Pastor Aaron Perdue

If you’ve read about pruning in the Bible, you might wonder why God removes what no longer serves you. The most well-known verse about pruning in the Bible is John 15:1-2, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

I love working in my garden, and that includes pruning my plants so they will flourish. At first, I was hesitant about what to cut, but as I gained more experience, I realized that the best thing for my plants was to cut off the unfruitful branches and trim back the fruitful ones. Pruning isn’t just a garden word—it’s in the Bible. So, what does pruning mean in the Bible? The original Greek word kathairó means to make clean by purging and removing undesirable elements and to eliminate what is fruitless.

Here are some good questions that will guide us to some conclusions about why God removes what no longer serves you.

Is suffering a form of pruning from God? Religion says God puts suffering on people to help them grow. The Bible says that God cleanses or prunes us through His Word—not through sending suffering! In other words, if you’re asking, “Is suffering a form of pruning from God?” Scripture answers that pruning comes by His Word. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God can use the suffering sent by the enemy to bring about something good, but God’s pruning through His Word only brings good works.

Why does God prune us, according to Scripture? Why does God prune us according to scripture? John 15:2 clearly says the pruning process is necessary for us to bear more fruit. Imagine going to buy an apple tree and then being satisfied with only one or two apples. The goal is to have a tree full of apples, so why would I settle for less? I want to receive all that God has for me, and pruning allows me to be more fruitful.

What does Jesus mean when He talks about bearing fruit? You might be wondering, “What does Jesus mean when he talks about bearing fruit?” God desires us to be fruitful with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). The fruit of the Spirit is a result of the Holy Spirit in us and working through us. Our fruit is evidence that we are connected to the Vine, Jesus Christ, as our source.

How does pruning relate to spiritual growth? If you’ve ever asked, “How does pruning relate to spiritual growth?” Here’s the answer: As Christians, we should desire to grow spiritually. When we read and meditate on the Word of God, we gain insight into areas of our lives that God is developing in us and invites us to work with Him. Ephesians 5:26 tells us that cleansing comes through “the washing of water by the word.” God reveals areas where His Word can cleanse us, so we are fully equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

How do I know if God is pruning me? Many believers ask, “How do I know if God is pruning me?” When you become aware of areas of your life that don’t reflect Jesus living in you, those are areas God wants to purge so you can align with His purpose for your life. You can discern between suffering caused by the enemy or natural consequences and God’s pruning because God’s pruning always has the presence of peace. John 14:27 tells us, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

What happens after a season of spiritual pruning? So, what happens after a season of spiritual pruning? After we have undergone spiritual pruning, we will be more like Jesus. You will notice growth in your faith because you have experienced God’s love and faithfulness. You will also notice that you are living a more abundant life in Christ!

The bottom line concerning God’s pruning is to cooperate and allow the removal of negative influences to take place as you seek to become more Christ-like. Don’t be surprised when people notice you have more love or joy or peace in your life—you’re bearing more fruit of the Spirit!

If you would like to learn more about the Holy Spirit and bearing good fruit, check out the numerous free teaching downloads on this topic available at charischristiancenter.com.