How to Plant Seeds to Grow the Fruit of the Spirit

Let me show you how to plant seeds to grow the fruit of the spirit.

There is a process that takes place when you plant seeds to grow fruit. The seed has to be buried in fertile soil at the appropriate time.

The seed germinates after receiving the right amount of water. If a seed does not have sufficient water it will not produce fruit.

The shell of the seed cracks so the embryo can push through. Interestingly, the shell actually stays stuck on the embryo for a time before it is all off. It doesn’t come off right away!

The embryo then pushes its way through the soil towards the light of the sun.

In due season, with the help of the light, water and air the fruit begins to grow but it’s not ripe just yet. It still needs time to develop into fruit that is ripest so you may eat it.

The same exact process takes place as we grow the fruits of the spirit.

It’s also important to recognize the season that you are in.

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
~Matthew 13:23~

the elements needed to go from seed to fruit:

Light

It’s so amazing to see any plant move toward the light. Whether it’s light from the sun or a light source inside. In fact, if you move a lamp in a different location the plant will change the direction of its growth.

In the same way, as we grow we should always move toward the light of Christ.

John 1:9-12 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
1 John 1:5-7 – This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Water

Plants need water in order to survive. It provides much needed nutrients while it’s just a seedling. As the plant grows out of the soil it washes the dirt off of it.

Not only does the water wash away all of the filth from us, it provides much needed food for our souls and quenches our thirst.

John 3:5 – Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Ezekiel 47:12 – Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
Ephesians 5:26-27 – to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Air

Plants need air just like we do, except they breathe in co2 and breathe out oxygen. The wind helps to strengthen their stems and leaves. It also blows off any unwanted dirt or pests.

We need air to live just like we need the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our helper, to guide us, to intercede for us, to strengthen us, to give us power and to remind us what Jesus taught.

John 3:8 – the wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
John 20:22 – And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”

What are the fruits of the spirit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23~

Here are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and their meanings:

Fruit of the Spirit Love

God is love; which is why it is so crucial for us to grow this fruit. We were created in His image so how could we not love Him and all His other creations. It’s so important to God that there is no greater commandment.

Mark 12:31 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.

Fruit of the Spirit Joy

An overwhelming feeling of contentment in your circumstances and in your relationship with the Lord.

Psalms 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Fruit of the Spirit Peace

With all the uncertainty around us we need God’s peace more than anytime that I can remember. Peace keeps us centered and focused.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Fruit of the Spirit Forbearance/Patience/Longsuffering

Patience is a skill that needs to be developed over time. If you ask God for patience, you just don’t receive patience. You come across situations that will help you learn how to endure and then, as a result, become patient.

James 5:7-8 – Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Fruit of the Spirit Kindness

The world would be a better place if we would have a tender heart for others.

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Fruit of the Spirit Goodness

Actively doing good or being generous for the benefit of others.

Galatians 6:10 – Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Fruit of the Spirit Faithfulness

Loyalty, trustworthiness, obedience. Living by faith despite everything that is happening around us.

John 14:15 – If you love me, keep my commands.

Fruit of the Spirit Gentleness

Being gracious and merciful to others or loving while you’re correcting someone. Or showing humility instead of boasting about a great accomplishment.