I recently uncovered a textbook from my Bible College Days titled Bible Manners and Customs. I don’t remember being overly fond of the laborious details in that book! But there was a purpose for its study. It brought to light the differences between the world and times of Bible peoples and our modern-day cultures. As one example, the ancient Israelites were primarily an agrarian society. The Bible is filled with references to farming- soil, weather, water, etc. One such familiar analogy that is used in both the Old and New Testaments is fruit-bearing. Now you and I walk into a grocery store (or even a farmer’s market) and select from a great variety of merchandise. In fact, we often have fruit from around the world available right there at our fingertips. But in Bible times, fruit was seen as a harvest blessing, a product of seed that had been planted and watered and had matured; and it was found only in its season. With all of this in mind, I want to talk to you today about three things that bear fruit, according to the Bible. Wisdom bears fruit.
“I wisdom dwell with prudence… Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength… I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold… that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” (Prov. 8:12-21)
The seed of wisdom is planted by our thoughts. As we apply the fear of God to the choices of life, as we sow and water every choice with the Word of God, as we pluck up the weeds of worldly wisdom and self-will, fruit comes forth- durable riches, honor, righteousness, safety, substance, etc. The fruit of wisdom is abundant life in Christ. “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord” Prov. 8:35.
Righteousness bears fruit.
“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Phil. 1:10-11)
Sowing seeds of godly behavior and good works bears fruit to the glory and praise of God. When the things that we do (our actions) are glorifying to God, we will receive His peace (James 3:18) and righteous reward for our obedience and labor. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work… Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness…” 2 Cor. 9:8-11.
The Tongue bears fruit.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Prov. 18:21)
Our words are the seeds. Their consequences are the fruit. As Proverbs 13:2 says, “A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.”
The Bible says we will all eat the fruit of our own way. What kind of seeds are we sowing? We will harvest the fruit of our thoughts, words, and deeds.
“Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings” Isaiah 3:10. ~V.K.S.
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