“Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” — Matthew 7:20 (NKJV)
We live in a time where appearances can deceive, words can manipulate, and charm can mask corruption. That’s why Jesus warned us to look beyond the surface — to examine the fruit a person produces, not just the image they project.
Red flags don’t always wave in the wind — sometimes they whisper in quiet inconsistencies, unmet promises, or a lack of peace deep in your spirit. God doesn’t reveal these things to make us fearful but to make us faithful — alert, wise, and guarded in His truth.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” — 1 John 4:1
Discernment is not judgment — it’s protection. It’s the Holy Spirit’s way of saying, “Pay attention here.” Sometimes we ignore the red flags because we want the story to turn out differently. We cling to potential instead of fruit. But God calls us to fruit inspection, not fantasy projection.
If someone’s words are sweet but their actions leave you bitter, that’s not love — that’s confusion, and God is not the author of it (1 Corinthians 14:33). If you’ve ever ignored the red flags and ended up hurt, please hear this with love: You don’t have to carry the shame.
We’ve all stayed too long, believed too much, or hoped too hard. This is not a moment for condemnation — it’s a call to compassion for yourself. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
I want to apologize — not on behalf of the one who hurt you, but on behalf of those who should have treated you better. I’m sorry for every time you were made to feel like your boundaries were wrong. I’m sorry for every time you silenced your own discernment to keep someone else comfortable.
And I’m sorry that you had to learn the hard way that peace is priceless. But know this — God never wastes pain. He transforms it into wisdom. Every red flag you ignored is now a lesson you’ll never forget.
Let us pray!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of discernment — for teaching us that true love bears fruit that reflects Your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Lord, forgive us for the times we ignored Your warning signs and trusted our emotions more than Your voice. Heal the wounds left by deception, and restore our confidence in Your guidance. From this day forward, let us walk in wisdom, clarity, and peace — guarded by Your truth and led by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Thought:
“You don’t have to chase peace — when it’s from God, it will meet you where you stand. Stay alert, stay prayerful, and trust the fruit over the facade.”