Fruitful

posted on: 1.19.2012

© Luminous Lu
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Galatians 5:22-26
Walking in the Spirit is like walking over clouds for me: you can imagine what it feels like but, it feel impossible to do. I mean, take this passage as a whole. Paul is making some big statements (isn't he always?) and really piercing the flesh & our way of walking. To master all the fruits, at the same time, is that even a possibility for me?

It is.

This is what Jesus said,
"You will recognize them by their fruits."
Matthew 7:16
Jesus is saying that bearing fruits comes naturally. Now, whether that fruit is healthy or rotten is another story. What our life and its influence on others reveals the kind of fruits we are bearing.

Take some time to evaluate the fruits you're producing. Is it healthy? Is it rotten? Remember, Jesus said that bad trees are only good for fire (Matt. 7:19), ouch! It's also like when we actually buy fruits: we want the ones that will do us good not the ones that will make us sick.

{to be continued}

14 Smiles:

  1. This is a very timely word for me. We discussed this yesterday in our church youth group :)

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  2. I absolutely love this post. The way you worded it is perfect :)

    Be the fruit.

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  3. I agree with Laura - a timely message for myself, as well!! Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... sounds so intimidating! Yet when we are able to feel and show all of these things, there is truly nothing like it! Praise God!

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  4. such a beautiful post to remind us all of the type of fruits we should be producing. something that is so hard to do, yet so important to try and accomplish.

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  5. Great verse to reflect on during a quiet Friday - thanks for sharing.

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  6. I adore that passage, I actually bought a canvas from Beka from Hold On Love...
    but I did a study once on this FOTS and I liked how it talked about FRUIT on the Tree isn't put on the Tree FULLY ripened. It takes TIME to grow into FRUIT. It takes time to become RIPE. Same with us in our Spirits, it can be a slow process waiting for fruit to be READY. We have to remember that in our growing process....
    glad you are writing about this!!!

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  7. I loved your post. Needed to read it today :) Growing up in a charismatic church environment, sometimes you get the idea that being full of the Holy Spirit is all about who's loudest or who jumps the highest, but the challenge in this passage is so much bigger than that... it's also a lot harder than that, hehe.. Thankfully, we have the Spirit's help in making our lives produce the kind of fruit that Jesus expects from us.

    Girl, thanks for sharing! I don't comment a lot but I read all your posts, and have been really blessed by them. Keep pouring out what's in that heart of yours :) it's awesome stuff!

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  8. Oh, I love your blog!! Found you through 20SB, will definitely be back in the future!!

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  9. Just found your blog and am now following! BEAUTIFUL !

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  10. how have I not found your amazing blog till now?! I love :)

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  11. We just launched a Celebrate Recovery program in our broken little town. I know that this is where God wants me to grow fruit right now. Before my 24 year old son's suicide almost 2 years ago, I thought I would work with middle schoolers in Young Life forever. Now I know God's plan for me is to help others with hurts, hangups and habits in this CR program. Ryan's death was a heartache that will never go away but his life in Christ will help my husband, Ron, and I connect God's love to others who are suffering alone.

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  12. this has been my spiritual heart this month more than ever. love it.
    p.s: have you ever heard or read anything by kat kerr? she comes and speaks at our church every now and then and is AMAZING. you crossed my mind last night while she was sharing with us.
    xoxo

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I read every single one.