The Soil of Your Heart - Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit

Explore why soil of your heart is a key to spiritual growth. Discover how nurturing the soil of your heart leads to a fruitful life. Learn more now!

**Jesus Christ transforms us from the inside out.**

Before planting anything, a farmer or gardener tends to the quality of the soil. The quality of the soil - combined with the seeds as well as adequate sunlight and water - determine the health of the plant and the harvest of the crop. Just as soil makes all the difference with plants, so the soil of our heart makes all the difference in our lives.

Let's examine what soil does and why it is so important for plant health and growth:

Soils provide water, air, nutrients, and mechanical support for plants.

Provides plants a foothold for their roots.

Holds the necessary nutrients for plants to grow.

Filters the rainwater and regulates the discharge of excess rainwater, preventing flooding.

Buffers against pollutants, thus protecting groundwater quality.

Is capable of storing large amounts of organic carbon.

Provides air for gaseous exchange between roots and atmosphere.

Protects plants from erosion and any other destructive physical, biological & chemical activity.

Holds water (moisture) and maintains adequate aeration.

Soil is a natural resource and a living ecosystem (the "living skin of the earth").

Soils sustain all life on earth, filtering and breaking down natural and man-made toxins.

Soils provide water, nutrients, and support, along with oxygen for the plant's root growth.

Soils have four main components: mineral particles (sand, silt, and clay), organic matter, water, and air.

There are many different types of soil and you may have several types even in a small yard.

Healthy soils grow healthy plants that keep people healthy.

Soils sustain all life on Earth and might be the most important, neglected, and least understood resource in the landscape. [1]

Just as soil consists of four main components, so we also consist of components which make up the whole. Our components are body, spirit,, and soul (our mind, will, and emotions). While salvation is instantaneous (the faith to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world and decision to invite Him into your heart and life), discipleship is a lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God. Once Jesus is our Savior, He also wants to be our Lord. Meaning, surrendering our body, spirit, and soul to Him to mold and grow.

The soil of our heart determines the quality and health of our relationships and our lives. If the soil is rich with God's love, grace, humility, forgiveness, kindness, compassion and gratitude by being rooted and grounded in Him (Ephesians 3:16-19), then healthy fruit will be the result. However, if the soil of our heart is hardened with bitterness, anger, resentment, entitlement, unforgiveness, blame and selfishness by being rooted and grounded in our fallen human nature (Ephesians 4:17-32), then unhealthy fruit will be the result.

In the parable of the farmer planting seeds, Jesus talked about seeds and soil in Matthew 13:1-23.

(Click the link to read the passage.)

“Stay united with me, as I will with you – for just as the branch

can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine,

so you can’t bear fruit apart from me.” - John 15:4

Questions for Reflection:

What is the soil of your heart today? What Fruit of the Spirit would you like to see more of in your life? In what ways can you rearrange your priorities so that you can invest more time in growing in your relationship with God? What do you need to surrender?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that You promise to never leave me or abandon me. Please help me abide in You. Please help me let go of the past and receive your amazing love into my heart. Change the soil of my heart, Lord. Give me the faith and courage to trust You fully and surrender to You, so the soil of my heart leads to a fruitful life.

Encourage others and share this blog on social with your friends!

Through a holistic approach and authentic connection, I empower individuals to take control of their health, mindset and choices. I lead with purpose, inspire growth, and cultivate a community where you are equipped to rise, thrive, and live life fully aligned in mind, body, and soul. To learn more, schedule HERE for a free, no-obligation Flourish Discovery Session.

Download your free Flourish Guide HERE

Exchange your struggles for purpose! In my Intentional Living Course you will learn proven strategies in 8 key areas equipping you to live intentionally. Check out Courses to learn more or enroll.

Editor's Note:

This devotional blog is by Jen Stone-Sexton, Christian Life Coach, Author, Speaker, Teacher and Founder. Jen has openings for a select number of new clients. Learn more about Jen and what Freedom to Flourish Life Coaching has to offer you.

Credits:

[1] Soil Basics | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu ) - Accessed January 19, 2024.

All Scripture references and quotations used with permission:

Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Soil of Your Heart - Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit

Explore why soil of your heart is a key to spiritual growth. Discover how nurturing the soil of your heart leads to a fruitful life. Learn more now!

Recent Posts

Comments