Daily Devotional - Possibilities: The Garden of the Heart - Week 27 - Day 183 - 7/2/26 - “Known By Your Fruit”

Author: Evangelist Jamie Hoffman

“Known By Your Fruit”
Scripture: Matthew 7:16-20, NIV

“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.”

Devotion:
In today’s Scripture, Jesus is teaching his disciples to discern false prophets. He lets them know the importance of recognizing a person’s character by the fruit they bear. There are many false teachers and people claiming to represent God. They appear to be good, but their fruit tells a different story. If I claim to be a child of God, others should not see me sowing seeds of confusion and division. Instead, I should sow love and peace. A good tree bears good fruit, but a rotten tree bears rotten fruit.

As children of God, our fruit should follow the Fruit of the Spirit; we must be mindful of what we say, what we do, and how we make people feel. God created everything and everyone with a purpose, and He expects us to fulfill the purpose He has placed in us. In order to live a life of fruitfulness, we have to remain connected to the true and living vine, Jesus Christ. When we stay connected to Him, good fruit is inevitable.

Prayer:
Lord, please help me exemplify the Fruit of the Spirit. Lead and guide me in Your will for my life. Help me bear good fruit in You. Amen.