Stop Trying to Fix Your Behavior—Fix Your Beliefs Instead (From Root to Fruit)

We're halfway through 2025, and I'm willing to bet your New Year's resolutions didn't make it past Valentine's Day. Don't worry—you're in good company. Research shows that 80% of resolutions fail by February, and by now, most of us have completely forgotten what we were so determined to change six months ago.

But what if I told you the problem isn't your lack of willpower? What if the reason you keep failing at lasting change has nothing to do with trying harder and everything to do with where you're trying to change? 

The “Fruit-Picking” Problem

Most of us approach personal transformation like amateur gardeners attacking weeds. We see the ugly stuff—anger, anxiety, bad habits, destructive patterns—and we go after it with scissors. We make rules, set up accountability systems, and white-knuckle our way toward better behavior.

It works for a while. You might even see improvement. But eventually, those same issues grow back, often stronger than before.

Why? Because we're picking fruit instead of changing roots.

Think about it: if you have an apple tree that's producing rotten apples, you don't fix it by stapling good apples to the branches. You examine the root system. The fruit is just telling you what's happening underground. 

The Truth About Lies

Here's what most people miss: every destructive behavior in your life is rooted in a lie you believe about God or yourself.

That anxiety you can't shake? It's rooted in the lie that God isn't really in control.

The anger that keeps exploding? It's rooted in the lie that people owe you something and God isn't gracious enough to handle the injustice.

The pride that drives your need for recognition? It's rooted in the lie that God's opinion of you isn't enough.

The lust that keeps pulling you back? It's rooted in the lie that God is withholding something good from you.

Every sin is ultimately about believing lies about who God is. And here's the beautiful truth: every virtue flows from believing the truth about who God really is.

And here's the truth at the center of it all: the Gospel isn’t about what you’ve done or failed to do. It’s about what Jesus has already done. It’s not based on your performance, but on Christ’s finished work on your behalf. 

The Root to Fruit Process 

This is where Jeff Vanderstelt's "Root to Fruit" framework becomes life-changing. Instead of trying to manage your behavior, you learn to examine your beliefs. Instead of picking fruit, you change roots.

Part 1: Daily Preventative Medicine (The 4 G's)

Think of this as taking your vitamins. Every morning, root yourself in gospel truth by reminding yourself of who God really is:

God is Great: He's in control of my day
God is Glorious: His opinion of me is what matters
God is Good: He will satisfy me today
God is Gracious: I'm already accepted in Christ

This daily practice helps prevent symptoms from showing up in the first place. When you start your day rooted in these truths, you're less likely to be derailed by circumstances. (Dig deeper on these 4 G’s here)

Part 2: When You Discover Bad Fruit (Drill Down to the Root)

When you do notice sinful, destructive behavior or attitudes, here's your gospel medicine:

Step 1: Identify the Bad Fruit Don't immediately try to stop the behavior. Ask yourself: "What am I believing right now that's producing this fruit?"

Step 2: Trace It to the Root Dig deeper. Which of the 4 G's are you doubting? What lies about God are you believing? Is it that God's not great (not in control)? Not glorious (His approval isn't enough)? Not good (He's withholding something)? Not gracious (He won't forgive this)? What lies about yourself are you believing? 

Step 3: Replace the Lie with Truth This is where real Mark 1:14-15 repentance happens. You turn from the lie and toward the truth about who God really is. Remind yourself of the specific truth you need from the 4 G's.

Step 4: Live from the Truth Now instead of trying to produce good behavior through willpower, you're receiving it as the natural overflow of believing the truth about God.  

A Real-Life Example

Let's say you're scrolling social media and suddenly feel inadequate because everyone else seems to have their life together. The old approach would be to lecture yourself about comparison or maybe delete the app.

The Root to Fruit approach asks: "What lie am I believing that's making me feel this way?"

The lie might be: "My worth comes from having it all together" or "God's love for me depends on my performance compared to others."

The truth? You are fully accepted and delighted in by the God of the universe, not because of what you've accomplished, but because of what Christ accomplished for you. Your worth isn't determined by your Instagram-worthy moments—it's determined by the cross.

When you believe that truth—really believe it—the comparison loses its power. Not because you try harder to not compare, but because you're rooted in something deeper than social media validation. 

Why This Changes Everything

The difference between fruit-picking and root-changing is the difference between behavior modification and heart transformation. One is temporary and exhausting. The other is lasting and life-giving.

God meets you right where you are—not when you’ve cleaned yourself up, but in the middle of the mess. And He loves you far too much to leave you there. He is at work transforming you more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

When you're rooted in the truth about who God is and who you are in Christ, good behavior isn't something you have to manufacture—it's something that naturally grows. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control become the natural fruit of a heart that's rooted in gospel truth.

That’s because the Gospel is not based on you or your behavior (good or bad). It is entirely rooted in Christ's finished work. You don’t become acceptable because you change—you change because, in Christ, you’ve already been accepted. 

Your Turn 

As we hit the midpoint of 2025, don't make new resolutions. Don't promise to try harder. Instead, start paying attention to your roots.

The next time you notice bad fruit in your life—whether it's worry, anger, pride, or anything else—don't just try to stop the behavior. Ask yourself what you're believing about God that's producing that fruit. Then remind yourself of the truth: He is great, glorious, good, and gracious.

Real change doesn't happen from the outside in. It happens from the inside out, from the roots up.

And the beautiful thing? You don't have to do this alone. This kind of transformation happens best in community, where others can help you see your blind spots and remind you of gospel truth when you forget.

So stop trying to fix your behavior. Start examining your beliefs. The fruit will follow.

Want to learn more about gospel-centered transformation? The "Root to Fruit" concept comes from Jeff Vanderstelt's work at SaturatetheWorld.com, where you can find more resources for living out the gospel in everyday life.