Fruit of the Spirit

 What exactly is the fruit of the Spirit?  It is 9 biblical attributes of a person who is living in accord with the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  These are found in Galatians 5:22-23.

The word “fruit” refers to the natural product of a living thing.  The fruit of the Spirit is produced by the Spirit.  Like physical fruit needs time to grow, so does the fruit of the Spirit needs time to grow and ripen in our lives.  As we give the Spirit control of our lives.  He begins to shape us to look like Jesus.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the lord, who is the Spirit.” – 2 Cor. 3:17-18.  Our goal as Christians is to be like Jesus.  Displaying His fruit is the evidence that we are becoming like Christ.

#1 – Love

Love is the first quality and is at the top of the list of graces.  Love is not only a quality, but an action.  A person’s love has love in his heart and shows love through generous giving to others.  Love is not “being in love” and not a feeling.  Love is a choice.

God first loved us.  We are rebellious, we cheat, we commit immorality, we’re selfish, we sin, but God still loves us.  He loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus to die on that cross and the thing that kept Him on that cross was love.  He did this before we believed in Jesus while we were still sinners. 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Rom. 5:8.

We are to love our neighbor.  When we love, we choose to set aside our own preferences and desires to the needs of others.  Jesus didn’t say to love the world, but to love one another.  He tells us to love our neighbor in the sense of being willing to work for their well-being even if it means sacrificing our own well-being.  We can love them, but we don’t have to like them. 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:7

#2 – Joy

Joy means gladness and delight.  It’s a feeling of gladness and is established by the Lord in our spiritual and eternal circumstances.   We experience joy by abiding in Him daily and will experience the fullness of joy He promised. 

Joy is linked with praise in the Scriptures.  Joy is an emotional response to situations.  We can show joy by singing, shouting, dancing, clapping and making music as we praise the Lord.  He wants us to have a joyful heart.  Joy spring ups from deep down inside and like a spring that never runs dry, no matter what happens.  Only Jesus gives that joy.  It’s the assurance of faith that we are acceptable to God and that He is working on our behalf.

Our joy is God.  He is our Creator.  His has power and wisdom like no other.  He is our rock, our shelter, our shield, our provider, our salvation, our sanctuary, our sure foundation.  He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Heb. 12:2.

#3 – Peace

There isn’t much peace in this world, because the world doesn’t know the One who is peace.  We can reject the chaos of the world and embrace God’s peace.  We can rejoice in God and who He is.  We need to fill our mind with God’s truth and choose to think about the things of God.  In Christ we can relax and be at peace in the midst of all the confusions of this life.  The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest, because we know the God is and that we will be with him forever.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.” – Col. 3:15.

#4 – Patience

There is very little patience in the world we live in.  We live in a fast-passed culture.  As Christians we need to be patient.  As patient people we need to put up with circumstances and display endurance, longsuffering and perseverance. 

Losing our patience is a sign of weakness.  As the Spirit produces patience in us, He is making us more like Christ.  God is patient with sinners.  He is waiting for them to come to repentance.  He wants us to be patient while extending the offer of salvation to others.  We see so much evil in our world and wonder when God will stop it.  We are not to complain as we wait for Jesus’ return.  “Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming.” – James 5:7.

The opposite of patience is agitation, discouragement, and a desire for revenge.  God doesn’t want us to live like that, but to live with patience and peace.  God is patient and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in us.  We are to trust God. 

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” – Heb. 12:14.

#5 – Kindness

When we show the kindness of God, we are tender, benevolent and useful to others.  To express kindness to those who are against us requires the work of God.  That’s why kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.  God demonstrated His kindness to us in our salvation. 

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” – Titus 3:4-5

#6 – Goodness

As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, our character changes.  We once were selfish, cruel, rebellious, and spiteful.  As a child of God we now have the character of God.  Goodness is virtue and holiness in action.  We are motivated by righteousness and have the desire to be a blessing.  We can’t manufacture goodness on our own.  “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” – James1:17.  Letting the Holy Spirit control us blesses us with the fruit of goodness.  Then as others see our good works, they will praise God in heaven.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” – Gal 6:9-10.

#7 – Faithfulness

Faithfulness is a word for standing fast.  It’s a quality of reliability and trustworthiness.  It is to have real integrity.  Faith is built in us by God’s Word being built into us and by our acting upon it.  God builds faith in us as we walk with Him daily.  God becomes a part of us.  We know that He is the strength of our life.  We know God loves us so we know He is faithful to us and always keeps His promises.

Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit given to us when we believe Jesus is our Savior.  We are to be faithful to the Savior who redeemed us.  Faith is dead to doubts, dumb to discouragements, and blind to impossibilities.  It shows endurance and firmness of purpose.  It possesses a staying power in spite of feelings and difficulties.

A person of faith is one who fully trusts God will do what He says in every situation, every time.  A person of faith should set the example for others and is committed living a life of faith showing God to all people at all times.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Heb. 11:6.

#8 – Gentleness

Gentleness or meekness is not weakness or lack of courage.  It is the opposite.  It forgives others, corrects with kindness, and lives in tranquility.  It’s closely linked to humility.  It is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest.  It is a key ingredient in unity and peace within the body of Christ.

Meekness is an attitude toward God and shown to others.  It’s an attitude of submission to God which results in strength in godly ways toward others.  It is love that seeks the things of God and others before its own.

“Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.” – Phil. 4:5

#9 – Self-Control

This is the hardest one of all.  Our fleshly desires are continually at odds with God’s Spirit and want to be in charge.  Self-control is releasing our grip on our desires and choosing instead to be controlled by the Spirit.  When the Spirit indwells in us, He gives us strength to control our sinful desires.  Self-control says no to the flesh and yes to the Spirit.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Rom. 12:2.

Conclusion

“For this very reason, make every effort and to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7.

We can’t bear the fruit of the Spirit on our own.  We can’t love, have joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control by ourselves.  We have no power but the Holy Spirit does.  If you are a believer, He lives in you.  He is the one who gives you power to love and to have peace and patience.

What kind of fruit do you produce?  Is your life filled with idolatry, hatred, strife, envy, jealousy?  If so now is the time to yield completely to Him as your Lord and Savior.  Come to Him in faith and He will give you the Holy Spirit to guide and mold you to produce fruit.  You first need to repent of your sins and give your life totally to Him - Surrender, Commit, and Receive.

When you become a believer, the fruit of the Spirit will be coming directly from Him.  This will be a sanctification process.  It will not happen overnight.  It will be on His timetable, but you can trust Him to handle each of the areas.  Just stay in His Word and in prayer trusting in Him alone.

Hope to see you here for our next study.  --- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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