“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:15
I recently looked at the bananas sitting on my kitchen counter. Some were still yellow, while others had become dark, bruised, and rotten. We've all heard how rotten fruit can affect the fresh fruit around it. But as I looked at them, I began to think about something deeper. What happens when the fruit that begins to rot is on the inside of us? As Christians, we know we will face rejection, betrayal, accusations, and hurt. Sometimes, the deepest wounds come from people we never expected to hurt us. But what happens when we allow their actions to change our attitudes, our words, and the way we treat others? Could we become so focused on proving ourselves right that we lose sight of what God has called us to do?
Don't Let Their Actions Change Your Fruit
Jesus was mocked, falsely accused, rejected, and betrayed. Yet He did not allow the cruelty of others to distract Him from His purpose. “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” — 1 Peter 2:23 Jesus showed us that we don't have to retaliate just because we've been wronged. Our testimony is often revealed not by how we respond to kindness, but by how we respond to cruelty.
Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers and falsely accused, yet he continued to walk in integrity. When he finally had the opportunity to face those who had hurt him, he recognized that God could bring good from what they intended for evil (Genesis 50:20).
David was hunted by King Saul, yet when he had the opportunity to take revenge, he chose to spare Saul's life (1 Samuel 24).
Stephen, while being stoned, prayed for those who were hurting him, saying:
“Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” — Acts 7:60
And Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned, chose to pray and sing praises to God instead of allowing their circumstances to silence their faith (Acts 16:22-25).
These men were hurt, rejected, and mistreated. But they continued to look toward God rather than allowing their pain to dictate their responses. What if they had become so consumed with their hurt that they abandoned the very purpose God had placed on their lives? We cannot know how different their stories might have been, but Scripture shows us that their faithfulness continued even through suffering.
Check Your Fruit
Sometimes, when we are hurt, bitterness begins to grow quietly inside us. We replay conversations, rehearse our defenses, and imagine all the things we wish we had said. Before long, our pain begins affecting our peace, our relationships, and even our witness for Christ. Hebrews 12:15 warns us about allowing a root of bitterness to spring up and trouble us. This doesn't mean we should pretend we aren't hurt or allow others to mistreat us. Jesus spoke truth, and David protected himself from Saul. There are times when we must speak up, establish boundaries, and walk away. But there is a difference between standing up for ourselves and seeking revenge. We cannot always control what others do to us, but with God's help, we can choose how we respond. The next time someone hurts you, ask yourself: Am I allowing this experience to produce the fruit of the Spirit, or is it producing bitterness in me?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23
The world does not need Christians who have never been hurt. It needs Christians who know where to take their hurt. Don't let someone's rejection make you unkind. Don't let their bitterness become yours. Don't allow their actions to pull you away from the purpose God has placed on your life. Protect your heart. Guard your testimony. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Those bananas reminded me that we must pay attention to what is happening within us. Our wounds may be part of our story, but they do not have to determine the fruit our lives produce.