8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light[a]consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10 CSB)
When we look at the outcome of our actions and interactions, what do we see? Is there all goodness, righteousness and truth? Do we test what is pleasing to the Lord and consider the fruit we produce?
If you have been reading these for any time you will see some conceptual threads that are woven throughout. The fruit of our actions is one I write about often as I believe that it is a true representation of what is within. If our thoughts and actions stem from the light within they will be pleasing to God, as they have their root in God. But if we are bitter, angry, self-serving or vindictive this is of the world and of the enemy. We are not allowing God’s light to shine through our fruit.
The darkness of the world will ever strive to seep in and snuff out the light. We must be stronger than the darkness within and must keep our focus upon God who is all goodness. And it is so true that our thoughts preceded our actions, if our mind dwells upon the negatives around us it will tend toward the darkness.
Thus, we must consider not that we do a good job and are successful. We must consider if our outcomes are are evident in the good fruit we produce. Does our striving show that we are children of the light?
