Traits of Spiritual Fruitfulness

What does God mean when He says we should bear fruit? Four aspects of fruitfulness, according to Scripture, are:

1. Winning others to Jesus Christ and helping them to grow spiritually. Paul wrote to his friends in Rome, “I often planned to come to you . . . that I might have some fruit among you” (Romans 1:13). So in whatever way God uses you, whether you’re praying for someone, driving them to church or a Bible study, or sharing the gospel, that is fruit in your life.

2. Sharing what God has blessed us with. When Paul collected an offering from the Gentiles for the poor saints in Jerusalem, he referred to that offering as fruit (see Romans 15:28). When we take our finances and invest them in the kingdom through tithes and offerings, it will result in fruit to our account.

3. Praising and thanking God. When we lift our voices to sing to God, that is an offering to Him. Even if you don’t know all the words, just give it your best, because that is a way to bear fruit.

4. A change in our conduct and character: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). These virtues should be a part of our lives, but they don’t appear overnight. It takes time. Be patient, and sink your roots deeply into the person of Jesus Christ.

If we keep applying ourselves to the basic disciplines of spiritual growth, then we will continue to flourish and bear fruit. May we glorify God by bearing fruit in our lives as we become more like Him.