Can a Christian bear bad fruit?

Can a Christian bear bad fruit? What a wonderfully controversial question. There are s many varied and passionate answers to this question. on the one hand, an answer that is often quoted I the following:"How can a good tree bear both good and bad fruit?"

Problem with this answer is that people are not as simple as trees. We have personal and individual choice. In theological terms we have free will. A tree does not. Thus a tree has no choice but to bear the fruit of its seed. In the book of genesis, God said that the tree will bear according to its seed. An apple tree will bear apples, not pears...but we are seed, seed from a sinful man and despite that we can be reborn as seed from Christ.

When we are reborn, we take on a new righteousness, a new out covering. In the spirit realm, our spiritual man takes on new clothing, so to speak, nut our inherent nature is often left unchanged. Our fleshly side, our soul man needs to be renewed everyday. Romans 12:2 says to renew your mind. Out of your mind, you so often speak. As a man thinks, so is he. This to truly bear good fruit, patience, kindness, love et al, you need to renew your mind daily.

A Christian who has not renewed their mind daily, will often begin to reflect (through their words, actions) more of the world's nature (selfish, self serving, incorrect priorities) and less of God's nature.

To maintain fresh fruit we need a daily devotional time with our Creator. This daily time is similar to an oil change. if you don't have an oil change in your car every 3 months sludge starts to build up, and the car will begin to malfucntion over time. Oil changes for us need to occur more frequently than cars, preferably on a daily basis. We are told to crucify our flesh, I prefer to say that we should lay down our selfish nature everyday, and pick up our Lords' nature. This can only come through spending time in His presence every day before we do anything else.

In Matthew 6 the author says to seek ye the kingdom of God, but the small word we miss there is 'first'. See ye 'first' the Kingdom of God. it should be and should remain our first priority each and everyday. Without getting your daily oil change first thing in the morning, everything you do could be tainted with self.

Now the bible says that we sow seeds with out mouth. Do you really want to be sowing seeds that have not come through the filter of a new oil change that morning? Worse yet, we are told that we will be held accountable for every word that does not produce? Scary thought - makes me want to get an oil change and maintain my filter everyday.

God fruit requires a clean and Godly 'filter'. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will come once He has gone. Obviously this meant for us to get refilled daily...as we are leaking vessels, ministering day by day. Have you had your oil changed and refilled this morning, or are you running on yesterday's service?

To continue this metaphor, high mileage vehicles need more attention and services. High mileage vehicles time in Christ presence. High mil age Christians (aka mature Christians) should want more devotional time. A sure sign of maturity is the obvious need for more of Christ. A sure sign of an immature Christian is the "I can get by with attending 1 service a week" attitude. You probably don't change the oil in your car every three months either? Then you wonder why your car needs more repairs than your neighbor.

To answer the early question - can a believer produce sour fruit? The answer is 'yes'. Sweet fruit comes from a sweet nature. A sweet nature comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit, daily! When you start to feel yourself getting frustrated, impatient, that is a sure sign its time for an oil change. When you find yourself apologizing for what you said, and repenting for behaviours, you know your oil has expired. You are running on dry. When your life starts to break down, its time for an engine overhaul...or its time to seek ye first the Kingdom. Do a Romans 12:2 overhaul. Get into 'Joshua 1:8 workshop'. Place yourself in intensive care (praise and Worship service). Your fruit demonstrates your engine (heart) condition so clearly...what is your engine saying about your condition?