Grow the Good Stuff: Learning How to Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit
A Warning from Galatians
In Galatians 5, the churches of Galatia had shifted their focus from faith in Christ to rule-following and legalistic standards based on tradition, firmly rooted in the Torah and the Oral Law. These Christians were falling away from the freedom and truth that Jesus had acquired for them through His life, death, and resurrection, and accepting a new gospel that claimed salvation came through Jesus plus the fulfillment of the Law. In other words, they believed they had to earn their salvation rather than simply accepting Christ’s free gift of grace. They were producing, but not in a fruitful manner.
How Often Do We Rob Ourselves
After reading Galatians 5, I wondered how often I, too, rob myself of this freedom—this freedom that has been afforded to me and presents an opportunity, through love, to serve others.
How often, through the lie of performance, have I tried to produce something in my own power or in vain—failing to recognize that my identity isn’t rooted in my performance, but in who I belong to, and that my fruit only comes from Him?
Keeping in Step with the Spirit
Paul then admonishes believers to “keep in step with the Spirit.” When believers stay “in step” with the Spirit, they will not desire to satisfy the works of the flesh, which are many. Paul outlines, in Galatians 5:19–21, a lengthy list of the works of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies. He states that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
This list is then contrasted with a lifestyle focused on God-centered living:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, NIV)
The list of the flesh portrays a life built on corrupt character, self-centeredness, and chaos; whereas the Fruit of the Spirit expresses a life of ethical character, symmetry, others-focus, and balance.
Fruitfulness in Scripture
The idea of fruitfulness is found throughout Scripture. Israel is frequently referred to as the “vineyard” of the Lord. Likewise, the man who delights in the law of the Lord is compared to “a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season” (Ps. 1:3).
The problem with my identity being wrapped up in performance is that I can never produce spiritual fruit without being attached to the Spirit. These character traits are not cultivated through my own will and emotions; instead, their manifestation is birthed through the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, the fruit of my flesh can be anger and jealousy if I’m not plugged into God.
Abide, Don’t Strive
In John 15:1–5, he writes about God:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful… Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Jesus reveals the secret to cultivating fruit. He first identifies Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches. We are unable to produce fruit on our own—we must remain in the vine.
The Greek word used in John 15, menō, means to abide, remain, tarry, or dwell. We are to stand, stay, and dwell with God and not depart from His presence. He is to be our abode—our home. When we sit in the presence of God, then and only then will the fruit be cultivated in our lives.
You Can’t Naturally Produce Spiritual Fruit
So, cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in my life is not about making a list and thinking, “Today, I will grow peace in my life,” and then magically expecting it to happen.
An apple tree doesn’t think about growing apples. The branches simply stay connected to the trunk—and fruit comes naturally. It is the same with us. If we want more Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we must connect our lives and hearts to God. Then the Fruit of the Spirit will be evident to those who come into contact with us. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
We can pray and ask God for opportunities to produce more fruit of the Spirit in our lives. As we abide in Him and pray for more opportunities to show the Fruit of the Spirit, God will undoubtedly give us chances to display this fruit to others.
An apple is not produced for the apple tree but is fruit for others to consume. Likewise, the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is meant for others to experience and enjoy.
How to Create an Enviroment Ready to Grow Spiritual Fruit
Create space in your schedule for spiritual disciplines
Spend time studying the Bible
Take time to worship God at home
Go on a prayer walk
Find ways to love and serve your neighbor
The Heart Behind This Blog
This blog, Vine & Grace, is a direct response to over a decade of being—and continually being—refined by the Lord. It is the recognition that it is only through His provision and the Vine (John 15) that I can produce any fruit in my life.
I am not inherently loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, good, faithful, gentle, or self-controlled. But when I choose to abide and remain in Him, those fruits begin to manifest in my life.
As we journey together through God’s Word, I hope you, too, will choose to abide in the Heavenly Father and recognize that, through His grace, you are becoming a fruitful new creation in Him.
Join Me on the Journey…