October 14, 2024 – By Their Fruit

By Their Fruit
October 14, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:30-34
 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “A penny saved is a penny earned.” “A stitch in time saves nine.” “Make hay while the sun shines.” What do all these statements have in common? They all advise us to be diligent with our time and resources, utilizing what God has bestowed upon us to the best of our abilities.

 

    In today’s verses, Solomon mentions that he passed by the field of a slothful person and the vineyard of an individual lacking understanding. In simpler terms, he visited a place where the owner was either lazy or a poor manager of their time and resources. What did he encounter? He found a place that was neglected, deteriorating, and falling apart due to the occupant’s lack of attention. Does it mention that he saw the man himself? No. Did he observe the person being lazy? No. So how did he determine that this person was slothful and lacked understanding? He drew his conclusion based on the evidence of what this person’s life had produced.

 

    When Christians fail to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, it not only casts a negative light on us in the eyes of the world but also reflects poorly on our perception of God. The Bible, in identifying believers says, “Ye shall know them by their fruit.”

 

    The world thinks the same way. They won’t pay attention to what we say if it doesn’t align with how we live.

 

    This principle can also be applied to our lives in general. Our outward behavior should reflect an inward transformation. If our external actions do not match our inner convictions, then something is amiss.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    What do people perceive when they look at us? Is the life we lead filled with the sinful weeds of the world? Are there neglected walls of resistance to sin? Or do they see Jesus in us? What others see in us is a reflection of the image of our God. The bible says in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

 

What does your life shine a light on?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: October 14, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 10 – Mark 13
  Proverbs 24:30 – 34

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 37-39
  Col. 1