He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more.

The other day, I was standing by the front walkway, completely in awe of the brilliant red roses that seemed to arch beautifully along our entrance. Each bush was in full bloom, in vibrant red, and I couldn’t help but feel proud of how stunning they looked. Then I noticed my wife perched on a ladder, clippers in hand, snipping away at those very roses. Alarmed, I blurted out, “Hey! What are you doing? They look so beautiful!” She gave me a calm, knowing smile and replied, “That’s exactly why they need to be pruned—so that they’ll grow healthier and blossom even more beautifully next season.”

I stood there, slightly taken aback, realizing that sometimes the very things we see as perfect require careful trimming.

In today’s verse, Jesus uses the picture of a gardener pruning branches. If a vine is left to grow wildly, it might develop lots of leaves and look impressive on the outside; however, that wild growth often prevents it from producing the best possible fruit. The pruning process might seem harsh to the plant, but it ensures greater fruitfulness later. In the same way, spiritual discipline and correction might feel tough at first, but God uses it to help us bear more fruit in our lives—whether that fruit is stronger faith, deeper character, or healthier relationships. God prunes us, gently cutting away the areas that keep us from growing into His likeness.

For me, God’s pruning came in the form of embracing correction and discipline often, and with the right attitude. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline loves to learn; whoever hates to be corrected is stupid.” When we’re open to constructive feedback, we invite the chance to be shaped and guided into something better. It’s like a craftsman’s chisel removing the rough edges of a block of wood, turning it into a fine masterpiece. We might be tempted to get defensive when someone points out our weaknesses, feeling hurt or rejected. But if we step back and ask, “How can I learn from this?” we find ourselves in a posture of growth. It’s a shift in mindset from “They’re attacking me” to “God is allowing this to make me better.” Over time, such an attitude prevents us from stagnating, and it becomes a demonstration of our faith and trust in God. We can keep learning, keep improving, and keep walking closer with God, becoming more Christlike in the process.

We see a parallel of this principle in the life of King David. Though he was described as “a man after God’s own heart,” David made some terrible choices. When the prophet Nathan confronted him, David could have denied his wrongdoing or become defensive or ordered the execution of Nathan. Instead, he acknowledged his guilt and repented (2 Samuel 12). David’s humility in accepting correction allowed him to be restored by God. It was a pruning moment for David. Despite its flaws, Davids’s life became a testament to how receiving discipline and correction can lead to deeper wisdom and renewed fellowship with God. Brothers and sisters, whatever it is you are going through today, look at it as something that God has allowed. Go through it with the right attitude, and you will come out bearing much fruit in the end.

The Lord disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6).

By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand