No Bananas Today

When you walk into a grocery store, there are certain items you expect to find. You might assume milk or bread would top the list, but surprisingly, the most purchased item in grocery stores in America are bananas. Because of that, customers expect them to be there. If they are missing, something feels off. It may seem like a small thing and the customer would not care, but in reality, they may lose a customer.

In a similar way, the world carries expectations about those who follow Christ. When someone identifies themselves as a believer, others naturally look for certain conduct. Not perfection, but evidence. Not performance, but consistency. Scripture speaks clearly about this. In Galatians 5, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not optional traits. They are the natural outflow of a life connected to Christ. Jesus Himself said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The world expects love. It looks for integrity. It notices whether our words match our actions. It watches how we respond under pressure, how we treat others, and whether our faith shows up in everyday life. These expectations are not unreasonable, but they reflect what God is beginning to develop within us. So, stop and face this directly: am I actually living this way every day, or just pretending? You cannot fake this life or can you manufacture it with willpower alone. The Christian life demands surrender, not excuses. It requires abiding in Christ, not occasional effort.

Therefore, walk with Him in prayer, stay in His Word, yield your will, and He will produce what you cannot. The world expects evidence, and God alone grows real fruit. Stay near Him, and it will be noticed by others.

–G. Yarian

Faith is more than words