I remember a time when singing and the gifts of the Spirit were to be desired. People loved to hear us, especially Sandy Henson but – us sing! Battles, broken hearts, failures and miracles later, my only focus is on Jesus and the evidence that He is in my life. Someone recently told me I was wrong because speaking in tongues was the evidence of the indwelling Spirit.
Let me explain
Tongues can be mimicked. Preaching can be by wolves in sheep’s clothing. However fruit is very hard to copy!! Full disclosure, I believe in speaking in tongues as a prayer language, and I do. I have however seen many who spoke in tongues whose fruit didn’t match.
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down
Jesus taught that we are like trees. In all my studies, I have never found a place that said he came looking for the clothes you wear, if you speak in tongues, your past sins, or what church you go to. The Bible says he was looking for fruit.
How can the tree have both good and bad fruit = speak in tongues and be a backbiter
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Very good question – can a fountain bring forth good water and sour water at the same time?
Jesus explained it like this
A Tree and Its Fruit
Luk 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Lets tend to our own tree, our own souls and begin to grow real fruit – Gal 5:22
Picture borrowed from the internet…..