March 25th, 2024

Written by Jennifer Hoyt

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -unless indeed you are disqualified, But I think that you will know that we are not disqualified.


Our church youth group embarked on an unforgettable journey to Word of Life for Snowcamp in the Adirondacks, and it was nothing short of epic! It was a weekend jam-packed with thrilling activities like tubing, ax throwing, and even polar plunges. But wait, there's more—mini sports tournaments galore, including basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, soccer, and you name it! Rallies were held that rivaled secular concerts. Imagine the pulsating beat of the music, the swirling haze of fog machines, and the kaleidoscope of lights casting a glow over the crowd. Kids would be on their feet, cheering, while mini volleyballs bounced around in a heated competition between the red and blue teams.

But amidst all the excitement, there came a moment of hush as the message of the gospel took center stage. In a room bustling with hundreds of teens, silence descended as the truth was spoken. And then, hearts were stirred, and souls were moved to respond. The sight of teens streaming down the aisle, answering the call to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior brings tears to my eyes even now, a few weeks later. The first night alone, two from our group took this life-changing step. My heart swelled with joy and gratitude, as I witnessed God's work in the hearts of these teens unfolding before me.

The next day brought a blend of fun and spiritual nourishment, with breakout sessions tailored to meet teens right where they were on their spiritual journey. From questioning seekers to committed believers seeking growth, everyone found a place to belong and grow. Each camper engaged in devotions every morning and evening with their Bible Institute camp counselor, deepening their faith and connection with God.

As the weekend drew to a close, a powerful and convicting message stirred our souls on Sunday morning—a message that continues to resonate within me. It's a message we all need to hear, so today, I'm excited to share it with you, best I can from memory:

Matthew 7:16-19 says: “We know a tree by its fruit.” “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.


Trees bear fruit after their kind. Apple trees won’t produce oranges and pear trees won’t produce lemons and on. We know this to be a simple fact of science and nature. The Bible tells us this is true in the spirit too. We are like trees producing fruit after our kind. What kind of fruit are you producing?


First, let’s take a look at our trees and the types of fruit they bear. What does the bible say the world’s tree looks like?


From the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) we have: false worship, idolatry, misusing God’s name, violating the Sabbath, dishonoring parents, murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and coveting.

Galatians 5:19-21 The Message (MSG)
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

The Message translation of Galations 5:21 says “This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.”

Verses 19-21 in the NKJV translation doesn’t do anything to lessen the impact… “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

I really liked the MSG and the NKJV translation, but feel free to grab any translation you prefer and take a look. Here are some corresponding verses to dig a little deeper with. In real life I’m a basketball coach. If you’re at a game my team is playing in, you will hear me from the sidelines calling our directions to encourage my players. I yell for them to swing the ball or run a certain play or to get a rebound and clean up the boards. I also cheer when someones makes a shot or plays good D. Right now, let me call out from the sidelines to you, as we are running this Christian race – dig a little deeper. Grab the Bible or your app and take a look: Revelation 21:8, Ephesians 5:3-6, Galatians 5:19, Corinthians 6:9-10, Mathew 15:18-19, Peter 4:2-4, Romans 8:13, Timothy 1:9-10.

We know a tree by it’s fruit. Healthy trees bear good fruit and unhealthy bad. You won’t get bad fruit from a healthy tree and likewise, you won’t get good fruit from a diseased tree. If this is truth, what does a Christian’s fruit look like?

What does the bible say a Christian’s tree look like?


Galatians the New International Version 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.


Dig a little deeper: James 3:17-18, John 15:5, Colossians 3:12-17, John 15:5, 2 Peter 1:5-8, and Matthew 12:33


Describing the atmosphere in that room full of teenagers is tough to articulate. You have a mix of individuals—some who may have never encountered the concept of God before, and others who have grown up surrounded by faith, yet perhaps are hearing it anew with fresh ears. What I can say, is, it was remarkable to witness these young minds eagerly absorbing truth—the truth that our actions and choices hold significance in the eyes of God.

As the preacher delivered the sermon, he urged the audience to reflect on their lives, "What kind of tree are you?" and "What fruits do you bear?" “What kind of tree will you be when you leave here?” His words hung in the air, prompting soul-searching. Then he said a thing I can’t shake: “Most of you are tempted to pick and chose between the lists. You know, I don’t murder, but I have a temper. Sure, sometimes I gossip, but who doesn’t. Sure, sometimes I swear, listen to the wrong kind of music, watch porn, disrespect my parents, lie and on… but, I can be kind. Thing is, a good tree doesn’t bear bad fruit and a bad tree doesn’t bear good fruit. It’s not a pick from the two lists kind of situation. You’re either one or the other!”

The first part of Galatians 5 tell us to “stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. It means – don’t go back to what you’ve been set from!

So how do we do that? How do we cross over to a place where our tree is producing the fruit of the spirit? The key is in the last word of the fruit of the spirit – SELF-CONTROL. WE must become diligent in our pursuit of God! We can either invest our time in pursuing the world and all of it’s emptiness (though pleasurable for a season) and look just like the world, bearing its fruit OR we can invest (sow) our lives into the pursuit of God. Here’s the deal, if you’re running a game called church on Sunday and hell on Monday – is it any wonder you’re not really feeling God? Is it any wonder your fruit reflects the nutrients you’re feeding it? Is it any wonder that something inside still feels wrong?

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever c you want.

We cannot hope to bear good fruit if we don’t practice self-control.

Romans 12:2 holds that key for us: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Each day we are feeding ourselves from one source or the other. Each day we have an opportunity to practice self-control and for our mind to be renewed and transformed by God. Let me encourage you to knock, seek, ask. Those that seek God with their whole heart – find Him. Let me encourage you to walk in the Spirit so that you don’t gratify the desires of the flesh (v.16). In closing, sin breaks down our relationship with God. It makes us hide. Adam and Eve hid. They sowed fig leaves together to try and fix it themselves. God walked through the garden in the cool of day and said “Adam where are you?” and it wasn’t because God didn’t know. Its because Adam needed to realize where he was. Today, if you’re reading this, what does your fruit look like? Where are you at?