The Process of Cultivating Fruit (Proverbs 15:5)

I do not feel that anyone likes correction. We all like to think that we are doing it right. But correction is a part of life. If we did not need correction, we would be perfect. Until then, we must take whatever correction comes our way, because it is only there to stir us toward perfection.

"A fool despises his father's instruction and correction, but he who regards reproof acquires prudence." Proverbs 15:5, Amplified

It is the job of a father to instruct and correct a child. Not only is it a job, but it is an enjoyment for most fathers. I know as a father, I want to instruct my children in how to do things the right way. I also want to correct them before they take a path that I have been on and know where it leads. A father can be a bit like a rudder on a ship, steering his child in a different direction. This concept did not develop from man, rather it is a mirror image to how the Lord treats His children. "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection tot eh Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:7-11, NKJV)

Instruction and correction are tools designed by God to create perfect fruit. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable about a barren fig tree. "He spoke to them this parable: 'A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, "Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?" But he answered and said to him, "Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down."'" (Luke 13:6-9, NKJV) It is interesting to note, that if someone planted a tree, for three years he was not to harvest it. On the fourth year, the fruit actually belonged to the Lord. But what I wanted to focus on was the answer of the vineyard keeper. He said for his master to wait one more year so that he could "dig" around it. He wanted to correct the barrenness of the tree. If you go out as far as the branches go and shove a spade into the ground, you will actually cut the tips of the root system. If this is done around the entire circumference of the tree it "scares" the tree into bearing fruit the next year.