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June 29, 2023
Character
My child you will know someone by their fruit so pay attention to their actions, which reveals their true character! There is something so delicious about eating fruit in its season. It’s yummy, and good, such as ripe strawberries in May, peaches in June, and watermelon in July. Before its season fruit is not ready for use. My Son Jesus taught firmly that when considering someone for any kind of leading position that it is necessary to patiently observe the fruit in that person’s life. (Matthew 7:20 NLT) Even if they are eager to serve, their attitude will dictate what you are going to get when you put them in a leadership position, and this includes when hiring someone for a job. Anyone can be kind for a season. If you really want to know what is inside a person’s heart – be observant and watch the way, they relate to others, and communicate with all manner of people! If they have an agenda and like to control or manipulate – do not promote them. Don’t ignore what you see or hear! Talents and gifts are important, but character is the most important asset a person has.
In Greek, the word ‘fruit’ means the physical fruit of the plant or the tree and is used to portray the fruit birthed by a person’s life which includes their personal deeds, actions, moral character, behavior, and output of work they produce. It also means ‘happen upon some kind of knowledge or make a discovery’. Very simply good fruit belongs to good trees and bad fruit belongs to bad trees – the fruit does not lie! For as a man thinks in his heart so is he! (Proverbs 23:7 NLT)
Timing in a person’s life is crucial – if you pick fruit before its time, it will be bitter – but if you wait until the right time, it will be sweet and enjoyable. John Mark is a good example of someone with great potential – however, it was not his time. Paul and Barnabas took him with them on their ministry trip – he abandoned them early in the trip and went back home. (Acts 13:13 NLT) Perhaps, it was before his time! For many years Paul refused to allow John Mark to go on any trips and He stopped traveling with Barnabas but when he was in a Roman prison preparing to die, he wrote Timothy a letter instructing him to bring John Mark with him because he is profitable to the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11 NLT)
Many years had passed, and John Mark had grown and was spiritually mature. When he first went with them on the ministry trip, he wasn’t ready to be part of a significant leadership team though he was called from the beginning. (Acts 13:5 NLT) It just wasn’t his time! Never rush to promote or hire someone before his or her time! Open your eyes and allow the Holy Spirit to help you observe the fruit a person produces! If you see an alarming sign – pay attention and don’t overlook the warning from your antennas going off and the red lights flashing because what you see and hear is likely what they will produce. What kind of fruit are you producing for others to see? A good tree produces good fruit!
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