SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE 13: 6-9

FOCUS: “And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” (Luke 13: 9)

MEMORY VERSE: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15: 2)

In our Focal Scripture, the vinedresser made a recommendation that if the fig tree began to bear fruit, then it would be allowed to remain; but that if it was unable to bear fruit, it should be cut down. The vinedresser made an assertion that unfruitfulness would disqualify the fig tree from remaining in the vineyard. By the suggestion and assertion of the vinedresser, unfruitfulness was enough grounds to cut down the fig.

Friend, glean some wisdom from the vinedresser: if it is unfruitful, cut it down. Cut down the relationships that have become unfruitful in your life. Cut down the activities that do not add any value to your life. Cut down the access of those who bear no fruit in your life. Cut down your participation in matters that do not bear fruit in your life. Cut down the habits in your life that are unfruitful. Cut down whatever is unfruitful.

Notice that there was going to be an initial effort to make the fig tree fruitful, after which it was going to be cut down if it remained unfruitful. There are times when you may need to make efforts to cause what is unfruitful to become fruitful; there are also times when what is unfruitful must be cut down when efforts that are made to make it fruitful, turn out to be fruitless. Discern when it is time to stop working hard on an unfruitful fig tree.

Develop the courage to say no to perpetual unfruitfulness. Develop the courage to stop every journey which you have found to be unfruitful. Develop the courage to cut down whatever is a drain on your time and resources. Don’t retain unfruitfulness. Don’t give unfruitfulness a standing ovation. Don’t allow unfruitfulness to remain on the basis of needless sentiments. Don’t celebrate or elevate unfruitfulness.

Don’t allow or retain unfruitful systems around you. Know when to cut it down. Know when to cut it off.

FURTHER READING: JOHN 15

DECLARATION:

• I will not celebrate or elevate unfruitfulness; if it remains unfruitful, I cut it down, in Jesus’ name!