During a visit to a local retail store, I was in the presence of a woman that seemed to have woken up on the “wrong side of the bed.” Her attitude was void of joy, kindness, and grace.

She was returning a pair of shoes mailed to her and treated the cashier as if he had packaged the wrong size and delivered them himself. While she was speaking “at” him, others began observing the commotion while lining up waiting to check out.

I wondered if she was a Christ follower. Even worse, I concluded that she must not be one with the attitude she was displaying.

It made me consider the times my negative attitude was on display for all to experience.

What about you?

Have you treated someone in a way you would never desire to be treated yourself, in private or public?

Are you aware that others are observing your actions? Or, do you even care?

God captured my attention in Genesis 20 when Abraham deceived a king into thinking that Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was his sister. After the king took her in, God visited the king in a dream and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken in, for she is married.”

The king converses with God to defend himself by stating the fact that he was unaware she was married. Later, the king went to Abraham and asked him a question: “What have you encountered that you have done this thing?” 

In other words, what have you seen or observed to cause you to deceive me?

Here is the eye-opening statement from Abraham: (my paraphrase)

It is because I saw no evidence that you feared or even knew God, and therefore I feared that you would kill me because my wife, Sarah, is beautiful.

Although the king’s actions gave no evidence of his love for God, Abraham also did wrong by deceiving the king out of his human fear. So, neither of them displayed the fruit of knowing the Savior.

Doesn’t fear cause us to do some of the craziest things?

Aren’t we guilty of the same lack of good fruit when we tell a white lie, give the cashier a hard time, scream at the telemarketer to never call again, or berate our child’s teacher for not fulfilling our child’s needs?

Oh, friend, we must guard our hearts because when tested we will show evidence of what is in them (Proverbs 4:23).

We prove to be God’s disciples when we bear good fruit, and this glorifies Him (John 15:8).

How do we bear good fruit?

The day I encountered the woman at the retail store I began praying for her within my heart and then taking a self-assessment. I wondered what others see in me while in my presence. Do they walk away encouraged or praying for me to get my heart right with Jesus?

What kind of fruit will you decide to display today? I pray it is: Kindness-Grace-Joy-Love…

After all, as Christ followers, we represent our Father in heaven and should want others to know Him through our actions. So, be aware that others are watching. Let your actions and words be clear evidence that you belong to Him!

What has God captured your attention with lately? I would love for you to share in the comments section.