Bearing Spiritual Fruit

Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the sicked, nor stand in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

We have all seen the large, beautiful trees by the rivers edge. The root system is strong and healthy, rooted deep to withstand storms and hardships. The leaves are the richest shades of green providing shade to anything near. The branches stay grafted to the tree and multiply in number only making the tree more stable and prosperous. God’s Word describes the person who delights in the Lord as one of these trees, a tree that is healthy, helpful, stable and bears fruit.

In order to bear spiritual fruit, we must first be “grafted” into the vine. John 15:5 says God is the vine and we are the branches and if we remain in Him we will bear fruit. However, many times we try to “grow” spiritual fruit in our lives through our own strength and planning. We “self-talk” ourselves into having the right attitude or doing the right thing. More often than not, we fail, we become frustrated and often start believing that this is an unattainable goal. The problem is, we don’t always stop long enough to realize that the goal is only unattainable through our devices. Bearing spiritual fruit comes naturally from a life that is firmly attached to the vine (Jesus).

I try to often pray and ask God to shine a light on the recess of my heart and to help me see and evaluate my own life. Am I bearing spiritual fruit? Do I daily have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If I am lacking in any area I must ask why:

Am I allowing Jesus to work in my life?

Do I have unconfessed sin?

Am I drawing closer to God through study and prayer?

Am I quick to share the good news of Jesus with others?

Is there anything I have allowed in my life that hinders my relationship to Jesus?

I must stay “connected” to the vine to bear fruit. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night.

Pastor Julia Scott