Identified by Actions
What is Jesus teaching us here?
Verse of the Day
‘Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.’
Today’s Devotional
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:15-20)
There is a difference between discernment and being judgmental. Jesus is telling us to look at people’s actions, which would include our own actions. What do your actions say about what you actually believe?
For today, instead of looking at the actions of others. Let’s look at our own.
If we say that we believe in God, what actions in our life validate that belief? Are we grateful? Do we give God credit for our skills and abilities? Are we comfortable with being abandoned in praise and worship? Do our actions show that we trust in an all-powerful Father?
If we say that we believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, do we read it? Do we study it? Do we seek advice and counsel from the Bible? Do we meditate on it? Do we declare the truths of the Bible over ourselves and others despite emotions and circumstances that seem to contradict God’s Word?
If we say that we are Christians, do our lives model and imitate the life of Jesus? Do we serve sacrificially? Do we point back to the Father in everything we do? Do we love and serve and have compassion for those who are unlovely? Do we seek times of prayer alone with the Father? Have we surrounded ourselves with other people who are also seeking God? Are we actively advancing the Kingdom of God?
Since my head is now spinning after everything I just wrote, I am going to propose an experiment to myself that I invite you to participate in. I am going to look at my actions objectively. What all did I do yesterday? Now, with a sense of detachment, what do those actions say about what I actually believe?
My actions sometimes show that I think my worth is determined by what I accomplish. My actions sometimes show that I think I need to control things. My actions sometimes show that I think comfort is more important than obedience. My actions sometimes show that I am concerned about the opinions of others more than what God says. And then there are times when my actions show that I think that serving others is a tangible way to express my gratitude to God.
If we can be identified by our actions, then it’s time to take a look at all of our actions and decide if we can be easily identified as followers of Jesus. If not, then it’s time to repent and invite the Holy Spirit to redirect us to actions that correctly identify us as the beloved sons and daughters that the Father says we are.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
Write down everything you did yesterday. What do your actions tell you that you actually believe?
Can you easily identify others by their actions without being judgmental?
If there is “bad fruit” in your life, what are you willing to do about it?
What is Jesus teaching you today about your actions?
How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you with your actions today?