At a discipleship group, I recently learned a new practice based on Luke 6:44, when Jesus says, “Each tree is known by its fruit.” Through following this process of identifying the bad fruit in our lives and understanding the roots of sin and unbelief underneath, we have the opportunity to see our sin for the destruction it really is, and repent of it entirely as we turn to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

I have included the prompt given to us from this “Fruit to Root” practice, and then my own thoughts about my present stumblings below. Note that the prompt itself is not my own, but is directly taken from the discipleship materials provided by my church.

FRUIT TO ROOT INSPECTION PROMPT

As we follow Jesus, we keep changing and growing.
Sanctification is a continuous process that will last until we die.
Go through this outline and pray for God’s counsel.
Recognize the bad fruit that you are producing.

Use these 4 questions to work your way down to the root:
4. What do I think, feel or do in this situation? What is the rotten fruit that is coming out of me? Be specific.
3. What am I believing about who I am?
2. What do I believe that God is doing in this situation? Be honest.
1. On a practical level, what does that say about who I believe that God is?

Repent of your unbelief, ignorance, or rebellion. Ask God to remove the bitter roots and heal your heart. Work your way back through the next 4 questions; putting your faith in Jesus.
1. Who is God really? Directly refute the false beliefs (lies!) that you stated in the last question.
2. What is the truth about what God does for you through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection?
3. Who does God make me to be?
4. As a result of all of who God is, what He has done, who He is making me to be, how are my thoughts, feelings, or actions transformed? Pray and commit.

---

What do I think, feel, or do in this situation?
Often I find that I am ceaselessly striving, even when it comes to abiding in Jesus. I know in my head and on paper that Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches.

Yet I frequently act as though the branches have to go on a breathless wild goose chase or a theological deep dive to be able to hang onto the vine; all while the vine tries to shake them off before making its grand escape.

What am I believing about who I am?
My perceptions of who I am are clouded, in this frantic narrative. Can a branch determine whether it sprouts from the vine at all? Can the barely budding twigs on the skinny branches reach down to control the direction of the trunk?

What do I believe God is doing?
My understanding of how vines operate is also skewed. Can a vine leap from one grove in the forest to another on a whim? Is a tree trunk able to uproot itself, dust itself off, and wander off to a city park somewhere like a lost puppy?

What lie am I believing about who God is?
What is wrong with this picture? Why did Jesus Himself give us the picture of a vine and its branches, and not a wild goose chase, or a wandering pet? What am I believing about the vine that is causing my anxiety-induced, hyperactive pursuit of it?

The lie burrowing into my heart is my belief that the vine – Jesus – is waiting to leave me at the very first chance He gets. The lie says He is fickle. Volatile, even. Constantly shifting, and always changing His mind.

Who is God, really?
These beliefs that have wormed their way into the recesses of my subconscious are a far, far cry from the true character of God. Christ promises that He is with us until the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). With our good Father, there is no variation or shifting shadow (James 1:17).

This is why Jesus illustrates who He is with a picture of stability: a vine. A vine is like the trunk of a sturdy oak. It is peaceful. It is steady. It is unshakable.

The vine is permanent, by its very nature. It does not move.

What is the truth about what God does?
Jesus Himself remains in the Father’s love (John 15:10). He does not run around like a chicken with its head cut off, feverishly attempting to bargain His way into His Father’s presence. He simply remains. He stays. He abides.

Not only does Jesus abide in the Father, but He desires to be attached to us. The vine is not trying to escape the branches – far from it. The vine is patiently, slowly, and consistently providing life to its branches.

He makes known to me the path of life (Psalm 16:11a). The path is Jesus Himself. He is the Way. He is the Life. (John 14:6).

Who does God make me to be?
And I…am a branch. Powerless, on my own. Made in the image of God with a soul that innately yearns to be with Him. Jesus has planted within me both the desire and the capability to be attached to Him. As a result of how He has crafted me, I do not need to labor or strain in my own power to be connected to Jesus. He has hardwired me for that connection. When that connection was broken in sin, Jesus laid down His life to bring me into the intimate relationship with Himself that He always intended, and always desired.

How are my thoughts, feelings, or actions transformed?
“Remain in Me, and I in you,” is not a call to ceaseless striving. It is simply a call to stay with Jesus, exactly where He has planted me. That is all He asks me to do.

In Your presence is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11b