Focus on the Fruits: What God Really Wants to See

“By their fruits you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:16

You know, this verse from Jesus hits different when you really break it down. He’s not just talking about good deeds or being nice to people. He’s talking about the evidence of transformation that flows naturally from a life connected to Him.

Think about it this way – when you look at an apple tree, you don’t have to guess what kind of tree it is. The apples tell you everything. Same with our spiritual life. The fruits we produce reveal the depth of our relationship with God.

Here’s the problem many of us face: we get so caught up trying to appear fruitful that we forget to actually be fruitful. We focus on the external performance instead of the internal transformation.

Take Nick Vujicic, the incredible speaker born without arms or legs. Early in his journey, he could have focused on what he lacked. Instead, he chose to focus on what God could produce through him. Today, his fruits – hope, encouragement, and unwavering faith – have impacted millions worldwide. His limitations became the very soil where God’s greatest fruits could grow.

The Apostle Paul breaks this down beautifully in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Notice these aren’t things we manufacture – they’re things God produces through us when we stay connected to Him.

So with all that said, here’s what focusing on God’s fruits really means: It’s about creating space in your life for God to work, then trusting Him to produce what He wants through you.

The transformation happens when we shift from asking “How can I do more for God?” to “How can I allow God to do more through me?” It’s the difference between striving and abiding.

Here’s your small step for this week: Each morning, before checking your phone or diving into your to-do list, spend five minutes asking God, “What fruit do You want to grow in me today?” Then pay attention throughout the day to opportunities where love, patience, or kindness can flow through you naturally.

Remember, authentic spiritual fruit isn’t forced – it’s cultivated. Just like a gardener tends the soil and trusts the process, we create the conditions and trust God for the harvest.

What fruit do you sense God wanting to develop more deeply in your life right now?

Always,
Adam