Taste and See If You Are Good

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
(Note: The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control-Galatians 5:22.)

*God provides us the choice of how we choose to govern ourselves. We can choose to dictate our own acts of how we handle people, or we can utilize the guidelines of how God tells us to implement the fruits of the spirit. Notice that the fruits of the spirit do not include any measures or acts that go outside of the boundaries of control and the promotion of the elements of unconditional love. Notice how God judges your heart and thoughts of your mind according to how or if you utilize these elements. Why the heart and the mind? Because in the heart is where the truth lies of how you feel about certain people or situations. You can rationalize things in your head and hide them with your appearance, but the heart provides the true passion or disgust for something or someone without compromise (see 1 Samuel 16:7). The thoughts of the mind can be hidden from people through the appearance of doing good works, but your secret notice may produce stinking and thinking. Our heart and mind tells our true test of faith and brotherly love. Notice how love is the first fruit and the rest follow. We must first develop true love before we can get a grip on any of the other elements of the spirit, and even begin to embrace all the levels of rewards that God has for us. Love is the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-40). Therefore, examine the types of fruits you are given off and their ripeness. This  determines the motive behind your faith, and how you are rewarded. Are your fruits sweet enough to produce a delicious season, or are you producing a product that promises to yield little or no return?