Bearing Fruit in Proverbs 31 (revised)

I am quite certain that Proverbs 31 is an impossibility!

“What?”, you say, “I came here to learn how to become a Proverbs 31 woman, and you’re telling me it’s not possible?”

“Yes, on our own, that is.”

I cannot keep a blog on Proverbs 31 without establishing the fact that apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing of real worth, including being an excellent wife.  We depend on His grace to enable us.  We need His Word to teach us.  We must have the fuel of His Spirit to empower us.

And so I took another look at John 15 this morning, and found three requirements to abiding in Christ that stand out to me.  And unless we abide in Christ, we cannot become Proverbs 31 women.  It is too hard!  But when God produces the fruit of a Proverbs 31 women in us by His Holy Spirit, then He gets the glory, thus eliminating our pride of independent accomplishment.

First of all, in verses 7+8 of John 15, we are told that in order to bring glory to God and bear fruit in keeping with abiding, we will ask of the Father.  This assumes a definite discontent with status quot.  I am not encouraging an attitude of discontentment with the circumstances of our lives, but rather an attitude that is always seeking to move forward with God, as well as an attitude of dependence on God. 

For example, I am content with the modest income of our household.  We are abundantly blessed!   But I have been long praying and planning with God, inspired by Proverbs 31, at how I can improve that for the benefit of our family and ministry.  At this time, with small children, that means sticking to a budget, cooking from scratch, cloth diapers when needed, an outdated wardrobe, etc.- anything that will help the financial state of our family and ministry.  And I expect that in the future, at the right time, God will move us to the place where we can better provide for the needs of our family as well as give more to the needs of others.  This is something I am asking of the Father, and when He answers it will bring Him glory.  I am dependent on His help.

Secondly, in John 15 we see that in order to bear fruit in keeping with abiding, we must keep His commandments.  The commandment highlighted in John 15 is to love one another.

One thing that ruins the atmosphere in my home quicker than anything, is when I pick up an unforgiving attitude toward someone outside the home.  We do not tolerate unforgiveness in our family, but I have realized lately that when I am angry at someone else’s wrong outside our home, it affects my family.  I must give up my right to be angry and choose to forgive.   A Proverbs 31 woman loves God, loves her family, and loves others, creating a loving atmosphere in the home.  In order to bear the fruit of love in my home, I must ask the Father, then obey His commands, particularly to love (1 Corinthians 13) and to forgive (Ephesians 4:32).

Thirdly, the final verse in John 15 tells us that we must bear witness.  The fruit that we will bear is, of course, primarily to witness or tell of Jesus Christ, the source.  Paul preached Christ and Him crucified.  Secondly, others will be able to see the fuit of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives.  Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such thing there is no law.”  And finally, we will bear witness by sharing the testimony of how God answered our prayers and how He helped us to love by His Spirit and His Word.  Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him (the devil) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.”  This is why I think it’s important to tell my stories in this blog, as well as look at the truths in the Word of God, specifically Proverbs 31.  God works out His Word in the lab of our lives.  Others can see and taste of the goodness of the Lord when His Word is manifested or grown in our lives.  But in order for this to occur, the branches reach out to offer their fruit.  And so must we.

And so in light of this, how do we bear fruit specifically in becoming a Proverbs 31 woman? 

It begins with prayer.  As I read through Proverbs 31, I pray that God will make that happen in my life.  “God, help me to do my husband good and not evil all his days.  God, show me how I can help Jeff to become a leader at the gate.  Help him to have influence in the church, the community, and the world for good and for Your glory.  God, help me to teach my children that they belong to You.  Help me to rise early.  And on and on…” 

Then we make sure that we are in the love of God, not quenching the Holy Spirit.  And when we fail, we repent quickly, seeking reconciliation. 

Then we tell our testimony — listen to what God did in my life and He can do the same for you.

I think this is how we grow in becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.

How has God grown you in Proverbs 31?  Share your story in the comments here.  We need your encouragement. 

“I am the vine, you are the branches;  he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit;  for apart from Me you can do nothing.”            John 15:5

---