16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. (Matthew 7:16-20, NLT)

The Problem with Just Fruit

I live in Missouri. And Missouri’s nickname is “The Show-Me State”. This means that our state’s culture is to be pragmatic and skeptical. As residents, we typically want tangible proof and not just rhetoric. 

And this mindset can be applied to just about anyone. Especially, because as humans, we generally deal with what is visible and easily accessible. If what we see looks good, then it must be good. If what we see looks bad, then it must be bad. 

In other words, we only address the fruit: the actions we see, the words we hear, and the works that are produced. 

And for the most part we can rely on this. When an apple looks rotten on the outside, it’s guaranteed to be rotten on the inside. Jesus even tells us, in this passage, that we can identify a tree by its fruit and we can identify people by their actions. 

We can trust the fruit. 

Yet, if we dig a little deeper, we can see that this passage is about the fruit that is produced. The end result of what is grown; the indication of the health of the root. As we look beyond the fruit, we see that this passage is also speaking to us about what we cannot see. The underground systems, the hidden layers, the invisible events that occur to produce the visible fruit. 

When we only deal with the fruit and avoid what has produced it, we can cut down and destroy what has the potential to be good. 

A just fruit approach to life and leadership means we avoid doing deep work. We avoid difficult conversations. We place expectations on others to produce a fruit from a root they don’t have (see verse 16). And when they don’t, we label them as bad, not good enough, or lacking potential to grow. 

A just fruit approach is a symptom based approach, leading to short-term fixes that reoccur and potentially cause greater issues.

The Benefit of Addressing the Root

As we move beyond a just fruit approach, we can see that there is hope for better fruit! Verse 18 tells us that good can’t produce bad, and bad can’t produce good. However, we know that if we live by God’s Spirit, He will produce His (good) fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23). 

While a bad tree can’t produce good fruit, spiritual rebirth will transform someone’s root system so that the root becomes good, and thereby producing good fruit. And spiritual rebirth requires addressing the root. The old (bad) root must die away so that a new (good) one can form. 

Addressing the root takes hard work. It requires that someone has the courage to have a difficult conversation. It requires that someone has the courage to face their internal challenges and hurts. It requires time and intentionality so that a new fruit can be born. 

But the benefits far outweigh the effort. When the root is addressed, we are able to deal with the real driver of the issue. We deal with insecurities, fears, misconceptions, old hurts, and so much more. 

Addressing the root provides space for the Holy Spirit to engage in transformative work - in us, for us, and through us. 

Root work provides sustained change, builds ownership and accountability, enhances trust, and improves the creative process. Root work creates an opportunity for tremendous growth. It may not happen quickly, but it will be sustained and long-lasting. Root work ensures that as we grow together, we will help each other produce the good fruit that Jesus speaks of. This fruit creates change in our homes, lives, families, and communities. It is a fruit that demonstrates the kingdom of heaven wherever we are.

Weekly Power Shifts

1. Identifying the "Just Fruit" Approach

Reflection Question: Where in your life, relationships, or leadership are you currently focusing only on the "fruit" (the visible symptoms, recurring frustrations, or behaviors) rather than investigating the "root"?

• Your Action Step: Identify one recurring problem or conflict you are facing this week. Draw a simple tree on a piece of paper. In the leaves (the fruit), write down the visible behavior or problem. At the bottom (the roots), write down 2–3 potential hidden drivers behind it—such as fear, a past hurt, exhaustion, or a desire for control. Commit to addressing the root rather than just managing the symptom.

2. Facing the Invisible Layers

Reflection Question: Addressing the root requires courage. What internal challenge, insecurity, or difficult conversation have you been avoiding because it feels too uncomfortable or painful to dig into?

• Your Action Step: Block out 20 minutes of uninterrupted silence this week for a "spiritual root check." Bring this specific discomfort to God in prayer. Use Galatians 5:22-23 as a mirror and ask the Holy Spirit: "What needs to die away in my heart so that Your fruit can grow here?" Write down the first honest thought that comes to mind, and share it with a trusted mentor or counselor for accountability.

3. Shifting from Willpower to Holy Spirit Surrender

Reflection Question: In what areas are you trying to force "good fruit" through your own sheer willpower and effort, rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your root system?

• Your Action Step: For the next 7 days, practice a "Pause and Yield" habit. Whenever you feel triggered to react out of frustration, insecurity, or control, pause for 5 seconds and pray a simple, breath-prayer: "Lord, I cannot force this fruit. I yield my root to You right now." Shift your focus from trying harder to surrendering deeper.