Fruitful

Christians are often challenged to "be fruitful." The next thought is usually, what kind of fruit can I, or do I, produce? Paul also reproduces this teaching in Galatians 5:16-26 by contrasting the works of the flesh and the works produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Reality is that all people produce some kind of "fruit" by our words and actions. Some fruit is honorable to God, some is not. It is encouraging that those who have the indwelling Holy Spirit produce fruit which is made good by God's further actions. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matt. 7:15-20 and "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Gal. 5:22-23