Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Why do we want to compare fruits of the spirit with natural fruit? The words were given as an example of what the Holy Spirit does in use and we look upon the fruit as it were something to pick and consume, as if the tree were ours and we have the ability to go to our tree and pick as we choose. We see ourselves as consumers.

Does the tree consume the fruit or just produce it? Produce might even be the wrong word, trees bear fruit. As the apple matures on the branch until ripe and then falls off, to dies to the earth and produce seed, which is scattered and produces more trees. What if we were not consumers in this telling but just rather the tree?

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

It is no surprise to me that the very first Psalm tells us that a man is like a tree. Here is the comparative of man and tree, tree and fruit. Yet when we think about fruits of the Spirit we often think of ourselves as consumers, as if the fruits were there for us, to our benefit, ours to use, ours to make our lives more abundant.

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

The character of a tree is known by its fruit.

2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

“I am not an animal!” Good quote, used at least three times in movies, The Elephant Man, A man Called Horse and the original Planet of the Apes. I have to tell you that there are times when I think about some of the disgusting behaviors of dogs and I would scream the same words if accused.

While Peter is referring to those who had the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowledge is not the same as having placed your faith in Christ. What I might have been in a previous life did act like an animal, once I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, I became a new creature, not an animal, a child of God.

Too often men will use this verse to utter railing accusations against a brother or sister who has been caught in a sin, as if it were possible to turn a child of God back into a dog. It is to their shame that they use bible verses to punish and abuse a brother or sister who need mercy and grace far more than they need judgment.

The truth about being a sinner saved by grace is that our actions do not change our right of adoption. It affects our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but in no way changes our title. We grieve sin, in ourselves and our brethren, but this is meant to instill a mourning process, not judgment.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Sin can destroy the dog but can only deceive a child of God.