When I start following a new Instagram account, there is one criteria I always keep in mind:
What does this account help me think about or do?
In other words…
What is the “fruit” of following this account?
I seriously think about this all the time!
There have been some accounts I’ve started following because they seem funny…
But then I notice they make me feel more judgmental or rude at the expense of others.
There have been some accounts that I’ve started following because they seem like they have positive messages…
But then I realize they have me focusing on things that don’t matter way too much, or spending more money than I need to.
It’s the fruit!
That’s how I judge “the tree”.
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22)
Those thorns choke the goodness, and cause it to become unfruitful.
And on the flip side, I’ve followed so many amazing accounts that have helped me focus on becoming better, feeling connected, and laughing in uplifting ways!
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:23)
The goodness even compounds!
The fruit is good, and it helps other fruit to grow, too!
I’m not going to lie, it can be really tricky to always clearly discern what is worthy of our time and what is not.
Work. A fun TV show. Working out. Social media. Perfectionism. Hobbies. Hanging out.
An easy measuring stick for me has been:
Does it cause me to become fruitful or unfruitful in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
And then, the answer seems clear.
Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
