Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he…” When I was young I had a rebellious heart (covert sin). I obeyed on the outside, but my inside thoughts were rebelliously opposed. Can you relate?

In order to emulate the Lord through Christlikeness, our message and messenger have to match. Our thoughts dictate our actions, attitude, and habits. Matthew 18:35 says that we are to forgive from the heart. That means that our thoughts towards the person who hurt us reflect the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23.

Is the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control evident in your life? We cannot bear fruit on our own. John 15:4 says, “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.”