IronGuys Law Enforcement Ministries
"WORDS OF WISDOM"
By Police Chaplains
"Got Fruit?"
By
Dave Yard
Longtime Oklahoma Supporter of the Law Enforcement Community
Proverbs 11:30 (KJV)
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
A righteous life does not merely exist — it bears fruit. Wherever a believer who walks closely with Christ goes, something life-giving begins to grow around them. Their words carry hope. Their actions carry mercy. Their presence points people toward God. Like a tree planted beside living waters, the righteous become a shelter for weary souls and a testimony that God is good.
This proverb reminds us that wisdom is not measured merely by knowledge, but by influence. “He that winneth souls is wise.” To win souls is not manipulation, argument, or religious performance. It is loving people enough to point them toward Jesus — the true Tree of Life. Sometimes it is through preaching; other times through quiet faithfulness, patient kindness, or steadfast truth spoken in love. A soul is rarely argued into the Kingdom, but it may be drawn there by seeing Christ living in someone else.
Jesus Himself is the perfect fulfillment of this verse. Everywhere He went, dead things lived again. The ashamed found mercy. The blind received sight. The lost were welcomed home. Even at Calvary, hanging upon a tree, He was still winning souls. The righteous fruit of His life became eternal life for all who believe.
As believers, we are branches abiding in Him. We cannot manufacture spiritual fruit on our own. But when we remain close to Christ, His life begins to flow through us. The world is starving for something real. A harsh world needs gentle Christians. A fearful world needs hopeful Christians. A dying world needs people who carry the life of Jesus within them.
Wisdom is not simply knowing Scripture; it is living in such a way that others are drawn to the Savior found in Scripture.
“A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God.” — William Barclay