By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them

1 Jn 3:22-4:6 / Mt 4:12-17, 23-25

“Should,” “must,” and “ought” are words for which we seem to have an inordinate affection. We like to use them a lot when we’re giving free advice to our friends or when we’re evaluating the decisions of others, whether they be coaches or politicians. Somehow, we have plenty of answers for other people’s questions. But what about our own?

Every day, whether we like it or not and whether we’re ready or not, we have to make all sorts of decisions large and small. Very few of them fall into the category of “life-determining,” such as choosing a mate or a profession or deciding to have a family. But many of our tiny, seemingly insignificant choices have a way of adding up into whole lifestyles with major consequences.

So how do we discern what is true and what is not? John’s Epistle tells us: “Do not trust every spirit, but put the spirits to the test to see if they belong to God.” The Holy Spirit will guide us in doing that, if we’re willing to take the time and to listen. And the most pertinent question the Holy Spirit will help us ask of ourselves concerns consequences. The old saying is right on the mark, “By their fruits you shall know them.” Does this choice or that life pattern produce “good fruit” and have good consequences? Are life and love built up or are they broken down and worn away by this or that choice?

The Holy Spirit will save us from the demon of self-deception if we are willing to invest in listening time with an open heart.

May your heart be open and listening, now and always!