The Fruit of The Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23

The Believer is a tripartite being with a Spirit and a Soul that is housed in a body. The Christian life is a battle of the sinful flesh (unregenerate body) against the new nature (the regenerated Spirit) given by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The natural human body always desires evil things (Romans 7:14-25). At Salvation, we have the Holy Spirit Presence to produce His fruit in us, and we have the Holy Spirit’s Power available to conquer the acts (desires) of the sinful nature (Romans8:11,12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13). The Holy Spirit’s fruit is due to the Holy Spirit’s presence in a Christian’s life. The Bible makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14).

Q1 What divine provision is made for us to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit?

One of the Holy Spirit’s primary purposes coming into a Christian’s life is to change our life and conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is in direct contrast with the acts of the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” NIV

Q 2 Why do we need the fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Spirit is what God desires our lives to exhibit and, with the Holy Spirit’s help, it is possible! Let us look briefly at each fruit given to us by the Holy Spirit and ask what each fruit is?

1. Love: The love which the Holy Spirit manifests in believers is agape. (Phil. 2:3; John 15:13; 1 John 3:11; Luke 6:35; 1 John 5:3, mk12:30-31, John3:16, 1Cor 13) This is not a feeling but a choice, to be kind, sacrificial, give what you are denied to others, and consider another’s need more significant than your own. God’s children are the conduits of His love.
2. Joy: Joy is not found in a fallen world; it is only fellowship with God that can make our joy complete (1 John 1:4, Ps16:11, John15:11, Lk15:7)
3. Peace: Transparency plus Truth over Time = Peace (Phil4:4-7, Is26:3, 9:6, 53:5). At birth, our sinful nature has already declared war on God and His truth, but God’s methods of warfare are not what we expected. Instead of a battle, He sent us the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He wants you to have peace with Him and wants to give you abiding peace!
4. Patience in Galatians 5:22 means “long temper,” in the sense of …The ability to hold one’s temper for a long time. The KJV translates it as “longsuffering.” A patient person can endure much pain and suffering without complaining. A patient person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing.
5. Kindness: Charles Swindoll once said, “Kindness is a language that deaf people can hear, and that blind people can see. “The Greek word for “kindness” can mean “tender concern, uprightness.” It is the kindness of heart and kindness of act. 2 Cor. 6:4-6 Every action, every word will have the flavor of grace in it.
6. Goodness: is a virtue and holiness in action. (James 1:17; Matthew 5:16, Jam1:17, Mt 5:16)

It results in a life characterized by deeds motivated by selflessness, righteousness, and a desire to be a blessing.

1. Faithfulness:  is steadfastness, constancy, or allegiance; it is carefulness in keeping what we are entrusted with; it is the conviction that the Scriptures accurately reflect reality. Biblical faithfulness requires belief in what the Bible says about God—His existence, His works, and His character, believes that God is Who He says He is.
2. Gentleness: also translated as “meekness,” does not mean weakness. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God and polite, restrained behavior toward others. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-ambition. Gentleness empowers us to forgive readily because any offense toward us is nothing compared to our offenses against God—offenses He’s already forgiven (Matthew 18:23-35).
3. Self-control: The last characteristic listed in Galatians 5:22-23 or (“temperance” in the KJV) is the ability to control oneself. It involves moderation, constraint, and the ability to say “no” to our desires and fleshly lusts, words, and actions (Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:6). Self-control is what empowers you to refuse or say no to sin. (Romans 7:21-25). We do not exhibit self-control if YOU continue daily with that which would enslave you (1Thess5:22).

Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins. Is your life producing fruit, the fruit that only can come from the Lord? If not, you need to abide in Him… Remember the words of Christ in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing.”

Q 3 How can we possess and manifest the fruit of the Spirit?