We’re constantly being shaped by what we are connected to.
When I’m under stress or pressure, I have a connection with salty snacks that literally shapes me…physically.
(I’m working on it…ha!).
But let’s face it: as men, there are many things we can be tied to that can hurt us.
John 15:1-17 reminds us that there are connections we can have that are not life-giving. Jesus declares Himself as the true vine, meaning there are other vines that are false.
Or another way of saying it: from the outside, it looks like those other vines give life, but they deceive us, bringing death to the inside.
Jesus declares Himself as the true vine, meaning there are other vines that are false.
They might offer short-term satisfaction, but they can’t produce real, lasting fruit.
Perhaps we have an unhealthy connection with money, what we own, how we are seen, sexual desire, or even religion at times. It’s worth taking inventory of what we are connected to by paying attention to what is being reproduced in our lives.
Like a tree, the fruit is always determined by the roots. What are we rooted in or connected to? What kind of fruit is being reproduced in our lives?
Have you ever read Galatians 5:22-23? The apostle Paul lays out nine qualities called the “fruit of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These godly characteristics were in Jesus and give us an incredible example of what we, as men, should all be trying to grow in.
Who wouldn’t want more love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, and all these attributes? We all would!
So, how do we grow these characteristics called the “fruit of the Spirit”?
Let’s circle back to John 15. Verse 5 gives us a clear direction on how these characteristics are reflected in our lives: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”
We bear fruit if we stay connected with Jesus in relationship.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Seems easy enough: just stay connected to Jesus, and all these things will grow in your life.
But unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as it sounds.
Many things in our world constantly try to distract, dilute, or destroy our relationship with Jesus. Sometimes, we have to fight to grow our relationship with Jesus.
I read this once: “Christianity is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to fall back.”
As Christian men, we are constantly rowing against the currents of a society that is trying to pull us away from our faith. It teases and tempts us with worldly ways, ideas, and mindsets contrary to the Bible.
Remaining in Christ can never be passive. It’s an intentional daily decision to stay connected to Him through Scripture, worship, prayer, obedience, and surrender.
There are no shortcuts here; it doesn’t happen overnight. We grow fruit by staying connected to the vine over time.
Men, it’s the fight of your life; take responsibility for your connection with Jesus! Don’t outsource your spiritual life to your wife, pastor, or favorite podcast. Do the hard work of clearing the way of distractions, dig into the Bible, prioritize prayer, and fight to surrender to God’s will for your life.
There’s a war going on inside all of us. Paul describes it like this: “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” (Galatians 5:17 NIV). This is the internal battle between the self and the Spirit of God. It’s pride versus humility, lust versus love, worry versus peace.
Keep battling. You are not alone.
The fruit of the Spirit doesn’t grow from the outside in; it’s always from the inside out. It’s character that grows out of humility and surrender. Here’s how it can look when the fruit of the Spirit shows up in men’s lives:
- Love: Sacrificial commitment. Men who put others first.
- Joy: Perspective under pressure. Men who find the good and see what God is doing in testing times.
- Peace: Unshakable trust. Men who don’t panic, but pray.
- Patience: Slow to anger. Men who are composed, not confrontational.
- Kindness: Strength with submission. Men who speak and act with compassion.
- Goodness: Integrity even in the shadows. Men who do what’s right.
- Faithfulness: Consistency in every season. Men who show up, no matter the cost.
- Gentleness: Power with peace. Men who are not harsh with others.
- Self-control: Discipline over desires. Men whose yearnings are submitted.
None of us will get it right 100% of the time. This is where “bearing fruit in keeping with repentance” intersects with our lives (Matthew 3:8). Real fruit grows with genuine repentance—not just feeling bad about sin and our selfish decisions, but turning from them to never turn back.
Repentance is so crucial; it’s what reconnects us to Christ!
It’s time for the rubber to meet the road. If someone followed you around and observed you at work, in your home, while you drive, or watched your online life, what kind of fruit of the Spirit would be easily seen? Would there be the fruit of love, joy, peace, self-control, etc.?
Being connected to Jesus, the Spirit will grow fruit in your life, but not without your cooperation. So, here’s the courageous call:
Don’t try to fake fruit.
Don’t try to manufacture it on your own. Stay rooted and connected. Stay surrendered. Remain in Him. Let Jesus produce in you the fruit that proves your faith is authentic, fruit that leaves a lasting legacy with all those closest to you.
The world doesn’t need more outwardly impressive men who look like the world. It needs more fruitful men who look and act like Jesus.
You can do it; He can help!
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