"Pray for the Man"

Awakened Hearts: Knowing Truth by the Fruit We Bear

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Lately, many of us find ourselves in an awakening season. It’s holy—but it’s also confusing. You don’t always know what to do anymore. You don’t know who to believe. Things that once felt solid now feel shaky. And in the middle of all that, God gently says, “That’s okay. I’ve got you.”

This message isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about the condition of our hearts.

An Awakening That Tests the Heart

In Acts 17, Paul and Silas arrive in Berea, and Scripture describes the people there as fair-minded. They received the word eagerly—but they didn’t stop there. They searched the Scriptures daily to see whether what they were hearing was true.

That matters more now than ever.

We cannot blindly accept every teaching, every prophecy, or every loud spiritual voice. God is calling His people to discernment—not suspicion, but wisdom. Not cynicism, but maturity. Truth welcomes examination.

Tradition alone is not faith. Rituals without belief has no power. And throughout Scripture, Jesus clashed with religious leaders not because they knew too little—but because they refused to change.

Chaos, Exposure, and Prayer

We are living in a time when things hidden are being exposed—leaders, systems, and hearts. Scripture tells us nothing stays concealed forever. That applies to everyone.

So, the question becomes: How are we praying?

Are we praying about people—or praying for them?

One word that pierced deeply was this: "Pray for the man, not about the man.”

It’s easy to pray from emotions, fear, and frustration. But God is searching for hearts in the midst of the confusion. He’s asking whether our hearts can remain aligned with Him even when everything feels upside down.

Can we pray for people who don’t love like we do—without condemning them? Can we see the addict, the homeless, the broken, the difficult, the offensive—the way God sees them?

Because how we pray reveals what’s rooted in our hearts.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruit

Jesus said plainly in Matthew 7: “You will know them by their fruit.”

Fruit doesn’t lie.

A healthy tree produces healthy fruit. A sick tree produces sick fruit. Behavior reveals what’s rooted inside. No one knows the heart fully except God—but He allows fruit to grow so discernment is possible.

Words can sound spiritual. Appearances can look holy. But fruit shows the truth.

If love is missing, something is wrong at the root. If kindness is absent, the tree needs healing. If compassion never shows up, we need to ask hard questions.

And this isn’t just about leaders or prophets—it’s about us.

Awakening Requires Honest Self-Reflection

What’s rooted in the heart will eventually show up in behavior.

You cannot say you love God while hating what He created. You cannot say you love God while ignoring the poor, the hurting, and the marginalized. You cannot claim Christ while refusing compassion.

That’s not condemnation.

God isn’t exposing hearts to shame us. He’s revealing them so He can heal them.

Abiding Changes Everything

Jesus said in John 15, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done.”

Abiding isn’t striving. It’s remaining.

We don’t jump in and out of Christ based on behavior. We live from union. Wherever we go, He goes. Wherever we are, He is. Prayer isn’t about convincing God—it’s about aligning with Him. And when we abide, fruit naturally grows.

The Fruit of the Spirit Is the Evidence

Galatians 5 reminds us of what true spiritual fruit looks like:

• Love – unconditional, selfless

• Joy – deep gladness not dependent on circumstances

• Peace – inner harmony that guards the heart

• Longsuffering – patience and endurance

• Kindness – gentle compassion in action

• Goodness – moral integrity

• Faithfulness – loyalty and trustworthiness

• Gentleness – strength under control

• Self-control – mastery over one’s actions

These are not behaviors we force—they are evidence of a heart rooted in Christ.

Watch the Fruit—and Pray

This season isn’t about fear. It’s about clarity.

Watch the fruit being revealed—and pray. Pray for people, not against them. Pray for leaders, not just opinions. Pray quietly, faithfully, consistently.

Because Scripture reminds us: those who pray behind the scenes often steer the ship.

Becoming a Blessing Wherever We Go

God is glorified when we bear much fruit. Not a little—much.

People should be able to walk up to us and pick kindness, patience, and compassion right off the branches of our lives.

We are blessed—not just for ourselves—but so we can be a blessing.

In a smile. In a gentle word. In compassion. In prayer aligned with God’s heart.

We are being changed faith to faith, glory to glory. And as Christ is revealed through us, the Father is glorified.

Amen.