It’s that time of year here, on the West Coast, where the trees are offering up their annual bounty – and what a bounty it is this year! The unusual weather we’ve had this year has brought about much fruit.

While we know that the right weather conditions can produce a good harvest of apples, pears, and peaches, do we know what conditions can bring about a bountiful harvest of good fruit in our spiritual lives?

A backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

Proverbs 14:14 (ESV)

Fruit comes from the heart. And as much as it comes from the heart, it must also be displayed in our actions.

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (ESV)

Our heart will determine our actions and our actions determine our fruit. If you read through Proverbs 13 and 14 today, take note of how many times it is said in one way or another to be silent. Keep your mouth shut. Let your actions display your wisdom. It is not in words that good fruit is grown, but in what we do in love out of a heart of wisdom. Let all that you do be done in love and you may find yourself with a bumper crop of spiritual fruit.

Daily Bible reading: Proverbs 13-14, 1 Corinthians 16