✅ “If You’re Doing It to Be Seen, You’re Not Bearing What God Desires
Not all fruit is good fruit.
Some is grown in the wrong soil—fed by ego, watered by applause, and harvested for human honor. And though it may look ripe on the outside, it rots from within under the inspection of Heaven.
In a world where image often outweighs integrity, it’s easy to mistake public recognition for spiritual success. But God isn’t fooled.
He doesn’t measure fruit by crowds or compliments, but by what’s born of obedience, humility, and love.
This post is a sobering reminder that the person who seeks honor from men because of what he thinks is fruit bearing is not yet bearing the kind of fruit God wants.
Let’s open the Word and uncover what real, God-approved fruit actually looks like—and why the applause of men can be the greatest distraction from the approval of God.
🔍 The Statement at the Center of This Study
“The person who seeks honor from men because of what he thinks is fruit bearing is not yet bearing the kind of fruit God wants.”
This statement is not just theologically true—it is biblically proven, ethically grounded, and spiritually urgent. Let’s break it down using the NRSVUE version of Scripture.
📖 Scriptural Evidence
1. John 5:44
“How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?”
Seeking recognition from others cripples real faith. True belief and divine approval cannot coexist with people-pleasing.
2. Matthew 6:1
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them…”
Good works done for applause? God’s reward is withheld. Motivation matters.
3. Matthew 7:16–23
“You will know them by their fruits… I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”
Even those who do “mighty works” in Jesus’ name can be rejected if their fruit isn’t rooted in a true relationship with Him.
4. Galatians 1:10
“If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Paul says it plainly: people-pleasers cannot be true servants of God.
5. James 3:13–17
“If you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful… This is not wisdom that comes down from above.”
Fruit that springs from ambition or envy is false fruit, regardless of how spiritual it may look.
6. Luke 16:15
“What is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.”
What humans call “success,” God may call detestable.
🧠 Theological Insight
Biblically and theologically, true fruit:
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Comes from abiding in Christ (John 15:5)
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Flows from the Spirit, not self (Galatians 5:22–23)
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Is rooted in God’s will, not man’s applause
If the motive is to be honored, the fruit is corrupted at the root.
⚖️ Ethical Reality
It is ethically dangerous to:
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Use ministry as a platform for ego
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Present piety to gain influence
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Perform religious acts to impress
Jesus called this hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23).
📚 Biblical Examples: Fruit That Failed vs. Fruit God Blessed
❌ The Pharisees (Matthew 23)
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others.”
Their “fruit” was public and showy—but it sickened the Savior.
❌ Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:18–21)
“Your heart is not right before God.”
He wanted spiritual power—for the status, not for the Savior.
✅ John the Baptist (John 3:30)
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John didn’t seek honor; he deflected glory to Christ.
✅ The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41–44)
She gave in secret. No recognition. No spotlight.
And Jesus said: “She has put in more than all the others.”
God honors quiet faithfulness, not flashy performance.
🪞 Application: Check the Root Before You Offer the Fruit
Ask yourself:
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Am I seeking applause or approval?
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Is this about honoring God or building a name?
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Would I still do this if no one ever knew?
True spiritual fruit is often unseen, but it always satisfies the heart of God.
🙏 Conclusion: The Harvest That Heaven Sees
In a world of filters and followers, it’s tempting to mistake visibility for fruitfulness.
But God is not impressed by likes or titles.
He looks at the heart, the motive, and the source.
“The person who seeks honor from men because of what he thinks is fruit bearing is not yet bearing the kind of fruit God wants.”
Let’s stop offering God what impresses man—and start giving Him fruit that grows from truth, love, humility, and obedience.
✨ Benediction
May the God who sees in secret and rewards openly keep your heart pure and your motives aligned with His will.
May your life bear fruit that glorifies the Father, not impresses the crowd.
Go forth not to be seen, but to serve. Not to be praised, but to please the One who called you.
And may every seed you sow in humility be raised in power and harvested in grace.
🙏 Ending Prayer
Father,
Thank You for exposing the hidden places of our hearts where pride, ambition, and the desire to be seen have taken root.
We repent for the times we’ve mistaken the approval of man for the approval of Heaven.
Purify our motives, and teach us to bear fruit that abides — fruit born of abiding in You.
Let us walk in humility, love, and obedience.
Strip away performance and replace it with purpose.
May we find joy in being known by You, even if we’re unknown by others.
We do not want to impress the world — we want to please You.
In the name of Jesus, who bore perfect fruit for Your glory,
Amen.
Grace & Peace
FaithQuake on FaceBook
Dr. John Roberts THD
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