Not Far From the Tree

By Pastor Eric

After working outside in the yard for several hours, I decided to take a break–maybe grab a bite to eat. All I needed was something to curb my appetite until dinner, nothing too big. We had a bowl of fruit on the counter and the oranges, which came from the store just the day before, were looking really good. Nothing like a fresh, sweet, delicious orange! I picked up an orange, ready to dig in and enjoy its sweet refreshment–only to be completely disappointed as my fingers sank into the side of the orange and my hand was covered in sticky slime. I couldn’t believe it; the orange was rotten. It was a brand-new piece of fruit, how could it be rotten? 

As I dug through the bowl of fruit, I noticed that the new oranges had been placed on top of some old fruit that had gone bad. In just a day, the mold from the old fruit spread over to the new oranges leaving them both in really bad condition. Needless to say, I didn’t get to eat my orange. 

Who do you surround yourself with each day? It matters more than you know. 

Just like bad fruit next to good fruit, people who are negative all the time, constantly critical, consistent complainers, can “infect” your attitude as well. The rotten mold can spread quickly–leading you to behave, feel, and think in ways that are outside of your normal character. This “bad fruit” is not life-giving, not fit for consumption, has no nutritional value, and can hinder you from growing into the person you have been called to be. Scripture says,  “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared” (Proverbs 22:24-25). Associating ourselves all the time with bad fruit can be a danger to our emotional and spiritual health, keeping us from growing into the full sweet delight of the Lord. 

As “good fruit” we are pleasing to the Lord, a witness to him and his goodness. As “bad fruit” we stand to leave a bad taste in the mouth of the Lord, spreading our rottenness to those around us. God calls us to give life, not infect it with the mold of sin. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1Peter 2:9).

As you go into the weekend and next week, take an inventory of who you are surrounding yourself with. Find company with those who will encourage you, speak life into you, bring hope, love you, provide accountability, and those who will help you grow into the beautiful person, the “good fruit”, God has created you to be. “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces” (Proverbs 13:20 MSG).

Brothers and sisters, don’t be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1Cor 15:1).

FIND SOME GOOD FRUIT TO SIT IN A BOWL WITH! 

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