Praying for Spiritual Fruit

waterglassWhat comes to mind when you see or hear the word pure? Maybe you think of a glass of water that is free from visible contaminants. We might think of the innocence of a child. Purity is valuable and makes an impression on us. It’s valuable because it’s rare in a world filled with contamination, pollutants, fallen people and sin.

The Apostle Paul prays in Philippians 1:10-11 that the Christians there would be pure, blameless and their lives would be filled with the fruit of Christ. They’re able to live this way as they grow in Biblical knowledge and discernment that leads them to make decisions that lead to results bundled with spiritual fruit.

Knowledge is the planting of God’s Word in your heart and mind.

Discernment is the way you see the world and the choices ahead of you. What are your decisions based on?

Approving something means making a choice. Paul uses the idea of picking a direction or committing to something when he speaks of approving in Philippians 1:10.

Then, we see what grows. Paul’s prayer for his friends is that they will produce righteous fruit. The easiest way to think of these fruit is to consider what he says in Galatians 5:22 when he lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

Are you choices resulting in these things?

If you aren’t harvesting these fruit, most likely you aren’t planting with the seeds of Biblical knowledge, discernment and approval.

How do you get there?

Reading God’s Word and thinking about it are tools you can’t live without.

Then there is one tool we may come to mind quickly. That is prayer. And, that is exactly what Paul is doing in Philippians 1. He is praying for his friends. You can pray for yourself and for others to grow in producing spiritual fruit.

One of the best things you can do for fellow church members, family members and friends is to pray for them. Even better, pray specifically for them. Take some time to pray the Lord would guide them in growing in knowledge, developing Biblical discernment, approving what is pure, and harvesting spiritual fruit.