Known By Your Fruit

There are nearly 2,000 varieties of fruits in the world and each grows on a tree or a vine that is specific to a particular fruit. It's not always easy to tell exactly what the tree is until it blossoms. As the fruit tree matures it produces more and more fruit.  Eventually it produces a harvest if it is properly cared for and nurtured.

We are like fruit trees to some extent. Each of us produces some kind of fruit in our lives.  We are known for the fruit we produce. Jesus Christ picks up on this in the following parable:

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7)

In a way, God is like a botanist. A botanist is able to look at a plant to determine what kind of plant it is without having to see the fruit it will eventually produce. God, similarly, is able to look on the inside of or our hearts to determine what kind of person we are and who we will eventually become. He is a human botanist.

Most of us, however, are not human botanists. We cannot peer into the recesses of another person's heart so we are left to make judgments based on the fruit that we see. This is what Christ was referring to in Matthew 7 above. He was warning his disciples to watch for those that do not bear fruit because they are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing. These are those that we should avoid.

Christ wasn't just warning his listeners to watch for others, he was also telling them to examine their own fruit. You see, there are really only two types of fruit humans produce -- Good and Bad. The apostle Paul explains the difference in his letter to the church in Galatia. He begins with the "bad fruit."

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5)

Yuck. Definitely not the kind of fruit we want to produce. Rather, all of us should strive to produce "good fruit" that Paul describes in the very next set of verses:

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... (Galatians 5:22,23)

This is the fruit God produces in our lives when we live for him. We are kind, filled with love, live at peace with others, patient with ourselves and those around us, faithful in all we do, gentle and meek, and exhibit self-control. This can only be accomplished by God's Spirit, which is why the verse starts out with, "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives..." Living by the Spirit produces Spiritual fruit!

Similar to a fruit tree that matures over time, we also grow and mature in God's grace. Bearing fruit may take a little time so be patient as you grow. If you have stalled and unable to produce the fruit Paul describes, seek God "who give generously to all who seek him."

You may also need to prune those dead branches in your life that prevent you from producing good fruit. Sure, we all have them. Friends that drag you down, drinking excessively, having casual sex or watching pornography, talking about other people behind their backs, foul language, etc.. You know what they are in your life.

Hey, I'm not judging...I've got my own branches that need pruning. I also know "pruning" is not easy. In fact, it's incredibly painful. But it needs to be done in order that I might bear the kind of fruit God desires in my life. He wants to bear fruit in your life as well. Submit to his will and you will produce a beautiful harvest!

Overcoming Fear and Anxiety

Fear is a powerful human emotion that affects all of us at one time or another. It can be helpful in certain circumstances, like avoiding danger. Unfortunately, it can also be very irrational and quite debilitating. Anyone who has ever suffered with an anxiety disorder or panic attacks can attest to the consequences of uncontrollable fear.

Where does fear come from? Is it something we are born with or is it the result of our circumstances and environment? Why do some people appear to be more “fearful” than others? These are all good questions and depending on who you ask, you are sure to get different answers.

Sociologists argue that fear is an instinct that developed early in primate evolution. It helped less evolved man survive various threats around him – like getting eaten by saber toothed tigers and other hungry predators. Psychologists, on the other hand, suggest that fear is the product of complex, environmental factors. For example, a child that was abandoned by a parent may develop fear and anxiety as he or she matures into adulthood.

There are many answers, but what I discovered was not satisfying for the most part.  So I looked to the Bible for more insight into the source and (hopefully) the solution to this universal, human condition. What I found was intriguing and very insightful.

The very first time “fear” is mentioned in the Bible is in the book of Genesis. From what I can tell, fear is a by-product of sin. When Adam and Eve were first created by God they were naked, felt no shame, and had absolutely nothing to fear. They walked with God in the Garden of Eden and enjoyed all of God’s wonderful creation. They were at perfect harmony with God and the world in which they lived.

