The Power Behind the Action
What matters most isn’t what you do, but Who is fueling it.
“It is not the nature of what you are doing that determines its spirituality, but the origin of what you are doing.” Major Ian Thomas
Same Action, Different Fruit
Two people can do the very same thing—pray, preach, give, serve—and one act can be Spirit-filled fruit while the other is empty noise. Why?
Because the results aren’t determined by the action itself, but by the source.
Jesus said it this way: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The branch doesn’t strain to produce grapes—it simply bears them. The fruit comes from the Vine.
You can water a plastic plant all day long—it’ll never grow. The action looks the same as watering a real plant, but only one has life in it. The source makes all the difference.
When It’s Clear, and When It’s Not
Sometimes, you know beyond doubt the Spirit is leading. A boldness, a peace, a holy nudge. Other times, it feels foggy.
Was that God—or just me and my morning coffee?
I’ve had moments where I was sure it was the Lord—and fruit followed. Other times, I wasn’t sure at all. But here’s the grace: if it’s Him, He’ll bring the fruit. If it’s not, He can redeem even the barrenness, teaching me trust.
The Hope in This
The good news is this: God is far more committed to producing fruit than I am to figuring out whether I’m “doing it right.”
My job is trust. His job is life.
Paul echoed this: “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent… not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:5–6).
And again: “If I… give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).
The fruit always comes from the Source—never the performance.
Reflection