Fruit to Root
GROWING IN GOSPEL FLUENCY
“Part of our job in growing in gospel fluency is paying attention to the overflow of our hearts. What comes out in the form of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors finds its origin inside of us. Too often, we focus our attention on changing the external rather than addressing the internal. But Jesus was very clear that what defiles us proceeds from inside our hearts—our beliefs and our motives. The fruit of our lives comes from the roots of our faith. Just as a thermometer detects a fever, what we see or experience tells us about the gospel health of our hearts. So we need to learn to trace the fruit back to the root.”
- Jeff Vanderstelt
LEARNING TO TRACE THE FRUIT BACK TO THE ROOT
The things we experience are considered the external “fruit” on the tree. Our response to these experiences can also be considered fruit.
On top of the fruit in the tree diagram, write the things you maybe experiencing such as anxiety, fear, worry, desire for control, etc.
Then write the answers to the following questions:
Who am I? (What are you believing about yourself right now? Who do you perceive who you are in this situation?)
What has God done?
Who is God?
We need to speak our beliefs out loud to God so we can become aware of what is going on inside of us. Honest proclamation of what we are believing in the moment, no matter how painful to admit, leads to transformation. This is confession.
Jeff Vanderstelt gives an example of how he and his wife Jayne processed her anxiety related to their children.
Anxiety and fear were the fruit. Answering the questions revealed the root of unbelief:
Who am I? “I’m not in control but I believe I have to be.”
What has God done? “I believe he has stopped loving me. I believe he has lost control of what’s going on with our children. And ... he’s abandoned me.”
Who is God? “He’s unloving. He’s impotent. He is absent.”
Unbelief can take several forms. We don’t believe because we lack the truth about God. We believe lies about God or ourselves, or we fail to put our faith in what we know to be true of God.
“All sin stems from wrong beliefs—lies we believe—and ultimately from our unbelief in Jesus. And because we generally don’t go beyond the fruit to the root, we end up aiming at behavior modification instead of gospel transformation... We need more than ourselves and our personal efforts. We need the truth. We need the power of God to save us. We need the gospel!”
– Jeff Vanderstelt
FROM ROOT TO FRUIT
Once you trace the fruit to the root, invite the Spirit to reveal the truth of who God is and what he has done for you in Christ. Ask him to give you the ability to see and believe the truth, repent from lies or unbelief, and turn to God in faith through Jesus.
Work your way back up from the root to the fruit. Ask the questions from the bottom up:
Who is God?
What has God done?
Who am I?
Returning to the example from the book, Jayne continued to speak the truths about God and herself. She was being transformed by the renewing of her mind (Romans 12:2):
Who is God? “He is love. He is powerful and in control. He is present.”
What has God done? “Jesus died for me. He rose again from the dead. I have the Spirit of God in me.”
Who am I? “I’m loved. I’m not alone. I am more than a conqueror through him.”
“This work requires knowing the Gospel and spending regular time reading the Bible so as to be more equipped to speak the truth of God to the circumstances or situations you find yourself or others in.”
– Jeff Vanderstelt
Becoming more and more Christ-like results in the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, etc. But remember, you can’t do this alone. Immerse yourself in a community to become more gospel-fluent together.
Fruit to Root Emotion Integration Activity
BEGIN
Slow down and settle into the space you’re in. Take a moment to quiet your mind and body. Invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart and ask for the renewal of your mind through the Gospel as you engage in this journaling exercise.
FRUIT (BAD) TO ROOT
STEP ONE: WHAT IS THE FRUIT? WHAT AM I FEELING?
Identify a specific situation that feels challenging or stressful, where you notice “bad fruit” emerging in your life. Let your emotions be a signpost. Ask yourself:
What am I anxious about?
What am I feeling depressed about?
Is there rage or frustration bubbling up?
Am I feeling hurt or offended?
What habits or hang-ups are draining life and love from my soul and my relationships?
QUESTION #1: WHAT IS THE FRUIT?
Now, choose one situation, habit, or hurt where you’re noticing bad fruit. Give it a short name or title.
MY SITUATION OR AREA:
QUESTION #2: WHAT AM I FEELING ABOUT THIS FRUIT?
Before getting into details or descriptions on the situation or area, let’s begin with a Feelings Check-In using The Feelings Chart. Answer the following:
Which emotions from the list below am I experiencing?
Focus on the Truth, Impairment, and Isolation columns to find the words that best describe what you’re feeling.
Take note of the underlying need behind each emotion you’re experiencing. You’ll find that in the far right column.
Be honest with yourself. Don’t condemn yourself if you notice you’re on the impaired or isolation side of the chart—receive grace. There’s no need to go into great detail—simply list the emotions you’re feeling.
MY FEELINGS:
MY ASSOCIATED NEEDS:
STEP TWO: WHO AM I?
In light of what I am doing, feeling, or experiencing, what am I believing about myself and my identity right now? What are the lies or illusions around my identity that I am accepting?
STEP THREE: WHAT HAS GOD DONE?
What do I believe God is doing, has done or not done in this situation? Where do you think He has acted out of character…in a way this is unlike Jesus?
STEP FOUR: WHO IS GOD?
What do I believe God is like as a result of that?
ROOT TO FRUIT (OF THE SPIRIT)
STEP FIVE: BEGIN AGAIN
At this point, you might uncover some difficult beliefs you’ve been carrying about God or yourself. Take a deep breath. Remember, Jesus knew all of this before you did—and it hasn’t changed His love for you one bit. In fact, many people find it freeing to voice these things directly to Jesus. For example, “Lord, I’ve believed You were distant, uncaring, and uninvolved in this situation! My heart needs Your comfort.”
You’ll find this kind of honest, raw confession throughout the Psalms—where people bring their deepest struggles and lay them openly before the Lord. Now, take a moment to do the same. Let it out, unedited and from the heart.
Now, we will move from this unbelief to belief, embracing the Good News about who God is and who you are, as revealed by Jesus and the Scriptures.
STEP SIX: WHO IS GOD?
Who is God (His true character we know as revealed in Jesus Christ)? Which of the Four G’s speaks to this? It may be more than one of the Four G’s. List as many things as you can about God’s identity that relate to this area.
STEP SEVEN: WHAT HAS GOD DONE?
How has God proven each Himself in His work in the world and in the person and work of Jesus? Also, recall how He has been faithful to you in similar areas in your life in the past.
STEP EIGHT: WHO AM I?
List as many true statements about who you are in Christ that you can think of.
STEP NINE: WHAT DO I NEED?
Remember the need behind the feelings you identified earlier. Describe that need in detail and bring it to God.
STEP TEN: HOW CAN I LIVE IN LIGHT OF WHO I AM, WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE?
What is the Spirit of God saying to you about your next step? Write an “I will...” statement.
The Feelings Chart
The Feelings Chart is from “The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living” by Chip Dodd: NavPress, 2008.
| Isolation | Impairment | Truth | Gift | Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-will / Run riot | Depression | Anger | Passion | Voice to be heard |
| Revenge | Resentment | Hurt | Healing & Courage | Attention |
| Evil | Apathy | Lonely | Into-me-see | Be known |
| Demand | Self-Pity | Sad | Acceptance | Comfort |
| Rage | Control / Anxiety | Fear | Faith & Wisdom | Protection, Help, Refuge |
| Utter Isolation | Toxic Shame | Shame | Humility | Attunement |
| Shamelessness | Toxic Shame | Guilt | Freedom | Forgiveness |
| Empty tragedy | Sensuality w/o heart | Glad | Joy w/ sadness | Celebration |