If you’re a Christian, you’ve probably heard of the phrase “bearing fruit” used to describe a life that is walking in accordance with the standards of God. But what does it really mean to “bear fruit”? Is it the same as good works, or does it involve something deeper?

In this blog post, we will explore the nature of bearing fruit and what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Why It’s Important?

According to Scripture, bearing fruit is important for several reasons. In the New Testament, Jesus often used the metaphor of a fruit-bearing tree to describe the nature of his followers’ lives. He emphasized the importance of producing good fruit, which symbolizes acts of righteousness and good deeds that reflect God’s love and character.
In John 15:5, Jesus said, “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.”

This passage emphasizes the significance of being connected to Christ, the source of life, and having His life flow through us. The apostle Paul also wrote about the importance of bearing fruit in Galatians 5:22-23, where he listed the fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Scripture teaches that bearing fruit is important because it is a reflection of our relationship with God.

What Bearing Fruit Is Not

According to Scripture, bearing fruit is not just about external performance Nor from works-based salvation.

Jesus warned against the danger of doing good deeds to gain recognition or approval from others, rather than out of a genuine desire to serve God and love others (Matthew 6:1-4).

The Bible makes it clear that bearing fruit is not just about outward actions, but also about the condition of our hearts. Jesus highlighted true righteousness involves inward transformation, as He said in Matthew 5:20: "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

Bearing Fruits Of The Flesh

“Bearing fruits of the flesh” is the effect of living according to our sinful nature. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the “acts of the flesh” as sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

These behaviors are defined as the opposite of the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Bearing fruits of the flesh is a reflection of a person’s sinful nature, leading to spiritual decay and separated from the Grace of God.

Bearing Inferior Fruits

Bearing inferior fruits refers to producing works that fall short of God’s essence and fail to demonstrate authentic faith in Christ. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received by faith alone. Good works are evidence of genuine faith, but they do not contribute to a person’s salvation.

Bearing bad fruits means producing works that are motivated by self-interest or pride, rather than by a desire to serve God and love others. The Holy Spirit transforms the heart { Meaning; the inner person/ the psyche }, leading to a life characterized by love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit.

Believers are called to bear fruit that reflects the character of Christ, relying on His strength and guidance rather than their own efforts. When good works are produced from within a heart transformed by grace, they are evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.

Doing As You Please

Galatians 5:16-17, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." This passage highlights the importance of following the Spirit’s leading and rejecting the desires of the flesh. Doing as you please, without regard for God’s will or guidance, can lead to a life marked by selfishness, sin, and spiritual emptiness. It is only by abiding in Christ that we can bear fruit that is pleasing to God and valuable to others.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “bearing fruit” means “to produce fruit; to yield results; to be productive or successful.”

Bearing Fruits Of The Spirit

The word “fruits” indicates that these qualities are the genuine outcome of a person’s vitality that is embedded in Christ and conducted by the Holy Spirit. These fruits are not the product of human effort or willpower but are evidence of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. The fruits of the Spirit mirror the essence of Christ and are evidence of His actuality in your life. Fruits are not external behaviors but are the inward transformation that produces those external behaviors. Spiritual Fruits are the proof of a genuine relationship with Christ and are critical for the evolution and maturity of a follower of The Way.

Abiding in bad fruits means you fall short of God’s glory, guided by your own flesh, leading you to abide in narcissism; a spiritual void. Disciples of Christ must bear fruit that mirrors Christ’s nature, depending on Him, rather than our fallible selves. The fruits of the Spirit are proof of a true connection with Christ and are critical for evolving and maturing. Spiritual fruits are supernaturally produced from a heart transformed by Grace.

Spiritual Fruits are supernaturally produced in a heart transformed by grace.