In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns us, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruits you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:19-20). This verse is a stark reminder that our lives must be measured by the fruit we bear. Are we cultivating a harvest for God’s kingdom, or are we producing fruit that is rotten, leading others, and ourselves, away from Him?
This is a deeply personal question for me. I have often struggled with the tension between wanting to bear good fruit and the reality of falling short. There have been seasons in my life where, despite my efforts, the fruit I bore was tainted by pride, selfish ambition, or complacency. It has taken deep reflection, prayer, and formation through the teachings of the Church to recognize the battle within us: the tension between bearing fruit for God and allowing the enemy to corrupt what He has planted within me.
The Nature of Good and Bad Fruit
The Church teaches that true human formation is holistic, it encompasses spiritual, intellectual, moral, and emotional development. A well-formed Christian bears good fruit because his or her life is ordered toward God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, “Man is created to know, to love, and to serve God in this life, and to be happy with Him forever in the next” (CCC 1). If we are aligned with this divine purpose, the fruit of our actions will be life-giving, nourishing, and filled with the grace of God.
Conversely, bad fruit originates from sin and separation from God. The devil seeks to distort the gifts God has given us, corrupting our good intentions and leading us toward pride, laziness, or despair. St. Paul writes in Galatians, "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy" (Galatians 5:19-21). These are the markers of bad fruit, the consequences of a life not rooted in Christ.
Personal Struggles in Bearing Good Fruit
There have been times when I have found myself caught in the pursuit of personal success rather than seeking to glorify God. Even in ministry and service, pride can seep in, making my work more about recognition than true discipleship. The Psalms often bring me back to the right perspective:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
I have also wrestled with complacency. It is easy to become comfortable in a routine of faith without truly seeking growth. The Early Church Fathers warn against this stagnation. St. Augustine, in his Confessions, describes the temptation of delaying conversion, of saying, “Lord, make me chaste, but not yet.” This hesitation can lead to fruit that is half-hearted, not fully surrendered to God’s will.
But God, in His mercy, always calls us back. Proverbs reminds us that “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). If I am to bear fruit that lasts, I must continually return to the Lord, pruning away what is sinful and allowing Him to cultivate virtue in me.
The Gifts God Has Given Us
Every person is uniquely gifted by God to serve others. St. Paul speaks of these gifts in Romans 12:6-8, explaining that some are called to teach, others to encourage, to lead, to show mercy, or to give generously. These gifts are not for our personal gain but for the building up of the Church.
I have often struggled with fully embracing my gifts. At times, I have felt unworthy. Who am I to speak, to write, to share the faith, to do this podcast? But then again, I remember my friend, St Augustine, who battled sin despite his teachings. But the Church teaches us that we are all called to evangelization. Pope St. John Paul II, in Christifideles Laici, emphasized that the laity have a crucial role in spreading the Gospel. We cannot bury our talents in the ground out of fear; we must invest them for the glory of God (Matthew 25:14-30).
One of the ways I have sought to bear fruit is through sharing what I have learned in my own journey, both my triumphs and failures. Transparency in faith is a powerful witness, and when we share how God has transformed our weaknesses, others are encouraged to seek Him as well.
Overcoming the Enemy’s Corruption
Satan desires to take the good things God has given us and twist them for evil. If he cannot make us abandon our faith, he will try to render us ineffective through discouragement, distraction, or deception. The Desert Fathers, early Christian ascetics, were keenly aware of these spiritual battles. They emphasized the importance of vigilance, fasting, and prayer as means of resisting the devil’s attacks.
One of my greatest battles has been with discouragement, wondering if the work I do matters, if the fruit I bear is enough. But Scripture provides reassurance:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
This verse has been a source of strength. Even when I cannot see the fruit of my labor, I must trust that God is working beneath the surface.
Cultivating a Life That Bears Good Fruit
How, then, do we ensure that we bear fruit for God? The Church provides us with several means:
Prayer and Sacraments – A life rooted in prayer and nourished by the Eucharist is essential. Jesus tells us, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine” (John 15:4). Without Him, we can do nothing.
Scripture and Formation – Proverbs 2:6 tells us, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Continual learning through Scripture, Church teaching, and writings of the saints strengthens our faith and refines our character.
Service and Evangelization – We are not meant to keep our faith to ourselves. Christ commands us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Our gifts are meant to be shared.
Examination of Conscience and Repentance – Regular confession helps us uproot sin and allows God’s grace to work more fully in us.
Be Humble - Humility is essential in bearing good fruit because it allows us to recognize that all our gifts and successes come from God, not from our own merit. Pride can corrupt even the best intentions, turning service into self-promotion or faith into self-righteousness. Jesus Himself demonstrated humility, washing the feet of His disciples and submitting to the will of the Father. When we are humble, we remain teachable, open to correction, and more willing to serve others rather than seeking recognition. Proverbs 22:4 reminds us, “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”
Conclusion
Each of us must ask: What kind of fruit am I bearing? Am I cultivating a life that draws others closer to Christ, or am I allowing sin and distraction to spoil the gifts God has given me? The answer is not always easy, but God’s mercy is boundless.
I have stumbled many times, but I trust that as long as I remain rooted in Him, He will continue to prune and shape me. The fruit we bear is not for our glory, but for His. And if we abide in Him, we can be assured that our labor will not be in vain.
May we all seek to bear fruit that lasts, that nourishes others, and that glorifies the Lord who has given us every good gift.
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This is Dr. Currie Myers. I am an applied criminologist and criminal justice ethicist. I have been on faculty in the criminology department at Benedictine College for over 13 years and was a career law enforcement officer for 24 years. Most importantly I have a beautiful family. My wife and I have been married for 37 years, and we have five children and 10 grandchildren. You can view my work on applied criminology at drcurriemyers.substack.com. Have a great and blessed week and please subscribe and share this podcast with others. And more importantly, if you are struggling in life and need someone to talk to, we have a chat function that you can contact me directly. And if you wish for me to speak at one of your events, please contact (catholicspeakers.com) to schedule.
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