Be Fruitful
Have you ever heard the phrase “be fruitful” and wondered what it means? Is it even possible?
The first time we encounter “be fruitful” is in the book of Genesis. In chapter one, we learn that God commanded the waters to abundantly bring forth living creatures, including the fowl that fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. Then, He created great whales, other creatures that move in the water, and every type of winged fowl. After declaring them good, God blessed them and commanded them to “be fruitful and multiply” (vv. 20-22).
The next occurrence of “be fruitful” is in Genesis 1:24-28. After the Lord brought forth the living creatures of the earth—cattle, creeping things, and beasts—and declared them good, He made humans (male and female) in His image and likeness, blessing them, and commanding them to “be fruitful and multiply” (v. 28).
Be Spiritually Fruitful
Like the living creatures and humans in the creation account, believers in Christ are commanded to “be fruitful and multiply” spiritually. Let’s look at Psalm 1. In verses 1-2, the righteous person's positive characteristics are contrasted with the ungodly person's negative attributes in verses 4-5. When we closely examine verse 3, we discover that the righteous person is described as a tree planted by the rivers of water, being nourished continually, bringing forth fruit in her season, not experiencing withering leaves, and prospering in everything he does.
The prophet Jeremiah, speaking to the people of Judah, who trusted in men rather than God, explained what trusting in men would look like versus trusting in the Lord. Those who trust and hope in the Lord would be like a tree planted by the waters, having green leaves that will never cease to yield fruit (Jeremiah 17:5-8).
In the New Testament, we see indirect commands to be fruitful and multiply. For example, in John chapter 15, Jesus described to His disciples how He is the true vine and God (the Father) is the husbandman who owns and takes care of the vine (v. 1).[1] He explained that they were branches and admonished them to abide in Him so they would bring forth much fruit, adding this caveat: Without Him, they could do nothing (v. 5). In verse 16, Jesus reiterated that He selected and ordained (commanded) them to bring forth fruit that would always remain.
Our Spiritual Source
Because Jesus is the vine, He is the source of our fruitfulness. We see this in the fourth chapter of John, where His disciples were baptizing more people than John the Baptizer while carrying out His directives (v. 1).
As we read further in the chapter, we observe Jesus encounter a woman preparing to draw water at a well in Samaria. In His dialogue with her Jesus describes two water sources. He tells her that whoever drinks natural water will thirst again, but He has spiritual water to give her that will be like a well springing up into everlasting life—symbolizing spiritual fruitfulness (vv. 7-14).
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul identified the Source (seed) that dwells in believers, equipping us to produce the fruit (attributes) of love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and temperance. Thus, we have access to the Holy Spirit, who nourishes us to always be fruitful.
“Be (Remain) Fruitful” Challenge
We started with God’s command to “be fruitful.” A synonym for the word “be” is remain. Therefore, we should remain seedful by continuously depending on our life-producing Source to manifest spiritual fruit.
Faithfully, Relying, Undergirding, Inquiring, Trusting, Following, Unconditionally, Leaning
Over the next 7 days, identify several attributes of the fruit of the Spirit, allowing them to produce in your life. Journal the experience, considering the F.R.U.I.T.F.U.L. acronym above.
Dr. Latouna Hayes is an ordained minister and serves on the Women’s Strategic Team, Pastoral Care Ministry, and Praise Team at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. IL. She is also a licensed clinical professional counselor and the founder of Peculiar Treasures Christian Counseling, which integrates psychotherapy with a biblical perspective. You can learn more about her Christian counseling and life coaching practice at www.peculiartreasuresministries.com.
[1] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (1994). The KJV parallel Bible commentary (p. 2112). Thomas Nelson.
The first time we encounter “be fruitful” is in the book of Genesis. In chapter one, we learn that God commanded the waters to abundantly bring forth living creatures, including the fowl that fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. Then, He created great whales, other creatures that move in the water, and every type of winged fowl. After declaring them good, God blessed them and commanded them to “be fruitful and multiply” (vv. 20-22).
