Leadership: Fruit

I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

I am the Vine, you are the Branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:1-5 (NKJV)

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:19-23 (ESV)

Above and beyond all worldly leaders, Christian leaders MUST HAVE visible fruit: specifically, spiritual fruit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and (don’t forget)… self-control!

Unlike bosses in other professions, pastors and preachers are professing Christ– which is a totally empty gesture without reflecting His true character…

Which means our King didn’t waste His time:

  • Protesting against earthly governments.

  • Trying to change anyone’s heart or mind.

  • Condemning those whom others called sinners.

  • Trying to show how important He was.

  • Making displays of beauty, wealth, or strength.

  • Pontificating about anything. 

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

The gracious fruits of the Holy Spirit are cross-cultural Christian calling cards. They’re beacons of light that attract people. The first 8 states, actions or qualities…

  • Melt the defensive walls of hurt people,

  • Block hostile moves of aggressive people,

  • Open friendly doors to lonely people,

  • Invite lost, shy, and curious people.

The final fruit is the most difficult, and it requires daily cultivation– because self-control doesn’t come easy… but without it, the other fruit may wilt.

Look for all 9 fruits in your faith leaders, and carefully tend to them in yourself!

Leadership: Fruit (Part 21)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban