FRUIT

Fruit is discussed in the first (Genesis 1) and last (Revelation 22) chapter in the Bible. There are laws and warnings regarding fruit (both literal and figurative) in Exodus and Leviticus. The Promised Land flows abundantly with the "fruit" of milk and honey (Numbers). Deuteronomy is all fruit, fruit, fruit ... (really, check a concordance for yourself!) Fruit continues to be discussed throughout the historical books of the Old Testament. Psalms begins with an analogy about fruit. Proverbs begins and ends with fruit. The major and minor prophets issued prophecy after prophecy after prophecy regarding fruit and fruitfulness. Jesus Himself is referred to as the "fruit" of Mary's womb (Lk 1:42) and "the fruit of His [God's] loins" (Acts 2:30). And Jesus peppered his own sermons and parables with illustrations regarding fruit. The apostle Paul was passionate about spiritual fruit.

And, here I thought I was going to simply choose a simple "fruit verse" to accompany this collage of fruit from my in-laws' abundant and verdant garden. [grin]

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;
for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please...
the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
self-control;
against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:17-25 excerpted


Let no one deceive you with empty words,
for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness,
but instead even expose them;
for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Ephesians 5:6-13


We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven,
of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel,
which has come to you,
just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing,
even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it
and understood the grace of God in truth; ...
we have not ceased to pray for you
and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
to please Him in all respects,
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,
for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;
joyously giving thanks for the Father,
who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
For He delivered us from the domain of darkness,
and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:3-14