Matthew 7:16 says, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” 
Reading this, I asked myself, “How many of us are producing edible fruit? You’re probably asking, “What do I mean by fruit? And how do we create fruit when we aren’t trees?” Well, the bible says in Psalm 1:1-3, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither– whatever they do prospers.” See, as children of God, we ought to be like a tree planted by the river because a tree that is planted there have roots that runs deep enough to make it unmovable. And just like the tree, our roots should be so deep within God that no matter what happens to us, it doesn’t blow us like leaves.
Oh, you know how it is when things begin happening in our lives, we run like a leaf being blown in the wind. When trouble comes, we stop going to church. When death shows up, we grieve as if there’s no hope. When finances are out of whack, we start acting as if God isn’t our provider. But when we are rooted, our leaves of faith don’t wither when the seasons of life change. When the storm of situations show up, it won’t knock us out of our place. When the fire of burdens ignite, it won’t burn off our covering of faith because we’re rooted in a God who never fails! And when we bear fruit, it’s edible. What kinds of fruit? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “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!” This is why, beloved, you are known by the fruit you produce. And trust and believe, people will know if it’s good or bad based on where you’re planted.
Lakisha, the Author 