Matthew chapter seven discusses fruit. What kind of fruit do you have? Chapter seven discusses false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing. If you are a Christ follower, people should know that you are Christian wherever you go. The way you talk to the waitress at the restaurant when she is waiting on you and how you handle when someone cuts in front of you in traffic tell a story and reflect who you are. Do we have not-so-good days? Yes, but it is essential to be mindful of how we conduct ourselves. Anyone we encounter should know we are Christ followers by how we conduct ourselves and do business. How we handle day-to-day life things with people we know and don't know should know there is something different about us compared to the rest of the world. People are watching how you act, whether you realize it on not. Not only are our children watching us, but friends, family, and even perfect strangers look at how we behave. People can identify that you are not from this world. I encourage you to ask God to help you to be mindful of your conduct as you are in public and private. Anyone that we encounter should know that Jesus lives in us. It's perfectly healthy to take a self-assessment of your behavior and ask God to help you. He doesn't expect us to be perfect and never will be, but we can strive to bear good and healthy fruit in our lives. 

We live in a day and age where everyone professes to be a Christian, which is essential again to check people's fruit. If a person is saying one thing and doing another, praying for them may be a good idea. Are we all on different walks with God? Yes. Should we judge people where they are In their walk? No. We don't judge; when God is truly in a believer's life, a transformation will happen. We see all types of individuals that say they are Christian, but there's no transformation. You may ask, what do you mean by transformation? For example, you used to like to drink so much that you would pass out. The closer you get to God, he will change your taste buds. Let's say you liked the thrill of stealing; the closer you get to God, you won't want to steal anymore. You will not want to drink or do anything that disappoints God because your appetite for those things will change. Sometimes the church can get a bad rap. People may think I can't have fun anymore if I go to church. The church is full of rules and do's and don'ts. Everywhere we go, there are rules we must follow, whether in the church or not. But When God is inside of you, he will speak to you, and you won't want to do the same things anymore. You won't want to have the same toxic gossipy conversations. Will there still be struggles, of course, but God will give you the strength to get through it? I encourage you to check your fruit and be aware of those around you. Is what they are saying line up with what God says? Always pray for anyone who may be in error or is genuinely struggling in a particular area. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for being a good father, and you help us each day. I pray that you examine our lives and help us live lives you are pleased with. Please help us to bare good and healthy fruit in our lives. Forgive us for the times we fell short and didn't conduct ourselves in a manner representing your kingdom. From this day forward, please make us aware of your Holy Spirit. Make us aware of others and help us show love and kindness to those we come in contact with. I pray, father, that when people see us, they encounter you and that they see you through us. We thank you, father, and we pray that you help us to show genuine love to others and to also help those around us in Jesus name, amen. 

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.