Fruits of the Follower

We the people have no control over the actions of those in power, but we do have control over our own actions…unless the Lord intervenes. As a follower of Jesus, I am submitted to Him body and soul to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. I have forsaken my life to live an obedient life in Christ and therefore should possess all the fruits of the Spirit. You will know a tree by its fruits. A good tree will produce good fruit and a bad tree will produce bad fruit. Rooted in Jesus, I shall bear much fruit. If your roots go down into bad soil, it won’t take long to show outwardly to others. We can easily discern people by the fruits they produce according to what they are rooted in. I have witnessed people turn from followers of a set of beliefs to worshippers of men. In my neck of the woods, I am surrounded by Trump worshippers. Very few people around here are Biden supporters. You would have to drive North towards Austin where there are more drag queens and less Jesus. Truly, the city slogan for Austin is, “Keep Austin Weird.” A command I haven’t located in the Bible. The scripture says, “Be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

Initially, I didn’t want to watch the Presidential debate because I knew it would make me uncomfortable. I am not one to stay at a train wreck for long. I figured we could catch everything the next day on the news because the drama between these candidates can be felt through your television anytime they share the same air. My husband and I decided we would stay informed and go ahead and tune in. Before it started, I looked at Jeremy and said, “I’m so nervous. This is going to be a hot mess.”  We watched the entire debate and went through all the emotions you can expect as you realize one of these people is going to oversee our country. Come Lord Jesus Come! Afterwards, we listened to a panel of people discuss the debate and their conversation went from utter chaos in the Democratic Party to “we need to pray.”

I long for the days when a God-fearing man was in office, I long for the days when there was multiple to choose from, but those aren’t the times we live in now. These are the times that many of the prophets spoke of when God warned them of what was to come. “They purposely ignore the fact that long ago God gave a command, and the heavens and earth were created. The earth was formed out of water and by water, and it was also by water, the water of the flood, that the old world was destroyed. But the heavens and the earth that now exist are being preserved by the same command of God, in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the day when godless people will be judged and destroyed.” 2 Peter 3:5-7

The definition of a “follower” is “one who follows the opinions or teachings of another, or people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.” A synonym for “follower” is “disciple,” and the definition of a “disciple” is “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.”  May your fruits reflect the one you follow, and I pray it is God and not man. God will lead you in the right way, and man will lead you in his way. Over the years, I witnessed people turn into Trump worshippers, flying Trump flags at their homes and defacing property by painting this man’s name everywhere. This behavior shows their loyalty towards whom they follow, just as the cross around my neck shows to whom I belong and where my loyalty lies. I am a disciple of Jesus, not men. This is a man that claims to be a Christian but when his mouth opens, it is foul, and ugliness spills out. “Rid yourselves then, of all evil; no more lying or hypocrisy or jealousy or insulting language.” 1 Peter 2:1 These candidates have shown themselves to be false in speech, desperate for victory in their name, and the outcome of this election will produce some unsavory behavior from the losing party. Their followers will incite riots, hate, and the dividing line will cut so deep that many will fall so far into it they will be lost there. According to the party that wins, loyal followers will either line up to purchase flags, hats, and shirts displaying their love for Trump or they will fly their rainbow flags displaying their support to treat their body like an amusement park. The win for one side will mean even more lives lost to abortion and celebration of every sexual sin in the Bible, while a win for the other party will mean victory for a false god. “These men are like dried-up springs, like clouds blown along by a storm; God has reserved a place for them in the deepest darkness. They make proud and stupid statements and use immoral bodily lusts to trap those who are just beginning to escape from among people who live in error. They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits-for a person is a slave of anything that has conquered him.” 2 Peter 2:17-19

We have corruption and power-hungry men in leadership that are driven by pride and the love of money. They bear the fruit of evil, and their followers eat that fruit and become contaminated with it. A Godly man does not lie, and both candidates have shown their fruits by their actions on the world stage.  Their followers are so desperate to have their candidate win that a political race has turned into a battle of mudslinging and finger-pointing. Historically, politics was something you didn’t discuss, but now people have no restraint in their speech and are quick to slander and tear down anyone that is not on their side. It divides families, and it plants seeds of hate in our children as they overhear adults hash it out over who did what. Choose wisely whom you follow, so that you are an example of righteous actions and holy living knowing that you are under the watchful eyes of the Lord. You have children and grandchildren that weigh and measure everything you say and do. Submit your mouth to the Lord so that you don’t get caught in the fiery trap of the tongue. “We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and to curse our fellow man, who is created in the likeness of God. Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My brothers, this should not happen!” James 3:8-10 We are all guilty of an unbridled tongue at some point in our life, but I am a witness to the power of the Spirit within me that has proved to be faithful when you choose to be a follower of the Christ. You will reflect His image and partake in the fruits of the Spirit, and self-control is one of those fruits. I used to be prideful, but He took that from me. Now I work to please Him and not myself. When others see this change in you, it will either make them mad because you stepped out of the darkness into the light, or they will witness this transformation and desire the peace you now possess. We portray the fruits of the one we follow, and that can ignite a pattern of peace and love by proving it outwardly towards others. “He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and He prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit.” John 15:2

I have read multiple scriptures regarding our leaders, and I cling to the knowledge that God is in control of all things. I know He sets up and takes down Kings. I know He can confuse the minds of those that are vessels for His purpose, and I know that He will use these vessels to carry out prophecy. Do you think the Bible was written according to how He thought we would do things in the end times, or do you think He makes come to pass that which He said would happen? “So also, will be the word that I speak-it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.” Isaiah 55:11 I assure you, it doesn’t matter what you want to happen, God’s will is going to be done.  We must do our part to be self-controlled followers of the Lord, be an example of holiness to others, and pray the Lord’s will is done through the vessels He allows to be in office. They are either vessels for His glory or vessels for destruction.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people; for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct. This is good and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4