If you’re a gardener like myself, the springtime and fall season is when we take our shears and clip away the branches or leaves that will “promise” new growth of a plant.

Take a Rose bush for example… specifically looking for a branch with 5 leaves and clipping just above that will promise new buds. Isn’t that amazing? A promise of new growth that God gives us to know as a principle in the natural. This also applies in the spiritual.

God promises us “new growth” in our hearts and soul when He comes in and prunes away “dead things”. These dead things will not offer us His best for our lives. He knows this because He is the great vinedresser of our souls.

Now, when I say He prunes away dead things, we are to be in lots of prayer of how He is moving in a season. We can sense in our spirits that He is removing friendships or habits and He begins shifting things with His power and grace. His grace is a supernatural force we can feel in our lives. He will give us that grace to operate in power and authority in a season. He also lifts grace off our seasons so that we know He is getting ready to prune away some things that do not benefit us. These can be sad times…but they are good because He is supernaturally growing us.

In my Christian faith, the concept of pruning is often understood as a metaphor for spiritual growth and refinement. This idea is rooted in several biblical passages, most notably John 15:1-2, where Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Here are 5 reasons why pruning is considered beneficial for our soul as a Christian:

1. Spiritual Growth: Pruning helps us believers grow spiritually by removing negative influences or behaviors that hinder our relationship with God. This process encourages deeper faith and stronger character.

2. Purification: Just as a gardener removes dead or diseased branches to promote the health of the plant, God removes sinful or harmful elements from our life. This purification process makes the soul more aligned with God’s will.

3. Increased Fruitfulness: The goal of pruning is to produce more fruit. In a spiritual context, this means that through God’s guidance and discipline, believers can become more effective in their faith, exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22-23).

4. Dependence on God: Pruning often involves trials and challenges that compel believers to rely more on God. This deepens our trust and dependence on Him, reinforcing the relationship between the believer and the divine.

5. Renewal and Transformation: Pruning signifies a process of continuous renewal and transformation. Christ followers believe that through ongoing pruning, we are constantly being shaped and molded into the likeness of Christ.

In essence, pruning is a necessary and loving act of God, aimed at fostering spiritual maturity, holiness, and a closer relationship with Him. He has pruned my life many times over. I have experienced so much growth and you too may be going through a season like this. I am here to share with you, to become a follower of Christ and go through these seasons together strengthens our faith together in Him. We understand the connection to Jesus and He strengthens us together in unity. It truly is a beautiful act of God’s nature as we grow stronger bearing and producing more fruit in our Spirit man.

Do you have questions about becoming a Christian? You can email me at hello@corajdugan.com and I can help you learn more about your decision.

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