What Is Barrenness and How Can We Avoid It?

What is Barrenness?
Barrenness refers to anything—things, efforts, or people—that fail to produce results or reach their full potential. It’s like having something that exists but doesn’t work or bear fruit.

For example, when we say someone’s arm is “withered,” it means the arm is there but cannot function properly, almost like it’s dead.

Similarly, not all coconuts from a palm tree are useful—some are dry and useless. These dry ones are what we call “barrenness,” even though they look like coconuts.

Biblical Examples of Barrenness

Revelation 6:12-14 compares the Day of the Lord to a fig tree shaken by a strong wind, causing unripe fruit (barrenness) to fall off. Just as some fruit never ripens and eventually falls, so on that day, God will remove everything unproductive.
2 Kings 2:19-22 tells the story of Elisha healing bad water that caused the land to be unproductive (barren). After Elisha put salt into the water, it became pure and the land started producing again.
Job 15:32 also references barrenness, showing it’s a well-known concept.

Does Barrenness Still Exist Today?

Yes. For example:

A woman who keeps miscarrying might be experiencing spiritual or natural barrenness.
Someone working hard for a long time without success is facing barrenness.
You may put effort into something good, but it never really succeeds.
You might have spiritual gifts that don’t bear any fruit.

What’s the Solution?

There are two important steps, and the first one must come before the second for real change to happen.

Step 1: Being “Salted”

Just like Elisha added salt to the water, you need to be spiritually “salted” to remove barrenness from your life.

Here, “salt” means the Word of God—not physical salt or anointing oil. It’s a symbol of spiritual purification and power.

Jesus said in Mark 9:47-49 that if something in your life causes you to sin, remove it, even if it hurts, because it’s better to lose part of yourself than to be destroyed spiritually. He finishes by saying, “Everyone will be salted with fire,” meaning the process of purification involves challenges and sacrifice.

What does this “cutting off” or “salting” look like?

Bad friends: Friends who lead you into sin or discourage your dreams are like poison. Avoid them even if it’s painful.
Wrong jobs or habits: If you rely on dishonest or illegal work and expect God’s blessing, that won’t happen. Change your ways.
Anything that separates you from God: This includes attitudes, actions, or attachments that make you spiritually unclean.

In short: True transformation begins when you fully commit to following Jesus Christ. Take up your cross daily and surrender your life to Him. This is the key to removing barrenness.

Step 2: Prayer for Healing

After you’ve committed your life to Jesus and are willing to remove all sin and bad influences, pray for God’s healing in your life.

Here is a prayer you can say in faith:

“Dear God, I know that without You, I cannot produce anything good. I come before You, asking for forgiveness for all my sins. I confess that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and I want to follow Him fully. Please make me a new person and write my name in Your Book of Life. I accept Your Word as salt in my life to purify me. Help me to leave behind all bad habits, people, and things that do not please You, no matter what the cost. Heal me now, especially in this area of barrenness (mention your area). Thank You, Lord Jesus, for healing me. I pray this in faith. Amen.”

After praying:

Believe that God has already started working in your life. Show your faith by avoiding sinful behavior and living a life devoted to Jesus. These are the last days, so draw closer to God every day.

God bless you. Amen.

If you want, I can also help you create a shorter summary or a version suited for sharing in conversation or teaching. Would you like that?

3) with additional theological details, with appropriate bible version used

Certainly! Here’s a clearer, logically organized, and theologically enriched version of your document with carefully chosen Bible verses from the English Standard Version (ESV), which is widely respected for accuracy and clarity:

Understanding Barrenness: What It Is and How to Overcome It

What Is Barrenness?

Barrenness, biblically speaking, refers to a state of unfruitfulness or failure to produce the intended spiritual or physical results. It is a condition where potential is present but remains unfulfilled.

The term “barrenness” comes from the concept of being withered or unproductive. For example, when Scripture speaks of a withered arm (like in the case of the man healed by Jesus in Luke 13:11-13), it implies an organ that is present but unusable. Similarly, some fruit on a tree remains unripe or withered and falls off without yielding fruit.

Biblical Foundations of Barrenness

Revelation 6:12-14 (ESV):
“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,
and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.”

Here, the Day of the Lord is likened to a fig tree shaking off its unripe fruit—the “barrenness” that never matures. This metaphor illustrates God’s judgment removing all unfruitfulness and imperfection.

2 Kings 2:19-22 (ESV):
“And the men of the city said to Elisha, ‘Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.’
He said, ‘Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.’ So they brought it to him.
Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt into it and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor unfruitfulness shall come from it.’
And the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.”

This passage demonstrates a divine act of purification and restoration. The salt symbolizes God’s Word and power that cleanse spiritual and physical barrenness, resulting in life and productivity.

Job 15:32 (ESV) references barrenness as a condition of failure and loss, underscoring its recognition in ancient Scripture.

Does Barrenness Exist Today?

Yes, barrenness is not only physical but also spiritual and practical:

Women may experience repeated miscarriages (physical barrenness).
Individuals may labor long without seeing success (spiritual or practical barrenness).
One may have spiritual gifts or callings without fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom.
Projects, relationships, or ministries that never come to fruition reflect barrenness.

The Theological Solution to Barrenness

Step 1: Being Salted with the Word of God

In the Old Testament, salt was used for purification and preservation (Leviticus 2:13, Ezekiel 16:4). Spiritually, being “salted” means being purified, sanctified, and empowered by God’s Word.

Elisha’s act of putting salt into the water is symbolic of the cleansing power of God’s Word (Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”).

Jesus taught about salt in:

Mark 9:47-49 (ESV):
“And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.
For everyone will be salted with fire.”

Here, Jesus emphasizes the necessary spiritual discipline and purification required to enter God’s Kingdom. “Salted with fire” speaks of trials, purification through suffering, and cleansing from sin.

Practical Application of Being Salted:

Cut off harmful influences: Remove friendships or associations that pull you away from God (1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”).
Reject sinful practices: If your livelihood or habits oppose God’s commands, repent and change (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Commit fully to Christ: Take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23) and live a sanctified life.

Step 2: Prayer and Faith for Healing

After committing to repentance and holiness, pray fervently for healing and fruitfulness.

Sample Prayer of Faith:

“Heavenly Father, I recognize that without You, I can do nothing (John 15:5). I come to You in humility, asking for forgiveness for my sins and failures.
I confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and surrender my life fully to Him.
Please write my name in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5) and purify me with Your Word.
Help me to remove all sin, bad influences, and barrenness from my life.
Heal me in the area of (mention your specific issue), and make me fruitful in Your Kingdom.
I receive Your healing by faith and thank You for Your grace and mercy in Jesus’ name, Amen.”