When Leaves Lie

False Advertising: Leaves Without Fruit

Summers in Arizona are brutal, and like most Arizonans, I’m always looking for ways to stay cool. One summer I thought I found the solution - portable coolers for about $5 each on an auction site. I imagined “15–20 degrees cooler temperatures” for just twenty bucks.

When I picked them up, I realized they were tiny, small enough to fit in my hand. Still, I figured as long as they sprayed mist the advertised 10 feet, I was good. Not so. The fan was weak, barely any mist beyond two feet, the water also pooled beneath the unit, and they eventually ended up at Goodwill.

We’ve all experienced something similar—when appearance creates expectations that reality immediately crushes. In biblical terms, those coolers were all leaves and no fruit.

This happens beyond products: friendships, jobs, faith communities, and even our spiritual lives can look leafy yet bear no fruit. Jesus addresses this using something as ordinary as a fig tree.

Mark writes:

“On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it.” - Mark 11:12-14

Two details stand out. First, Jesus was hungry, His humanity is on display. He experienced the same needs we do. Second, the phrase “in leaf.” In Jesus’ agricultural world, leaves signaled fruit. They were a billboard promising substance. But up close, the tree was all promise and no reality—great optics, no substance.

Sound familiar?

• We know how to look “fine” when we’re not.

• We know how to seem spiritually mature without surrender.

• We know how to project success while crumbling inside.

Jesus curses the tree not out of irritation but as a prophetic act. The tree represents Israel’s spiritual condition—religious activity without repentance. The prophet Isaiah described it:

“This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me…” - Isaiah 29:13

It also represents us whenever we choose perception over authenticity. God is not impressed with leaves. God is looking for fruit:

“You will know them by their fruits.” - Matthew 7:16

At Reverent Awe, we sell apparel that testifies to the goodness of God, but the real fruit is found in faith and obedience as Jesus said:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” - John 14:15

That’s why outward faith doesn’t always mean inward growth. Sometimes the quiet or messy ones are bearing the most fruit. This touches every stage of life:

• Kids learn to “look good” for approval.

• Teens curate identities.

• Adults hide weakness behind competence.

• Seniors hide pain behind dignity.

Jesus invites us to something better: honest faith with urgency. Consider the following questions, with

• Am I producing spiritual fruit or just spiritual aesthetics?

• Do I rely on appearance or on God’s Word?

• Am I ignoring God’s warnings because they affect my comfort?

• Am I preparing for Christ’s return or just maintaining my image?

These questions aren’t about guilt—they’re about freedom.

Scripture gives us a clear path to cultivate real fruit:

1. Abide in Christ, cling to the cross

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

2. Practice Repentance, turn from besetting sin

“Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” – Luke 3:8

3. Obey His Word, love the Lord

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” – John 14:21

4. Armor Up, prepare for battle

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” – Ephesians 6:11-20

5. Stay Watchful, the King is coming back

“Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” – Mark 13:35-37

The fig tree challenges us:

Don’t confuse visibility with vitality.
Don’t confuse image with obedience.
Don’t confuse leaves with fruit.

In a world obsessed with appearances and curated spirituality, Jesus calls us deeper, to what is real, eternal, and pleasing to God.

Leaves may look impressive, but only fruit endures. Only His Word remains when everything else fades.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word. Show us where we have leaves without fruit, and lead us by Your Spirit to change. Jesus, thank You for the cross, our hope now and forever. In Your Name, Amen.

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