“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, ²³gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence)….”

Galatians 5:22-23

How can I be more fruitful in the Kingdom of God? 

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty.”

Matthew13:23

Read the whole Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:18-23. According to this parable, those who hear the Word of God, that accepts it and applies it, bear fruit. The seed is the Word. Although the same seed is sown, the harvest size differs from one person to the next. What makes the difference? The condition of the soil!

What can I do to improve the condition of the soil of my heart?

“So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honourable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.”

2 Timothy 2:21

All steps taken in obedience to the Word and the Holy Spirit are steps to make the soil of heart more fruitful. The water of the Word washes our hearts and cleanses us from all unrighteousness – if we allow it.

“So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,”

Ephesians 5:26

“²Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. ³You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].⁴Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.].…”

John 15:2-4

The Lord Jesus, who is the True Vine, is compared to a farmer who carefully prunes us to be more fruitful. 

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of how we, through obedience to the Word, can help to improve the quality of the soil of our hearts so that we can bear more fruit and thereby be more useful in the Kingdom of God.

Let this be our prayer: “Lord, change me, renew me, teach me and lead me to bear more fruit to your honour. Amen”.

All scripture references are from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, unless otherwise stated.