Then they sinned and everything changed. Once they ate of the fruit God commanded them not to eat, they realized that they were naked, felt ashamed, and hid from the Lord because they were afraid:

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” (Genesis 3)

From that point forward, man has been plagued with fear. Now it is a natural part of what it means to be human. Fear begins when we are young: The Boogie man in the closet, monsters under the bed, fear and separation anxiety when mommy leaves the house. It doesn’t stop there. Teenagers attending a new High School may be overtaken by fear – new school, fitting in with other kids, and peer pressure. As we get older, our fears grow, but we learn to hide it from others. We fear losing our jobs and not being able to pay the mortgage or rent. Single adults are afraid that they may never meet the “right person” to share love and life with, while married people can be overtaken with fear of infidelity. In our senior years, the fear of illness and death are just about universal. There are as many fears as there are people in the world.  It is everywhere and has little to do with age or circumstance.

That’s the bad news. Fortunately, the Bible also contains some good news. Since fear is the result of sin, it can be cured by fixing our relationship with God.  Sure, psychology and medications can offer some temporary relief from fear and anxiety, but ultimately the solution lies with God. After all, Adam first experienced “fear” when they had sinned.  Therefore, getting right with God is the best cure for this human frailty.

No God -- Know Fear
Know God – No Fear

Once we fix our broken relationship with God, He begins to work in our lives in a mighty way. He removes our fears and worries as we put our trust in His hands. Perhaps that is why Paul exclaimed, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Peter demonstrated the truth of this statement. As we know from Scripture, he denied the Lord three times because he was afraid of arrest and punishment. However, on the Day of Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit, he was immediately transformed and emboldened – unafraid and unashamed! He no longer denied the lord, even to the day of his death. This is the power of God in a Believer’s life.

So what are you afraid of? Have you put your faith and trust in God? He is really the only one that can provide rest from your cares and fears.  As your faith grows, your fears will diminish over time.  Be patient because it is a process.  Ultimately, your life will be transformed by God who gives all who seek Him a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.  Now that is how you can experience a full, abundant life; unashamed of who you are and unafraid of what's to come!

Thank You Letter to Miley Cyrus

Dear Miley,

I would like to thank you for your recent performance at the VMAs. I realize that you've received a considerable amount of criticism and outrage since then, but I wanted to express my sincere gratitude. Hey, don't get me wrong. I am in no way excusing what you did. I truly did find it disturbing on so many levels. However, I am nevertheless thankful because you have made my parenting job a little easier and confirmed that some of the choices I have made are right on.

I am a Father of a precious young girl that I absolutely adore. Like many parents, I struggle with what to let my daughter watch on TV and listen to on the radio. It’s not always easy to find the right balance so I decided years ago to error on the cautious side of things. I did not let my daughter watch popular programs like Hannah Montana or listen to popular teenage music from Katy Perry. Thankfully, I feel vindicated by my decision to limit my daughter’s exposure after your hyper-sexual, over-the-top performance.

You see, the day after the VMAs, I spoke with several parents who were shocked by your performance. They confided that they did not know how to explain your actions to their teenage daughter that grew up idolizing Hannah Montana. Young girls were confused and parents were a little freaked out.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to explain your performance to my daughter because she wasn’t watching. My daughter’s purity is precious to me, which is why you, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and others are not allowed in my home. I don't find it at all amusing when young girls sing, "Put your hands on me in my skin tight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight….yah, yah, yah, let’s go all the way tonight.” That's a "Hell to the no!" in my house.

Please understand that I live by the Christian principle, “Raise up a child in the way he or she should go and when they get old they will not depart from it.” I believe that what goes into a child’s eyes and ears today will come out tomorrow. I know some parents believe that they should be tolerant so their daughter doesn't rebel. Maybe, but if this scripture is true, she will find her way back home if I give her the right direction now.

While I am grateful that you provide a perfect contrast between virtue and vice, I can’t help but feel as though you've sold out (and sold your body) for the shallow lure of fame and fortune. Sadly, You are being used by people in the industry only looking to cash in on your looks and celebrity. Those guys that are filling your head with lies will bail on you when there is no more money to be made. Learn to say "No!" now or you will find yourself washed-up and alone...just another Lindsay Lohan.

I know it is easy to judge your celebrity, but that is not my intent. On some level, I get it. You desperately want to distance yourself from that cute, lovable character you once played on TV. How far are you willing to go to prove that you are not her? Do you even know your limits? I really hope you eventually figure it out. In the meantime, my young daughter’s impressionable mind is off limits!

Again, I thank you because I needed the reassurance that I'm not just an overbearing Christian parent. My concerns are well-founded and I can safely say that you are not the right role model for my daughter.

Sincerely,
Ella's Daddy