Treat the Root, Not Just the Fruit
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." —Ephesians 2:8
When studying religious traditions, it’s easy to focus on rules and rituals as the pathway to being close with God. In Paul’s time, people believed that adhering to 613 commandments meant they were close to God. Similarly, today many think that praying a certain way, memorizing scriptures, or attending church regularly indicates a strong relationship with God.
Paul, however, reframed this understanding. In Romans 3:24, he emphasizes that we are justified by God’s grace as a free gift. In Ephesians 2:8-9, he reminds us that salvation is not from our own works but a gift from God. Following religious practices has value, but these actions alone do not change our hearts.
Jesus often critiqued the scribes and Pharisees for this reason. They meticulously followed religious protocols but neglected the transformation of their hearts. They appeared deeply religious yet harbored unhealed wounds and unhealthy behaviors. This discrepancy shows that changing habits without changing the heart is insufficient.
Walking in the Spirit means addressing the root causes of our pain, not just modifying our behavior. Imagine someone who tithes but treats others poorly, or someone who preaches yet cannot control their anger. These actions indicate behavior modification without heart transformation.
To truly walk with Christ, we must heal the deep-seated wounds and psychological injuries that drive our negative behaviors. Just stopping a behavior does not address the underlying need it was attempting to fulfill. True healing involves treating the root, not just the fruit of our actions.
Remember, behavior modification is not the goal. The goal is heart transformation through the healing power of Christ. When we address the root of our pain, we walk in the Spirit, living in a manner consistent with the divine essence within us.
When studying religious traditions, it’s easy to focus on rules and rituals as the pathway to being close with God. In Paul’s time, people believed that adhering to 613 commandments meant they were close to God. Similarly, today many think that praying a certain way, memorizing scriptures, or attending church regularly indicates a strong relationship with God.
Paul, however, reframed this understanding. In Romans 3:24, he emphasizes that we are justified by God’s grace as a free gift. In Ephesians 2:8-9, he reminds us that salvation is not from our own works but a gift from God. Following religious practices has value, but these actions alone do not change our hearts.
Jesus often critiqued the scribes and Pharisees for this reason. They meticulously followed religious protocols but neglected the transformation of their hearts. They appeared deeply religious yet harbored unhealed wounds and unhealthy behaviors. This discrepancy shows that changing habits without changing the heart is insufficient.
Walking in the Spirit means addressing the root causes of our pain, not just modifying our behavior. Imagine someone who tithes but treats others poorly, or someone who preaches yet cannot control their anger. These actions indicate behavior modification without heart transformation.
To truly walk with Christ, we must heal the deep-seated wounds and psychological injuries that drive our negative behaviors. Just stopping a behavior does not address the underlying need it was attempting to fulfill. True healing involves treating the root, not just the fruit of our actions.
Remember, behavior modification is not the goal. The goal is heart transformation through the healing power of Christ. When we address the root of our pain, we walk in the Spirit, living in a manner consistent with the divine essence within us.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2026
January
When God Feels Silent but is Still at WorkHow to Rebound After a Crushing LetdownWhen Your World Falls Apart After You Did Everything RightGod Is Still Building Roads in the DesertThe Chapter That Comes After TraumaWhen Hope Feels GoneWhen Your Words Start Working Against YouGod’s Resume Is Bigger Than Your SituationWaiting on God is Not Doing NothingBefore Circumstances ChangeGetting In Your Bag When Life Feels UnfairWinning With a Bad HandOverlooked, Insulted, and Still ChosenPrepared in the Field Before the Giant AppearsYou Were Trained for This MomentTaking Off Armor That Does Not FitFormed in the Field, Not on the StageWhen the Battle Is Not Actually YoursWhen You Feel the Urge to Go Through God’s PhoneFaith After Disappointment Still CountsKeep Showing Up Even When You Are ConfusedLocked Doors Do Not Stop JesusWhen You Need an Encounter for YourselfDoubt as a DoorwaySaying What Hurts When God Is in the RoomWhere Faith and Fear CollideShutdown Does Not Mean FinishedWhen Opposition Shows Up Mid-ProgressBuilding Without Responding to the MockeryA Mind to Work in the Middle of WearinessThe Wall Rose Because the People Did Not Quit
February
When Faith Blocks the ViewThe Cost of Carrying the CrossPower Was Never the PointGod Meets You Where You AreFaith That Chooses People Over ProfitWhen the Cross Loses Its MeaningClearing the View So Christ Can Be SeenWhen Worry Becomes a Way of LifeGod Is Not Surprised by Bad LeadershipWhen God Writes on the WallGod Controls the ClockGod Is Watching the ScaleWhen God Writes the EndingYou Do Not Have to Carry This AloneWhen Life Feels Like a JungleWhat You Are Leaning On MattersPeace Comes From the InsideRemember What God Has Already DoneProtecting Your Peace on PurposeWhen You Have to Say It Out LoudTrust Is a Long GameWhen Joy Breaks ContainmentGod Shows Up in Hard SeasonsKeep Moving When Everything Says StopGet Ready for What You Are Praying ForFaith That Is Willing to Work
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
No Comments