15/06/2026
Credit | Matt Gottesman
Do you know them by their fruit?
There’s a certain kind of presence you start to recognize over time... and it’s not loud or obvious. You just feel it... that’s really the only way to explain it.
It’s not always found in the most polished person, the most impressive words, the perfect image or the life that looks good from the outside. I think it’s much quieter than that.
And yes, when Scripture talks about the fruit of the Spirit, it names love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
And when those things are lived, they start to become very visible in someone’s character.
They show up in a calm way... grounded, consistent, and real. They don’t shift based on who’s watching... they’re just steady.
You see it in how they respond under pressure, how they treat people when there’s nothing to gain, how they handle disappointment, how they listen, how they cover people, how they bring things to God before reacting from emotion.
That’s fruit.
Pay attention to what your spirit does in their presence. Do you feel clearer, more grounded, more like yourself... or more confused, uncertain, and off?
I’ve found that there’s less second-guessing, less overthinking. You’re not trying to figure out where you stand. You just feel understood... naturally.
And I think a big part of recognizing that in others... is becoming that yourself. The more you grow into that kind of alignment, the more obvious it becomes when you see it.
You start noticing what actually holds weight... what’s genuine stands out more than what’s just well-presented.
There’s almost a sense of familiarity to it. Like you’re meeting someone who moves with the same depth, even if their life looks completely different. That’s where connection feels natural.
Truthfully... in order to truly recognize them by their fruit... you must also be responsible for your own... for your growth, your grace, your understanding, your learned wisdom...
We want to experience others’ then you must first experience it yourself... the first relationship is with God so you can see others who move with God as well.
