A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional Day 62

Written By Torrie Slaughter

🔴 The Fig Trees

Guiding Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

In Genesis 3:7-8 we read how Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to cover their bodies once their “eyes” were opened. They also hid from God. Their rebellion was known. Adam and Eve desired to cover themselves even more because they knew they had sinned.

When we sin, our first reaction is to cover it up.

We may keep layering on “clothes” until we no longer know the truth. We give excuses, blame others, and do not hold ourselves accountable. But is that the way God intended us to deal with sin? Of course not! Satan will have us hiding and keeping ourselves out of sight. But, God forgives even when we have to deal with the consequences of our actions.

We Have A Choice:

Who fertilizes us and what nutrients we absorb? While we could easily blame our lack of growth on our living conditions, exposure to opportunities, or economic status, we are responsible for what we produce. Feeling like a useless waste of space is a scheme of the enemy, and he will keep us from repenting if we allow him to use our insecurities.

Moving our minds from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness is the goal of transformation. The positive side of repentance is conversion, the real turning to God for grace. We can turn away from sin and become fruit-bearing, purposeful servants of God.

In every season of our lives, we can be of service to our Lord and Savior. The years we spent on this earth toiling for riches, being self-centered, and not producing any fruit will have us cut out of God’s glorious kingdom.

Mark 11:14- Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

The imagery of fruitless trees echoes throughout the Old Testament as a metaphor for Israel’s unrepentant heart. God calls us to bear fruit in season and out. (Mark 11:13) We are His image-bearers which means we bring life to this world through God’s grace. Any area of our lives that is not glorifying God should be destroyed to make room for the beneficial fruit that will bless others.

What do we entertain that is just taking up space? What is keeping us from producing ‘fruit’? These barriers may also keep us from repenting because it is easier to blame than to own our faults.

May we resolve to not stand in an untruth attempting to conceal our inappropriate behavior. Our lives need not be complicated with emotionally draining tirades while hiding the truth. Let us repent and stand in the grace of God’s forgiveness and consistently applying His Word to our lives.

~ Torrie Slaughter

Journal Prompts: