Fruit or Fright

Reverend Mays preaches from Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20, and 23-33, focusing on the account of the twelve spies sent to Canaan. All spies agreed the land flowed with milk and honey and brought back abundant fruit—a cluster of grapes so large it required two men to carry on a staff. Yet ten spies delivered an evil report, saying, 'Nevertheless, the people are strong, the cities are walled, and we saw giants,' causing the congregation to fear. Only Joshua and Caleb urged faith, declaring, 'Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.' Reverend Mays identifies the one word 'nevertheless' or 'but' as the thief that robs believers of faith, health, dreams, and miracles. He illustrates that every time a believer adds 'but' to God's promises—'I know God can heal, but'—they limit God and disqualify themselves from His provision. Giants represent fear, insecurity, sickness, depression, and other forces Satan uses to block believers from their promised blessings. Reverend Mays calls the congregation to choose between 'fruit or fright,' declaring that the fruit of God's promises always outweighs the fear of giants. He emphasizes that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and faith—belongs to believers because Jesus purchased it with His blood. Giants are trespassers, not owners. He concludes by urging the church to look beyond giants, focus on the fruit, and take possession of God's promises by force, trusting in Jehovah Jireh, the God of abundance.