October 13th, 2025 Devotional

🌊 Living Water Vineyard — Monday Devotion

“By Their Fruit You Will Recognize Them”

Matthew 7:15–20 (NIV)

⸻

💧 Celebration and Reflection

What an incredible day yesterday! The presence of God was so thick as we watched people go down into the waters of baptism and rise up full of life.

It was love, joy, and unity — the kind only Jesus can bring. Heaven rejoiced. The Church rejoiced.

Every baptism is a victory — a public declaration that says, “I’ve chosen the narrow road that leads to life.”

⸻

🕊️ From Two Roads to Two Trees

In Matthew 7, Jesus shifts from roads to roots — from choosing the right path to recognizing the right fruit.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”

— Matthew 7:15–16 (NIV)

Even on the narrow road, not everyone walking beside you has the same destination. Some appear harmless, even helpful — but they twist truth and lead others astray.

⸻

📜 Jude: The Brother Who Called Himself a Servant

Jude was the half-brother of Jesus. We find his name listed among Jesus’ brothers in Mark 6:3. But when he writes his letter, he doesn’t pull rank.

He doesn’t say, “I’m Jesus’ brother.”

He says, “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.” (Jude 1:1)

That humility speaks volumes. Jude had come to see Jesus not just as his brother — but as his Lord and Savior.

And his one short letter is a passionate warning:

“Don’t be pulled off the road. Don’t let false teachers twist your faith.”

He gives three examples from the Old Testament — Cain, Balaam, and Korah — all of them men who rebelled against God’s authority and tried to lead others astray.

⸻

🤠 The Story of Korah: A High-Noon Showdown in the Desert

Picture this like an old Western.

The sun’s blazing high over the wilderness.

Two camps are facing off — one led by Moses, God’s chosen leader; the other by Korah, a smooth-talking rebel who’s stirring up the people.

Korah steps forward, dust swirling around his sandals, and he says,

“Who put you in charge, Moses? Aren’t we all holy? Why should you get to lead?”

He sounds convincing — even spiritual. He wraps rebellion in religious language.

That’s what wolves in sheep’s clothing do: they mix a little truth with a lot of pride.

But Moses doesn’t fight back with anger or ego. He falls face down before God.

He doesn’t defend himself — he lets God decide.

Then Moses says something like,

“Alright, tomorrow at high noon, we’ll see who God chooses. If the Lord is with me, you’ll know it.”

And as the people gather, the ground begins to tremble.

The earth splits open, fire flashes, and Korah’s rebellion is swallowed alive — a dramatic, unmistakable sign that God defends truth and exposes deception.

You can read the whole account in Numbers 16.

Jude later uses this as an example, saying that false teachers follow “the rebellion of Korah.” (Jude 1:11)

In other words, they resist authority, reject correction, and lead others away from the truth.

⸻

🍇 Recognizing the Fruit

Jesus and Jude both warn us — pay attention to the fruit.

Good Fruit (Healthy Tree):

   •   Humility and repentance

   •   Love that serves quietly

   •   Obedience even when it’s hard

   •   Unity, purity, and peace

Bad Fruit (Corrupt Tree):

   •   Pride disguised as zeal

   •   Divisive speech or hidden agendas

   •   Spiritual talk without submission

   •   Bitterness and rebellion

The fruit always tells the truth — and time always reveals the root.

⸻

🔥 Reflection Questions

1. Have I seen areas in my life where pride or independence are trying to replace humility and trust in God’s authority?

2. Who are the voices in my life that point me closer to Jesus — and who might be pulling me off the narrow road?

3. What kind of fruit is God growing in me this week, and how can I nurture it?

⸻

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the power of Your presence we experienced yesterday. Thank You for every soul that was baptized and for the reminder that You make all things new.

Help me stay rooted in truth and bear good fruit that honors You.

Give me discernment to recognize what’s real and courage to walk away from what’s not.

Keep my heart humble and my steps steady on the narrow road that leads to life.

In Your mighty name,

Amen.

⸻

🎵 Worship Song Suggestion

“Holy Forever” — Chris Tomlin

“A thousand generations falling down in worship,

To sing the song of ages to the Lamb…”