Sometimes we receive messages that indicate we are like a tree.

Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Ezekiel 36:11 And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Matthew 12:33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

Does a tree have any choice in what kind of fruit it produces? Here we are as born again believers, what kind of fruit do we produce? What kind of fruit do we produce now for it will be seen by others and we will be judged by others that way. Warning Young Skywalker warning.

Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Now comes the tricky part. Fruits of the Spirit are produced by the Spirit indicating that we are children of God. Which of these attributes cannot be duplicated by willful knowledge?

That is a trick question. The answer is taste.

Psalm 34:8 a. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! 

The deceiver has no idea what the Lord tastes like. The born again believer will know by the taste that the fruit is produced by the Spirit and not self-will.

So it is with other aspects of this new life in Christ, growth and maturity comes to us by the Spirit who has been charged with preparing us for our betrothed.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Self-will is vexing to the Holy Spirit, it frustrates His efforts in preparing us.