How do you get rid of two hundred summer squash? My first encounter with gardening at eight proved to be very bountiful. My parents rented a house on a farm that had a place for a garden. Before we started the garden, my dad and I went to the store to buy manure, seeds, and an irrigation hose.
Early Saturday morning, I helped my dad till the ground and spread manure to get the soil ready to feed the seeds. I was ready to plant the seeds, but dad told me we had to let it rest or the maneuver would burn the seeds. After some time had passed, my dad said we could plant the seeds. He showed me how to make a mound with a wall around it for a water reservoir. Once I formed my mounds, he showed me how deep to plant the seeds.
We watered, pulled weeds for the next few weeks, and waited for the plants to come up. Slowly, they began to grow with big leaves and stocks. Within the next few weeks, we realized that thirty squash mounds were way too many plants!
Four Key Steps to Reaping a Spiritual Bountiful Harvest
My dad taught me that growing a plant from a seed is a process. You have to know what you are doing. These facts are also true if you want to grow the seeds of the fruits of the Holy Spirit living in you. God’s word is your guide, along with the Holy Spirit. But nothing will happen if you don’t know what to do and put in the effort.
During Christ’s three years of ministry, he shared many parables that help us understand what we must do to grow, mature, and share the fruits of our faith with others. Let’s look at some of these passages.
We Must Have Good Soil
In the following passage, Jesus tells us about the four different types of soil on which we can have a heart.
“The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matt. 13:19-23, NLT)
If we want the fruits of the Holy Spirit to grow in us, we must make sure our hearts have good soil.
Have the Perfect Seeds
We must also know what seeds were implanted in us during our salvation. The minute Christ comes to live in us; the Holy Spirit implants these seeds. The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22, NLT)
These are the only perfect seeds imperfect humans could ever grow from through the help of Jesus Christ. To think that the creator of the universe, our loving Father, God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, would give us the privilege and ability to grow these seeds with them blows me away!
Know How to Care for the Seeds
God gives us the ability to work with him and the Holy Spirit to grow these fruits to honor him and share them with the world. When people experience these fruits, they will experience the love, heart, and characteristics of Jesus. Our salvation doesn’t instantly download us with instructions to grow these fruits. Just as the disciples needed to learn and grow through Christ’s teachings, we must do the same.
During the first part of the apostle Paul’s life, he did not take the time to learn the truth about the Messiah. In fact, he persecuted Christ’s followers until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul spent several years being taught, I believe, by Jesus. Paul learned firsthand how to seek Jesus and follow him. He wrote letters to several churches encouraging and guiding believers to grow their faith, including the Holy Spirit.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what our sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. (Gal. 5:16-17, NLT)
Jesus said the words he speaks to us are spirit and life. (John 6:63, NLT) When we follow the words of Christ, we are caring for the seeds he implanted in us. We must also be aware that the seeds of our sinful flesh are also in us. The question believers must ask themselves is, which seeds will we grow, and what will be the consequence?
Reap a Bountiful Harvest
For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Gal. 6:5, 7-10, NLT)
The apostle Paul is very clear about our choices and consequences in the passage above. It’s also evident that even though we have the seeds of the fruit of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can still choose to act on our sinful flesh desires. To reap a godly harvest that brings God glory and a smile to His face, we must stay true to Christ’s ways. Jesus came to save, share his gospel, and empower us with his truth so we can share it with others.
Growing, Maturing, and Sharing Our Spiritual Fruit is a Lifelong Privilege
Just as there are seasons in times of plenty, growth, and harvest on earth, the Bible also reveals a harvest time. One day, every knee will bow and face Jesus to give an account of their life. The fruits we choose to grow in our life and share with others impact our eternal life and the eternal lives of others.
Will people experience the love, peace, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control Jesus displayed in his life? Will they see the hope of Christ and be drawn to him? What will the harvest of your spiritual fruits look like?
Jesus has given his believers the seeds of spiritual fruit. God has given us his word as our guide. Jesus has given us his example, power, and the Holy Spirit to help us. Take the hand of Jesus and let him show you how to reap his bountiful harvest!
