Becoming Even More Fruitful
Continuing to ask for more for our inner man to produce fruit for all
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Walk in the Spirit, says Paul, and not in the lusts of the flesh, for these two are opposites. The works of flesh are evident, like weeds in a garden, thorns, rocks, sticks, and mud, in which good things do not grow.
But the Spirit produces what is good—fruit, which on a tree or vine is evident and edible, good for all. The work of the Spirit in us produces this fruit, and we are like a tree planted by rivers of water, bearing fruit in season (Psalm 1:3)
What good is fruit? It is not merely something pleasing to look at, nor admire only from afar, but fruit is good for two reasons.
First, it is evidence of life. A fig tree that had no figs was cursed by our Savior. But a tree with figs, or apples or cherries visible would be alive. So it is with the fruit of the Spirit, it is evidence of spiritual life. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit, and if we are seen producing bad fruit—or none at all, then spiritual life cannot be observed by others.
Second, producing fruit is not for ourselves only, nor for others to admire in us, but rather for sharing with those around us. It is not our fruit, it is the Lord’s fruit and is meant to be seen and shared to others for their good. Fruit is nutritious to the body when eaten, and spiritual fruit is spiritually nutritious for the Body of Christ. The love of God, produced through us, is shared to others around us. So then is the peace of God, the joy of the Lord, His kindness, and so on.
We began praying for this last time, asking to grow, increase, and be strong in our inner self, and our first focus was on the first fruit, namely love.
Now we continue asking for more fruit from these verses:
Joy (gladness) - These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11)
Peace - and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Longsuffering (patience, endurance) - strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; (Colossians 1:11)
Kindness (gentleness) - Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, (Colossians 1:12)
Goodness - that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. (Romans 15:12)
Faithfulness (fidelity, conviction) - Watch, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Gentleness (meekness) - to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men. (Titus 3:2)
Self-control - training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:12)
Ask of the Father in Jesus Name—how much more will the Father give what He wants to give us, to those of us who ask Him for it?! He will give, generously, what He has pledged to give—all we have to do is ask, seek, and knock that we might bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Keep this in mind, we cannot produce this fruit on our own. It cannot be manufactured or faked. It is produced by the Spirit of God, and may not even be evident to ourselves. We cannot look in a mirror and see we are more fruitful with love or joy or kindness, it will be only be seen by others that we are producing fruit in keeping with repentance. Remain rooted near the river of living water, that is, continually deep in the Word of God and in prayer. What the Lord produces from our vine will bring Him glory and benefit His Church.
A Prayer Insight
When something unsettling happens, we usually react by being unsettled. We lose a job, get a bad diagnosis, have someone gossip about us, lie to us, or do anything that goes against our preferences.
Being upset is often our first reaction.
What should happen next?
From The Second Reaction - an Alistair Begg Devotional, we learn that the prophet Samuel is displeased when the people said “give us a king.” After all his years, all his service, all his leadership as prophet and judge for Israel, their demand displeases him.
How often is this our reaction? Often, it seems, for many of us. It could be in our family, on the jobsite, at the grocery store, or among fellow Christians.
What do we do then?
And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
Samuel’s immediate and understandable reaction was to be unhappy and angry. But he didn’t dwell there. Instead, his second reaction was to pray. Samuel’s disapproval led him to talk to God about all that was happening and to seek His counsel and His intervention.
Allistair Begg
Finish the devotional from Truth For Life here
Photo by Cristy Zinn on Unsplash