Whether you buy it at the store or are a gardener and harvest it at home, most of us understand what good and bad fruit is. Multiple times in the Bible we see spiritual topics tied to the idea of plants producing fruit, so let’s explore the subject further.
The Standard: What Good Fruit Looks Like
So, what is this “fruit” and what does it look like? The Apostle Paul answers this question in Galatians 5.
Fruit is not just religious activity. It isn’t merely church attendance, Bible trivia knowledge, good moral behavior, or nice personality traits. We can be polite and still be spiritually dead. We can be busy in a church and still misrepresent God’s purpose.
>> Fruit is not what we do for God — it is what God produces in us.
Paul writes: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self‑control” (Galatians 5:22–23). The word fruit here is singular…these are not nine separate fruits, but one fruit with nine attributes. Our fruit must have all nine of these qualities to be identified as the fruit of the Spirit.
All nine of these attributes need to define our character and be part of who we are as followers of Christ.
The Source: Staying in Christ
But how do we bear fruit in the first place?
Jesus Christ provided clarity when He said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The first thing to notice is that we are not the fruit, nor are we the entire plant. Jesus says we are the branches. He is the vine and source of what we as branches use to produce fruit. This fruit is not produced by trying harder. It is not produced by making promises I can’t keep. It is not produced by sheer willpower. Fruit is produced by abiding (or staying/remaining) in Christ and His teaching. This means we are dependent upon Him, otherwise we are apart from Him and “can do nothing.” Not less. Not very little. Nothing.
We live in a culture that celebrates independence and self-reliance, but good spiritual fruit grows only when we depend upon Jesus. The branch (us) produces grapes by staying connected to the vine (Christ Jesus).
Remember that you are a branch which is growing in the vine of Christ. The fruit is supposed to appear on your branch and it needs to be what Paul described above. Sometimes we focus on one or two of these attributes, and view them as our strengths to be used for God, but the simple truth is that we need to show all of them.
The Christian needs to be known for not just kindness, but also patience, gentleness and self-control. People should observe us as being full of peace and love, but also as joyful individuals. We must show the world goodness, but also faithfulness. These are all facets of who we need to be, and should affect our hearts and everything we do.
The Help: God Works in Us
Knowing what the good fruit looks like and making it happen are two different things. Thankfully, God knows who we are and what each of us needs. He does not call us to bear fruit and then leave us to figure it out alone. The entire Trinity is involved in your transformation. Recall that our source (the vine) is Christ Himself.
Paul encourages us further with this important truth: “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). God wants His faithful servants to succeed, so He works within us.
To help us produce more fruit of the Spirit, the Father (the loving Gardener in this metaphor) prunes. Jesus says, “every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Pruning may sound painful, but gardeners know it has essential purpose. God cuts away what hinders growth so that we may bear more fruit. His pruning is not punishment; it is preparation.
When a Christian fails, because we all do, take comfort that Jesus intercedes for His people to help them accomplish God’s will. Hebrews 7:25 teaches us that, “He always lives to make intercession for them.”
You are not walking this journey alone. Heaven is invested in your growth.
The Process
Remember that fruit takes time to grow, and God knows this. Peach trees don’t bloom and produce fruit overnight, and neither do disciples. But if the Spirit is present, fruit will be present. Growth may be slow, but it will be real...so be patient.
The question is not whether we are perfect, none but Jesus is (Hebrews 4:15), the question is whether we are growing.
A Life That Matches the Message
God is not impressed by our church buildings, how many religious activities we have, or the name over the door. He is watching and waiting for people whose lives look like the One they claim to follow, Jesus Christ. He is looking for someone whose fruit is good and visible, whose actions and loving attitude can only be explained by the presence of Christ within them.
How are you doing?
For further information, prayers, or to set up in-person or remote study, please feel very free to contact me.
Jeff Mullen
Blanco Hills Church
830-554-0701
blancohillschurch.com