When I saw fruit flies in the bowl today, I was so pleased.

Yes, success!

I made a fruit fly trap for the kitchen yesterday. I put apple cider vinegar in a bowl, covered it with Saran wrap and poked tiny holes in the plastic. Fruit flies are drawn to the fermented vinegar, and they find their way into the bowl through the small punctures. Then they get trapped inside and drown.

I learned how to make my first fruit fly trap several years ago after overripe bananas on the countertop attracted a swarm of them. Fruit flies are such a nuisance and quickly multiply when they lay their eggs on ripened fruit. This latest battle with my flying nemeses was reignited, once again, by the presence of bananas. Though bananas are super healthy and rich in potassium, and my boys, Kedar and Kaleb, love them, having bananas around guarantees that I’ll end up swatting fruit flies away.

As I was celebrating successfully trapping some of those unwanted guests in the bowl today, I thought about the fact that I can’t expect to enjoy the benefits of fruit without dealing with a few unpleasant things too.

And you know what? This applies to my spiritual journey and yours. Whenever you begin producing fruit in your life, which means being productive, getting good results, and reaping divine benefits, you had better believe that distractions, nuisances, trouble, and hindrances will show up. If Satan, who is also known as Beelzebub, a name that means "Lord of the Flies,” has been aggravating you lately, attacking you and trying to stop you, take that as a good sign. You’re bearing fruit!

When we walk with Jesus and stay close to Him, He promises in John 15:5 that we will “bear much fruit.” Scripture says that Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. When you abide in Him, my friend, you can’t help but grow in faith, flourish in your purpose, receive a harvest of blessings, and produce the spiritual fruit of righteousness that is pleasing to the Lord.

Have you ever noticed that every time you give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, to prayer, to Bible study, to spiritual growth, to good works and Kingdom-building that disturbances and nuisances show up?

Like it or not, when Beelzebub smells the sweet nectar of fruit on you, he swoops in and tries to “lay eggs” on your fruit and cause chaos and confusion. He’s just trying frustrate you, distract you, discourage you, and deter you from staying the course and walking the path God has laid out for you.

Remember when Nehemiah was rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls in Nehemiah 6? Two of his biggest opponents, Tobiah and Sanballat, concocted all sorts of schemes to stop him. Satan used them to stir up trouble. They lied, sent messengers with false threats, tried to intimidate God’s people and did everything they could to lure Nehemiah away from his divine purpose. But God protected and guided Nehemiah and the Hebrew nation. Ultimately, the enemy’s plan didn’t work, and the wall was successfully built.

Just as Satan’s attempts failed against Nehemiah, they will fail against you too. Even though opposition may swarm and aggravate you sometimes, keep on going.

And if you need to know how to get rid of The Lord of the Flies like I got rid of those fruit flies in my kitchen, do what James 4:7 NIV says, which is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that a person who submits to the will of God and resists the enemy cannot be stopped from achieving the purpose to which God has called them. Whatever you do, stay submitted. Keep building, keep going, keep pushing, and you’ll keep on bearing plenty of fruit.

Now, let’s pray.

God, whenever I pursue Your will for my life, Satan brings opposition and tries to frustrate my plans and stop me from being fruitful. But thank You for giving me the spiritual recipe to resist the devil, and make him flee, so I can remain fruitful. I know that as long as I stay connected to You, I will do, be, and have all You have prepared and ordained for me. And the weapon the enemy forms against me won’t work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!