Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. (Matthew 7:15-20 NLT).

The exact origins of the jellybean are lost in time, and only a part of its history is known.  Most experts believe the jelly center is a descendent of a Mid-Eastern confection known as Turkish Delight that dates back to Biblical times. The shell coating is an offspring of a process called panning, first invented in 17th century France to make Jordan Almonds.  The panning process, while done primarily by machine today, has remained essentially the same for the last 300 years.  The French began by rocking almonds in a bowl filled with sugar and syrup until the almonds were coated with a candy shell.  Today, large rotating pans do the heavy work, while master confectioners apply their true art in adding the ingredients to create just the right shell. Somehow the two processes made their way to America.  The earliest known appearance of a jellybean combining the two techniques is in an 1861 advertisement for William Schrafft of Boston that promoted the sending of jellybeans to soldiers in the Union Army during the civil war. Jellybeans quickly earned a place amongst the many glass jars of "penny candy" in general stores where they were sold by weight and taken home in paper bags.  It wasn't until the 1930's, however, that jellybeans became a part of Easter traditions.  Over 13.5 billion jellybeans were enjoyed at Eastertime in 1996.  If they were lined up end-to-end, they would circle the earth nearly 3 times.

So what does the history of the jellybean have to do with a devotional? Dr. Elizabeth Bard has revealed to the American Psychological Association the results of a survey, which indicate that your choice in jellybeans may reveal fundamental traits, especially if one's choice of color has nothing to do with the flavor. The most popular color, especially among men, was black, followed by red. Least popular was purple and white. According to the experts, here are traits indicated by choice of color: Black: A man exercises great personal charm in dealing with others. A woman is considered persistent in her demands and desires recognition and control. Red: A man is capable of powerful emotional involvement; a woman has great charm. White: A woman "seeks a relationship offering peace and intimacy." A man "attempts to control his own destiny and yet needs praise and reinforcement from others to maintain self-confidence."

Whether your choice of color in a jellybean reveals your character or not is open to debate. However, your actions do. Jesus’ teaching in our reading this morning gives us clear instructions that our “walk ought to match our talk.” Examine the actions of your life. Commit yourself to producing good fruit!