Fruitfulness

Proverbs 11:29-12:7

Do you want your life to make a difference? Do you realise that your life can be a source of blessing to other people every day?

‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life’ (11:30). As we look back at Proverbs 11, we can see all the fruit of the Spirit that the apostle Paul describes in Galatians 5:22:

Love (Proverbs 11:23)

Joy (v.10)

Peace (v.8)

Patience (v.16)

Kindness (v.17)

Goodness (v.17)

Faithfulness (v.6)

Gentleness (v.2b)

Self-control (v.12)

The image of a ‘tree of life’ (v.30) is a beautiful depiction of God’s favour. It recurs again and again in Scripture, and is also closely linked to the work of the Spirit in your life (see Ezekiel 47:1–12; Revelation 22:1–2). It is the Spirit who enables and helps you to live the kind of righteous life that is described and to enjoy ‘favour from the Lord’ (Proverbs 12:2).