We the Wellspring – Figs

We The Wellspring is a new Christian music venture, lead by Josh Taylor, that showcases artists from all over East Texas. They create new songs for the church body and discipline Worship Pastors within that state.

Josh himself personally asked me to review his song Figs.  Challenge accepted!

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Though We the Wellspring questions their own heart and mental condition and their works that flow from it, they admit that dying to self, cease worrying, and constant connection with Jesus are the only ways they can bear good fruit, works that are pleasing to God. It is because Jesus lives that makes this possible. The saints throughout the whole earth praise God in response to His goodness.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All lines are in agreement with God’s inspired Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistle?
Where is my heart and where is my mind?

References Matthew 7:15-20, which is a portion of Jesus’ commentary regarding good and bad trees and their respective fruits.  We the Wellspring contemplates the type of tree that they are, echoing the internal warfare expressed by Paul in Romans 7:15-20 and recognizing bad fruit starts within the heart and mind of man (James 1:14-15).

Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistle?
Where is my heart and where is my mind?

Repeats lines 1 and 2.

[Pre-Chorus]

The only way to bear good fruit is to die.

In order to bear good fruit, we must surrender self for the sake of following Jesus (John 15:1-11 and Romans 6:1-23).

[Chorus 1]

Because He lives, He lives, I can live. (x3)

Quotes John 14:19, where Jesus states that we will live because He lives.

The only way to bear good fruit is to abide. (x2)

References Jesus’ vine and branches passage in John 15:1-11. Jesus is the vine to which we are connected and may bear good fruit.

[Verse 2]

Tell me can worry and love fill the same space?

We the Wellspring rhetorically asks this question with an obvious answer: There is no fear in love; perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

The whole earth sings redemption song.

Probably a reference to Psalm 66:4, where the whole earth (that is, the saints) sing praises to God.

Tell me can worry and love fill the same space?
The whole earth sings redemption song.

Repeats lines 1 and 2.

[Chorus 2]

Christ died as me, as me, so I am free. (x3)

Though not literally “me”, Jesus became sin on our behalf so that we could be free to live righteously for God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The only way to bear good fruit is to abide. (x2)

Repeats Chorus 1, line 2.

Christ died as me, as me, so I am free. (x3)
The only way to bear good fruit is to abide. (x3)

Repeats lines 1 and 2.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

This song is thick with Christianese, making it difficult for unstudied unbelievers to follow along without further research.  Its references to Christ and His death will make it obvious that it’s a Christian song.  It seems obvious that those outside the camp of Christ are not We the Wellspring’s intended audience.

Score: 6/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Its core message of Christ’s sacrificial love that enables us to bear good fruit glorifies God.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

We the Wellspring’s Figs is a good song that reminds us of our own inadequacies and necessity to continually sacrifice ourselves for the sake of Christ, resulting in good works.  Though it contains heavy use of repetition and will become difficult for unbelievers to comprehend, their overall message of connection with God that produces good fruit brings Him glory.

It is certainly inspirational, but difficult to recommend for worship due to its heavy repetition and testimonial nature.  This goes double for seeker-sensitive churches.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Figs (listen to the song)

Artist: We the Wellspring

Album: Figs

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2019

Duration: 4:25

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2019 Joshua a Taylor / The Nation Records. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/26/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.  I increased section 1’s score.  This did not affect the overall rating.

03/27/2020 – Upon further reflection and prayer, I decided that repetition does not impact an unbeliever’s interpretation or the lyrics’ inherent glorification of God. Therefore, I changed my score in section 4, raising this review from 8.5/10 to 9/10.