The next occurrence of “be fruitful” is in Genesis 1:24-28. After the Lord brought forth the living creatures of the earth—cattle, creeping things, and beasts—and declared them good, He made humans (male and female) in His image and likeness, blessing them, and commanding them to “be fruitful and multiply” (v. 28).
Be Spiritually Fruitful
Like the living creatures and humans in the creation account, believers in Christ are commanded to “be fruitful and multiply” spiritually. Let’s look at Psalm 1. In verses 1-2, the righteous person's positive characteristics are contrasted with the ungodly person's negative attributes in verses 4-5. When we closely examine verse 3, we discover that the righteous person is described as a tree planted by the rivers of water, being nourished continually, bringing forth fruit in her season, not experiencing withering leaves, and prospering in everything he does.
The prophet Jeremiah, speaking to the people of Judah, who trusted in men rather than God, explained what trusting in men would look like versus trusting in the Lord. Those who trust and hope in the Lord would be like a tree planted by the waters, having green leaves that will never cease to yield fruit (Jeremiah 17:5-8).
In the New Testament, we see indirect commands to be fruitful and multiply. For example, in John chapter 15, Jesus described to His disciples how He is the true vine and God (the Father) is the husbandman who owns and takes care of the vine (v. 1).[1] He explained that they were branches and admonished them to abide in Him so they would bring forth much fruit, adding this caveat: Without Him, they could do nothing (v. 5). In verse 16, Jesus reiterated that He selected and ordained (commanded) them to bring forth fruit that would always remain.
Our Spiritual Source
Because Jesus is the vine, He is the source of our fruitfulness. We see this in the fourth chapter of John, where His disciples were baptizing more people than John the Baptizer while carrying out His directives (v. 1).
As we read further in the chapter, we observe Jesus encounter a woman preparing to draw water at a well in Samaria. In His dialogue with her Jesus describes two water sources. He tells her that whoever drinks natural water will thirst again, but He has spiritual water to give her that will be like a well springing up into everlasting life—symbolizing spiritual fruitfulness (vv. 7-14).
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul identified the Source (seed) that dwells in believers, equipping us to produce the fruit (attributes) of love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and temperance. Thus, we have access to the Holy Spirit, who nourishes us to always be fruitful.
“Be (Remain) Fruitful” Challenge
We started with God’s command to “be fruitful.” A synonym for the word “be” is remain. Therefore, we should remain seedful by continuously depending on our life-producing Source to manifest spiritual fruit.
Faithfully, Relying, Undergirding, Inquiring, Trusting, Following, Unconditionally, Leaning
Over the next 7 days, identify several attributes of the fruit of the Spirit, allowing them to produce in your life. Journal the experience, considering the F.R.U.I.T.F.U.L. acronym above.
- What fruit did you identify?
- Did you remain faithful to allowing the Seed’s attributes to be produced?
- What obstacles did you experience that moved you to trust and lean on the Lord?
- Did you inquire through prayer how to allow the fruit’s attribute to manifest?
- Did you unconditionally rely on your Source?
- After you undergirded and followed through, how did it feel to produce the fruit’s attributes you identified?
Dr. Latouna Hayes is an ordained minister and serves on the Women’s Strategic Team, Pastoral Care Ministry, and Praise Team at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. IL. She is also a licensed clinical professional counselor and the founder of Peculiar Treasures Christian Counseling, which integrates psychotherapy with a biblical perspective. You can learn more about her Christian counseling and life coaching practice at www.peculiartreasuresministries.com.
[1] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (1994). The KJV parallel Bible commentary (p. 2112). Thomas Nelson.
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3 Comments
Praise The Lord!
nThe blog, Be Fruitful, is a masterpiece.
nI can identify my fruit is of the spirit!
nbiblical, truths, spiritual, and we can relate..
Praise the Lord! Thank you Dr. Hayes for sharing this insightful meaning of "being Fruitful." As believers of Christ, we should always examine our lives and characteristics to see that we are producing the fruit of righteousness.
This is a beautiful write up. Thanks, for sharing. It is plainly written, and is exactly how I would interpret the scriptures.