The Bible often refers to fruit in a non-literal sense. Bible preachers and teachers talk about fruit a lot, but rarely tell their listeners what it is.
So what is it?
Fruit is the consequences and impacts of something, whether good or bad.
Contexts often let you know what the fruits are.
Some examples.
Luke 3:8,11-14 KJV
[8] Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, ...
[11] He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
[12] Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? [13] And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
[14] And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
Repentance causes the fruit of certain changes in behavior.
Matthew 7:20-21 KJV
[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Submitting to Jesus' authority as Lord causes the fruit of obeying the Father.
Matthew 12:33-35 KJV
[33] Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. [34] O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. [35] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
A good heart causes the fruit of good speaking.
John 15:5, 11 KJV
[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Abiding in Jesus causes the fruit of full joy.
Romans 6:20-21 KJV
[20] For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
[21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Sinning causes the fruit of death.
Romans 15:26-28 KJV
[26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
[27] It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
[28] When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
Philippians 4:15-17 KJV
[15] Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. [16] For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
[17] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Desiring to help siblings in Christ causes the fruit of sending money.
Galatians 5:16, 22-24 KJV
[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
[24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Walking in the Spirit, that is, living according to the Bible, which was written by the Holy Spirit, causes the fruit of holy character.
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