"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." (Proverbs 23:7a, KJV)
Every fruit visible in a believer's life first begins as a seed planted within the mind often described as the soul part of the whole vessel.
Thoughts are not insignificant or detached from spiritual growth. They are the hidden roots from which words, actions, attitudes, habits, and ultimately character emerge.
God desires not only the transformation of our conduct but also the renewal of our minds, because the fruit of our lives will always reflect the thoughts we cultivate.
The apostle Paul exhorts believers, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2, KJV). The transformation of which Paul speaks is not superficial behavior modification. It is a deep inward work of the Holy Spirit whereby God's Word reshapes our thinking until our thoughts align with His thoughts. As the mind is renewed, the believer begins to discern "that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
The Hebrew word for thought, *machashabah* (Strong's H4284), refers to thoughts, purposes, intentions, and plans. Therefore, God is not only concerned with what we think but also with the motives and intentions behind those thoughts. When our purposes are submitted to Him, the fruit produced in our lives becomes pleasing to Him.
Romans 8 reveals the connection between our thoughts and the fruit they produce: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5, KJV). Whatever occupies the mind eventually directs the course of life. Fleshly thinking produces spiritual barrenness, while Spirit-filled thinking produces life, peace, and righteousness. Paul continues, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6, KJV).
Many believers desire more goodness in their lives, yet goodness is not produced merely through self-effort. It is the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 declares, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." The more a believer walks in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, the more goodness becomes evident in thought, speech, and conduct.
Watchman Nee often emphasized that the Christian life is not a matter of trying harder but of allowing Christ's life to be expressed through us. Genuine spiritual fruit is not manufactured by human determination. It grows naturally as believers abide in Christ and yield to the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Goodness increases as we cease striving in the flesh and learn to walk in dependence upon God.
The question naturally arises: How do we know whether our thoughts are producing good fruit or bad fruit?
The answer is found in the Word of God. Jesus said, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20, KJV). Good fruit is identified by its conformity to Scripture. Any thought that births obedience, faith, humility, love, righteousness, holiness, purity, mercy, and peace is producing good fruit. Any thought that leads toward pride, bitterness, fear, envy, rebellion, unbelief, strife, or compromise is producing bad fruit.
The standard is never personal preference, emotion, or worldly wisdom. The standard is always the Word of God. When a thought produces righteousness according to Scripture, it is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work. When a thought contradicts God's revealed truth, it must be rejected and brought into obedience to Christ.
Matthew Henry observed that true religion reveals itself in practical holiness and obedience. The inward work of grace inevitably manifests itself through outward fruit. Therefore, the evidence of transformed thinking is transformed living.
The Hebrew word for fruit, *peri* (Strong's H6529), signifies produce, increase, offspring, and yield. Fruit is always the visible expression of an invisible source. In the life of a believer, righteous fruit reveals the hidden work of God's Spirit in the heart and mind.
As believers meditate upon God's Word, obey His commands, and submit to His sovereign will, their spiritual fruit multiplies. They become like the blessed man described in Psalms 1
"1 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.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 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."
What are the thoughts you are pondering on today? What, who, where, when and why are your thoughts being cultivated?
One chapter of the Bible per day can renew and transform the way you think and process thoughts in your mind and produce the right fruits. Christ is in every Word of the Bible. Partake in Him and allow your thoughts to transition into His Kingdom mindset today!
Rev. Dr. Donna Ghanney
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