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GOOD FRUIT and BAD
One way to measure how closely we're really following Jesus is to take an honest look at our lives. (You could ask another person to give you feedback about this, too - your leader, a pastor, a mentor, a friend).
Jesus said, "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit". He's talking about people, not trees. And "fruit" symbolizes our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
"Good fruit" are things like love, joy, peace, patience, honesty, kindness, goodness, justice, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
"Bad fruit" are things like selfishness, pride, greed, anger, envy, gossip, unkindness, and hatred.
As we follow Jesus and grow closer to him, his Spirit living in us will help us produce more and more good fruit, and less and less bad fruit. The changes in thoughts, attitudes, and actions will continue for a person's whole life because God is never done teaching us, shaping us, encouraging us, and transforming us into the person he created us to be - someone who consistently loves him and loves others.
TO THINK ABOUT
What "good fruit" are the least natural for you? Why?
What things would you add to the list of good fruit?
How does the Spirit help you produce good fruit?
Scripture
About this Plan
The Bible talks a lot about "growing" - learning more about Jesus, following him more closely, obeying him more naturally, and becoming more like him in our attitudes and actions. "Grow: Becoming More Like Jesus" includes verses about seeds, roots, plants, trees, and fruit, all great images for thinking about what it means to live for Jesus.
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