How Do Things Grow

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Photo by Francesco Gallarotti (unsplash)
​Written by Georgetta Head

"How do things grow," is a question asked of me by my grandson. Good question I thought. Now how do I answer in a way he will understand!  Planting and gardening immediately came to mind!  Yes, I thought, Jesus talks a lot about plants and trees in the New Testament, and in the Old Testament it is recorded that all things begin with a seed, even human life begins with a seed.

As we began our journey discovering "how things grow" we made our first stop in Genesis 1:12 "And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."  We learned all grass and vegetation is reproduced from itself by a tiny seed. His reply "that is so cool!"

As we continued our journey of discovery in the first 3 chapters of the Book of Genesis, it is recorded that all animal life, fowls of the air, and sea life creatures in verses 20-25 were initially created by God. He then blessed them to multiply and to procreate with seed of their own kind.

God then creates human beings in His image. He blessed them to multiply by replenishing the earth with seed of their kind. God tells humans: "....Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” (Genesis 1:29 KJV). My grandson was fascinated with these facts learning that all physical life (what we see) grows from a tiny seed, and that God is the Creator of all life.

However, through our research we also learned there are spiritual seeds that when planted can produce a harvest.  In Luke 6:43-45 we have Jesus speaking of man as being like a tree, producing from their heart either good fruit or bad fruit. What does this mean? Let's look at Proverbs 18:21 for a clue: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."  Here we learn that every word we speak into the atmosphere are living seeds proceeding from our hearts. These seeds have power to produce life (good fruit) or death (bad fruit) into the lives of others and self.  Jesus says in Matthew 7:15-20 "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.”  What are the spiritual actions of a tree producing good vs. bad fruit?

A good tree produces:  Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." This list is one of a transformed man's heart producing "good fruit" for the kingdom of God, which is fruit that will remain.

A bad tree produces:  Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV) "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."  This is a list of bad seeds being produced from a man's heart.  And, Matthew 7:16 reveals to the reader that they can easily recognize a person's intent and motives of their heart by the fruit they bear through their actions.

As my grandson and I concluded our research, we learned everything is reproduced by a seed, that our tongue is powerful, and all have a purpose.

Our purpose is to produce "life" with "good fruit" that will remain into eternity.  We should speak life and not death to others. Words of life spoken to others are encouraging and healing to their spirit man, whereas negative speaking or lying to others will wound their soul.

How does one continue to produce good fruit?  John 15:1-27 (ESV) is our answer “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Friends, cling to Jesus and allow Him to transform you into a tree that produces “good fruit” that will remain.
 
S.N.A.C.K. on the Word
 
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