This article continues the teaching from my last two Fruit Inspection articles — focusing on fruits #22–#32.
How to use this teaching article:
When you meet with your small group, spend a whole session discussing each “fruit.” Share honestly how you are progressing and what you can do to increase your fruit-bearing efforts.
Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
What if every Bible study or sermon we heard was followed by a session where we gave an account of how we are obeying what we’ve learned?
Philippians 1:11 (NLT)
“May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Colossians 1:6, 10 (NLT)
“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. … 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”
2 Timothy 2:6 (NLT)
“And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.”
Hey friends, the Bible is full of reminders about bearing fruit wherever God has placed you. I especially love that last passage — remember to enjoy the fruit of your efforts!
Assess Your Progress
1️⃣ = Increasing • 2️⃣ = Neutral • 3️⃣ = Decreasing
Circle one for each fruit.
1 Timothy 4:15 (NIV)
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”
#22 A Fruit-Bearing Disciple Promotes Biblical Masculinity (1, 2, 3)
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NASB95)
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
In a day when masculinity is under attack and even minimized in the Church, how have you demonstrated or affirmed biblical manhood?
➡️ Name two ways you are doing this.
#23 Work Out Your Salvation — God Is Not Opposed to Effort (1, 2, 3)
Ephesians 2:8–10 (NASB95)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
We don’t work for salvation—but we do work out our salvation!
➡️ Describe a good work you’re doing that God has prepared for you.
#24 Please God Rather Than Men (1, 2, 3)
Acts 5:29 (NASB95)
“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”
John 12:43 (NASB95)
“For they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”
Hey, gang—this isn’t about working for salvation. It’s about doing the very things that touch the heart of God and bring Him pleasure.
➡️ Name three actions you’re taking that bring a smile to Christ’s face.
#25 Discern False Ideologies and Teachings (1, 2, 3)
Colossians 2:8 (NLT)
“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”
➡️ List three false teachings influencing your family, church, or culture—and how you are addressing them.
#26 Remain Steadfast and Loyal to Christ (1, 2, 3)
Acts 11:23 (AMP)
“When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay true and devoted to the Lord.”
John 15:16 (LSB)
“You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would abide, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
➡️ List five ways you are intentionally attempting to finish strong.
#27 The Holy Spirit’s Fruits Will Be Evident in You (1, 2, 3)
Galatians 5:22–23 (LSB)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Definitions:
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Love – sacrificial and selfless words, actions, and dispositions for the biblical benefit of others.
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Joy – inner emotional confidence to live for Christ.
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Peace – you are no longer an enemy of God because you are rightly related to God through Christ, at rest with the condition of your own soul, and rightly relating to others.
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Patience – remaining tolerant and submissive when under difficult circumstances.
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Kindness – uplifting, demonstrative acts toward others.
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Goodness – moral uprightness guided by a biblical compass.
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Faithfulness – consistency in reflecting God’s character.
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Gentleness – humility and yielding flexibility.
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Self-control – demonstrated in the discipline of one’s appetites, physical health, exercise, personal temperament and moral behaviors.
The Holy Spirit used these verses in Galatians to change my life during the first month that I began walking with Christ.
➡️ Which of these fruits do you desire to increase?
#28 Energized to Advance the Kingdom (1, 2, 3)
Romans 14:17 (NIV)
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
When Christ reigns in you, your righteousness becomes a catalyst for change—moving your culture toward godliness.
➡️ Name three occasions where you were a change agent for Christ.
#29 The Spirit Prompts You to Take Risks (1, 2, 3)
John 3:8 (LSB)
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”
“Liminality” means standing in places of uncertainty. And while comfort and security often rank highest in the institutional church, the Holy Spirit keeps inviting us beyond our comfort zones, which is both thrilling and a little scary.
➡️ Describe one “liminal” experience where the Spirit is moving you beyond comfort.
#30 Living in the Fear of God (1, 2, 3)
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV)
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
2 Corinthians 5:11 (NIV)
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
To fear the Lord is to live aware that He’s watching, desiring obedience, and worthy of our reverent awe.
➡️ List two evidences that you are living in the fear of God.
#31 The Holy Spirit’s Power Comes Upon You (1, 2, 3)
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
There are moments when God’s Spirit strongly inspires you to act or speak for Christ.
➡️ Name such occasions in the last year.
#32 The Spirit Gives You Bold Words in Uncertain Times (1, 2, 3)
Luke 12:12 (LSB)
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
If God’s Word dwells richly in you, He’ll give you words of truth and courage when the moment comes.
➡️ Name two occasions when you spoke boldly in a challenging situation.
Discerning the Signs of the Times (A Powerfully Needed Fruit)
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NLT)
“From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.”
Matthew 16:3 (NLT)
“‘Red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!”
Six Signs of the Times to Recognize and Discuss:
1️⃣ Israel’s Restoration as a Nation (1948)
Isaiah 66:8 (NLT)
“Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? … Has a nation ever been born in a single day?”
➡️ Share this fulfilled prophecy with Jewish friends—God is at work in Israel.
2️⃣ Apostasy in the Church and the World
2 Timothy 4:1–5 (ESV)
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching… they will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
➡️ Encourage right doctrine and courageous faith among believers.
3️⃣ Massive Deception
2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9–10 (ESV)
“Let no one deceive you in any way… the coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders.”
➡️ Stand up for truth. Be vocal and clear in your witness.
4️⃣ Scoffers Will Increase
2 Peter 3:3–7 (KJV)
“There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts…”
➡️ Defend the faith with reasoned, loving truth.
5️⃣ Moral Breakdown
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV)
“In the last days there will come times of difficulty… lovers of self, lovers of money… having the appearance of godliness but denying its power.”
➡️ Uphold moral clarity—truth, family, honesty, hard work, and biological reality.
6️⃣ The Rise of One-World Government
Revelation 13:7–8, 16–17 (NLT)
“The beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people… He required everyone to be given a mark… No one could buy or sell without that mark.”
➡️ Support leaders who uphold national sovereignty and biblical truth.
Final Thoughts
There are many more fruits to identify—keep expanding your fruit vocabulary!
How did your self-inspection go?
Circle: Pleased • Motivated • Convicted
Remember: Christ is interested in progress, not perfection.
In Him,
Dale
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” — Matthew 7:20