{"id":55572,"date":"2018-07-17T09:21:09","date_gmt":"2018-07-17T06:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=55572"},"modified":"2025-09-18T20:15:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:15:47","slug":"how-can-we-bear-fruit-for-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2018\/07\/17\/how-can-we-bear-fruit-for-god\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can We Bear Fruit for God?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To bear fruit for God, every Christian must go through a spiritual journey of growth. Jesus explained this journey using the Parable of the Sower<\/strong>, which illustrates four stages that every believer must encounter. Let\u2019s explore these stages as found in:<\/p>\n

Matthew 13:2\u20139 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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“And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This parable is not just about farming it is about our hearts<\/strong>, and how we receive and respond to the Word of God. It represents the stages of spiritual development in a Christian’s life from the moment they hear the Gospel.<\/p>\n

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Stage 1: The Path A Heart Not Yet Comprehending the Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At the beginning of your walk with God, you hear the Word perhaps for the first time and there is a stirring in your heart. You’re curious, you want to understand more, you feel a longing for truth. But in this early stage, the Word may not yet take root deeply because you haven\u2019t fully grasped its meaning.<\/p>\n

Jesus explains this stage further:<\/p>\n

Matthew 13:19 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cWhen anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If the Word isn\u2019t nurtured with understanding and spiritual hunger, the enemy (Satan) steals it away. That\u2019s why some profess Christianity outwardly but show no inner transformation. They attend church, sing in choirs, even say they are \u201cborn again,\u201d yet they have no passion, no spiritual fruit, and no deeper relationship with God.<\/p>\n

Key truth<\/strong>: The Word must be sought with spiritual hunger, or else it will not last. Let your desire to understand God increase, and allow the Holy Spirit to draw you further.<\/p>\n

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Stage 2: Rocky Ground\u00a0 Shallow Roots and Trials<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When a believer overcomes the first stage and begins to receive the Word with joy, the journey doesn\u2019t become easier it becomes tested<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Matthew 13:20\u201321 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cAs for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In this stage, your faith is tested<\/strong> through trials rejection, hardship, spiritual opposition. God allows these trials to refine<\/strong> and establish<\/strong> you. Every true believer must walk this path. Jesus Himself endured suffering, and He calls us to follow Him:<\/p>\n

Luke 9:23 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cIf anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Sadly, many abandon the faith when things become difficult. They started with zeal but lacked endurance. Let this not be your story. Stand firm, and trust that the trials are proof of your growth, not your failure.<\/p>\n

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Stage 3: Among Thorns\u00a0 Choked by Worldly Cares<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you press on through the trials, you face another test: worldly distraction<\/strong>. At this stage, Satan shifts tactics. Instead of direct opposition, he uses temptation, wealth, busyness, and pleasure<\/strong> to choke your spiritual life.<\/p>\n

Matthew 13:22 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cAs for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Many Christians lose their way here not because of persecution, but because of comfort. They replace time with God with business meetings, social media, or the pursuit of success. They cool down spiritually and stop bearing fruit, even though they may still appear \u201cactive\u201d in church.<\/p>\n

Jesus reminds us:<\/p>\n

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cBut seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Let nothing steal your time with God.<\/strong> Don\u2019t let your spiritual fire be dimmed by the distractions of this world.<\/p>\n

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Stage 4: Good Soil\u00a0 A Fruitful Life of Endurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is the goal to become good soil<\/strong>, where the Word of God takes deep root and produces lasting fruit.<\/p>\n

Luke 8:15 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cAs for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Reaching this stage is not instant. It requires perseverance through all previous stages<\/strong>\u2014the confusion of the path, the trials of the rocks, and the distractions of the thorns. But those who endure will be refined like gold, becoming mature in Christ and ready for God\u2019s purpose.<\/p>\n

James 1:12 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cBlessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A believer in this stage bears fruit thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold according to the grace and calling of God upon their life.<\/p>\n

Where Are You Now?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This parable challenges us to reflect:
Which stage are you in?<\/strong><\/p>\n