Why We Must Inspect the Fruit: Walking the Narrow Path with Discernment

In the busyness of ministry, it’s tempting to equate activity with obedience, momentum with effectiveness, and open doors with divine endorsement. But Scripture challenges us to pause, pray, and inspect—not only the opportunity before us, but the fruit it produces.

Fruit Inspection Is Biblical

Jesus Himself gave us the instruction:

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
—Matthew 7:16–17 (KJV)

Fruit inspection is not judgment—it is discernment. It’s not driven by suspicion, but by submission to the Holy Spirit. It is how we separate good intentions from divine assignments.

Two Paths: Life or Death

The Bible makes it clear that every decision leads us down one of two roads:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…”
—Deuteronomy 30:19

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
—Proverbs 14:12

Even good works can become dangerous when disconnected from God’s will. When we move forward based solely on emotion, opportunity, or need—without seeking the Lord’s counsel—we risk aligning with what seems right, yet ends in spiritual barrenness or deception.

The Danger of Moving Without God

In Acts 16:6, Paul was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia. Think about that: preaching the gospel is good, yet Paul was stopped. Why? Because God's plan for that moment was different—He was sending Paul to Macedonia.

This is a sobering reminder: we can be doing good and still be outside of God’s will.

The Subtle Drift Toward the Spirit of Antichrist

The greatest danger is not in obvious rebellion—it’s in slow, subtle drift. When ministry becomes driven by human strategy, marketing tactics, or “what works” rather than what pleases the Lord, we begin to trade obedience for outcomes.

John warns:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God...”
—1 John 4:1

Not testing the spirit behind a work—whether it’s a person, a platform, or a plan—makes us vulnerable to the influence of the antichrist spirit, which always seeks to replace Christ with human will, pride, or counterfeit power.

The Call to Seek Precision

We are under a standing commission to go and make disciples, yes—but the how, the where, and the when still belong to the Lord. We must move in precision, not presumption.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
—Proverbs 3:5–6

Conclusion: Discerning the Times, Bearing True Fruit

Now more than ever, the Church must be Spirit-led, not self-led. Our ministries must bear fruit that remains (John 15:16)—fruit that glorifies Christ, aligns with sound doctrine, and multiplies faithful disciples.

We don’t just need more action.
We need more obedience.
We don’t just need to move.
We need to be sent.

So yes—we must inspect the fruit.

Because in a world full of good intentions, only the narrow path of God's will leads to eternal life.

🙏 Prayer: A Cry for Discernment and Obedience

Abba Father, in the name of Jesus,
I humble my heart before You. In a world filled with noise, need, and opportunity, I ask for clarity—not just to know what is good, but to know what is of You.

Lord, Your Word says there is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death. I don’t want to walk that path. I want to walk in step with Your Spirit. Teach me to test the spirits. Train me to discern the fruit. Align my heart with Yours so that I will not move ahead of You, nor lag behind—but follow You with joy and precision.

Forgive me for the times I’ve leaned on my own understanding, for the times I’ve run with emotion instead of waiting for Your voice. Let every plan, every step, every word be guided by Your wisdom. I do not want to build anything that bears my name but lacks Your presence.

Lord, uproot any hidden pride, any striving, any human agenda. Let only what is born of You remain. Guard my heart from deception, and fill me with the fear of the Lord—which is the beginning of wisdom.

I surrender my will, my ministry, and my desires at Your feet. Help me bear fruit that glorifies Jesus—fruit that will last.

In Jesus’ Almighty name,
Amen.

 

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