Proverbs 11:2-3 – “After pride came, disgrace followed; but wisdom came with humility.  ³ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I kept hearing the word – FRUIT! That set the course for my meditation.   In Proverbs 11:2-3, I was challenged by contrasts and progressions.   Disgrace follows pride, looking for an opportunity to prevail.  Humility follows wisdom, seeking opportunity to manifest itself.  Integrity is an inner GPS or Pathfinder!

In (vv 5-6), we see the power of True Righteousness.   In Proverbs 12:1, we observe the power or fruit of discipline!   In (v 14), we see the Fruit of words, and in (v 11), the value (fruit) of completing and focusing on our assignment rather than chasing any fantasy.

In Proverbs 13:2-6, we come face-to-face with the fruit of our words.   In Proverbs 15:1, we see the fruit of our reaction to every situation.   It is predictive of the outcome!  In Proverbs 16:7, we recognize the fruit of faithfulness.  In Proverbs 19:17, we discover the fruit of generosity.

Those are examples of Fruit, but the question is, “How Do We Become That Person?” The answer is in Romans 12:1-3.  Notice the pathway and progression.

• Total Submission to God.

Give Him Everything.   Give Him every possession. Give Him every thought.   Give Him every desire.    Give Him Everything.  Give Him 100% control and surrender.    How could that be unthinkable when our eternal soul hangs in the balance?   Do we trust Him?

• Determine that we will stop participating in Conformity to the World, the Flesh, and the devil.

But set our hearts to participating and cooperating in our Transformation! Dying to Self is a process.

• Begin Renewing or Reprogramming the mind.

What do we think about?  What do we think?  Why do we think what we think?  What will build us up, and what will tear us down?

Then follow the guidance of Romans 12:3-8. The gifts – The What and the How.   Start doing what we are!   Do not tell God what we do not have; do what we know we can and what our heart draws us to do.

If you are a planner, plan.   If you are an encourager, encourage.   If you are a giver, give.   If you are a prayer, pray.   If you are a singer, sing.  If you are a fixer, fix.  See it?  Be it!

As you become, the Fruit will be produced.  Transformation will transpire, and you will climb higher and higher spiritually.