to follow Jesus we signed up to be trees. Each tree bearing the fruit of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal 5:22). These fruits take their individual times to ripen and show forth in our lives. Some of us may have more patience than others. However, that does not mean we do not continue to prune the branch on the patience limb and wait for God to manifest it. Gentleness may not be your strong suit but you know it is a fruit that must come from your tree. Being a person of peace and kindness are fruits and by this people will know you are a disciple of Christ (Matt 7:20).


If you are a person who saps the joy from any situation or you struggle to show love on a daily basis it is because your tree is bearing bad fruit. In this life we encounter situation that act as pesticide to our tree, making it look pretty on the outside but spoiling its taste. The ones receiving your fruit get a sour, bitter and unpalatable encounter with someone who professes to be a disciple of Christ.

Where many go wrong in their walk is trying to constantly TELL others about their lives as a Christian. If you are living your life bearing the fruits of the spirit it will be obvious to your fellow man that you are walking in the footsteps of Jesus. No need for a bumper sticker or a t-shirt announcing your status as a believer. Those things are superficial and can be purchased by anyone. Authenticity comes from others seeing you helping your brother or sister in Christ. It comes from you having self-control when you really want to let the store clerk know how you really feel. People are always taking note of how you respond when you are not in your “church clothes”.

The ways to rest assured that your tree continues to bear good fruit is to prune your branches and water your roots. Pruning in the human life includes removal of things that hinder us from growth; negative influences that choke out the sunlight (Christ) and hinder the water (the Word of God) from getting to our roots. This process may not be easy but it is definitely worth it to make sure that you remain a good tree bearing good fruit.

(via  Sonique Sailsman )


Be Blessed!

Dawn