Choose Wisely

Last night after the Donald Trump flub at Liberty University, I wrote & posted this on Facebook ...

"Two Corinthians walk into a bar and one says ..."
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Believe it or not, I have actually heard other people refer to other books in the Bible as One Thessalonians and Two Kings and these were educated people. And lest anyone think I am being "pro-Trump" here, I equate what happened today with those who do not pronounce the "h" before huge and humble or refer to God Almighty as Daddy to the point it sounds more irreverent than reverent. It is what it is.

Do you want to know if someone is truly a born again believer in Jesus Christ like they profess to be? You can tell by their fruit ...

““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 thornbushes, 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 NLT

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”
Galatians 5:19-26 NLT

So let's take a good, long look at the fruit we are producing and cut off any of the dead things that are hindering our growth so our eyes can be fully open to the leadership of those around us. This isn't about being judgmental but wise to those whom you allow to influence you.

The more I thought about what I wrote I realized this applies to all areas of our lives, not just a presidential election. Of course, I knew this but I am became convinced and convicted of this even more so this morning. We often spend our time pouring into our young people the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to whom they spend time with but I'd say as adults it's just as imperative if not in some cases even more than it is during our teen years.

It is just as important that we surround ourselves with people who are going to build you up. However, it is just as important to ask yourself if you are building others up. Here are few other things to ask yourself about when it comes to your closest friendships ...

• What is it that y'all laugh the most at? Would it be things that please the Lord?
• Are you aware of the spiritual state of your friends? If not, why? If yes, how are you encouraging them in their walk?
• Do you respect your friends convictions/do they respect your's? Or do y'all try to convince the other as to why you are right and they are wrong or vice versa? I do not drink. It's a very deep and personal conviction that I have. However, I spend time with those who drink. I have friends who do not drink in front of me and never tease/pressure me to try to something. My friends are also kind enough to give me a heads up if I am invited somewhere to which alcohol will be served and consumed. I have never asked them to do this nor have I asked them to not drink in front of me. We just have a mutual respect for our convictions and do not impose them on the other.
• Would strangers be uplifted from being around you and your friends or left with more questions as to what difference Christ has really made in your lives because all they ever hear is what's wrong at "your" church ... you know the waiter/waitress at the restaurant you eat at on a regular basis ... or your Facebook acquaintance who is privileged to read all of your statuses/rants? 

These are just a few ways we can check on ourselves to see if we have fruit in our lives or not.

I know I have a few things that need to be pruned out in my life.

I love you all.

Blessings ...

- Melody Faith