“I am the vine; you are the branches.”

This image captures what it is to follow Jesus. Learning to know Jesus through the gospels and spending time talking to him and tuning into what he may say is what gives us the spiritual nourishment we need to produce fruit. Paul refers to the same metaphor when he speaks of the fruit of the spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) These are fruit that followers of Jesus are supposed to produce in their lives, no matter the circumstances. We are not supposed to try to perform - the fruit will grow itself as we spend time with Jesus - in prayer, worship, reading the Bible and in helping others. It is a transformation in our character.

Paul also speaks of the fruit of the flesh: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:20-21) (emphasis mine) In church tradition references to “carnal” behavior almost invariably have sexual undertones. While sexual immorality is mentioned in the list, the list is a lot longer and includes discord, selfish ambitions, dissensions and factions, which we seldom associate with something “carnal”, that is “fleshly”. This fruit grows where we follow our desires and impulses instead of learning to discern what is good in the eyes of God.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)