You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.
Matthew 7:16 (NLT)
You can’t fake what’s in your heart.
Most behaviour comes from heart beliefs. The Bible says you’ll know someone’s heart by their fruits, their behaviour.
Now, you’re not supposed to be judging other
people’s hearts; you’re supposed to use that test on yourself. So, how can you know what’s in your heart? Check your behaviour.
If the behaviour isn’t coming from something you believe deep down in your heart, it’ll be easy to change. But if you keep going back to the same old behaviour you’ve been trying to change, you’ll know that you need to work on your heart.
Changing heart beliefs can be difficult. I’m not going to sugar-coat it. But you’re a child of God. You are filled with His power! You can make hard decisions, get up, make changes, and move on for Jesus Christ! You are called to do it, and the courage that you need is there. Just be it. Be courageous, as God told Joshua!
You can rise up and move on. As you obey God’s call on your life to go further with Him, He will promote you. When your heart and behaviour are where they should be, you’ll move on in Him.
God is calling you, and when you are obedient to that call, you’ll have the fruit of the Spirit: joy and peace, patience and gentleness. These will come straight from your heart, as well as a desire for the cause of Christ.
When people meet you, let them meet Jesus. Let them see the fruit of the Spirit you’ve been developing. Let that love, joy and peace radiate out of you so people can experience the likeness of Jesus in you.