The Fruit of the Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit

            As we have seen in the previous studies, just asking Jesus into our hearts is not the only thing God requires of us. If we want to have real joy, happiness, and peace, we must surrender all just as Jesus gave His all for us. If we want the fruit of the Spirit, we must be obedient and stay in His Word.

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Love

Love is presented first because it is the highest virtue embodying the essence of God's nature. “Agapē (ag-ah’-pay) and agapaō (ag’ap-ah’-o): Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian.” (Vine’s Dictionary) Agape is a form of love that goes beyond any other type of love, such as eros (érōs), philia (fil-ee´-ah), and storge (stŏrgē), which represent romantic, friendly, and familial love, respectively. Agape shows the pure, selfless, and sacrificial love that God has for His creation. It is a love that consistently puts others first, even those regarded as enemies, regardless of the cost. The biggest demonstration of God's agape love for us is shown in His sacrifice of His only Son to redeem us from our sinful nature. As Christians, we are called to, love God in return and show the same love to others just as Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV), “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  1 John 4:19 (KJV), “We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

Joy

“Chara (khar-ah) cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight: -gladness, x greatly, (be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -ous).” (Strong’s Concordance) In Galatians 5, Paul emphasizes that divine joy, a fruit of the Spirit, is not just a result of happy things going in in our lives but rather an inner transformation that is rooted in our relationship with God. This joy gives us the strength to withstand trials and tribulations and fuels our devotion and ability to reflect Christ’s love to others. Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV) “…For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” It is our source of strength and encouragement, allowing us to rejoice even in challenging times, ultimately confirming the foundational truth that true joy is anchored in faith and obedience to God. For myself, I have had extremely joyful times, such as the births of each of my children and grandchildren, but nothing has ever compared to the joy that I receive from the Holy Spirit. The deep and profound joy of God is so amazing that I long to retain it every second of every minute of every day. The joy of God cannot be understood by the world, neither can the world take it away from us for we have something to be joyful in, and that is because in Him we have new life.

“Viewing here the works of God, I sink in contemplation, Hearing now His blessed voice, I see the way He planned: Dwelling in the Spirit, here I learn of full salvation, Gladly will I tarry in Beulah Land. I’m living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky, I’m drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry; O yes! I’m feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply, for I am dwelling in Beulah Land.”  (C. Austin Miles)

Peace

“Ĕirēnē (i-ray’-nay); probably from a primary verb ĕirōō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity:-one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.” (Strong’s Concordance) An inner quietness and trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even in the face of adverse circumstances. Philippians 4:7 (KJV), “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Paul emphasizes that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, offering profound reassurance amid life's chaos. This divine peace is not merely a fleeting comfort but a deep-seated tranquility that sustains us, enabling us to navigate turbulent times with grace and resilience, anchored in our faith. Just as God personifies Agape (love), He is the God of peace. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Marvin Richardson Vincent emphasizes that the concept of peace as described in the Pauline tradition transcends mere tranquility; it is deeply rooted in one's reconciliation with God. He says that true peace comes from being in harmony with the divine, highlighting that it is a moral state rather than a sentimental one. In this context, God is portrayed not just as a giver of peace, but also as the sanctifier, establishing that true peace is intertwined with moral integrity and spiritual alignment with God. The gospel is the gospel of peace: Romans 10:15 (KJV), “And how shall they preach, except they be sent: as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Longsuffering

“Makrŏthumia (mak-roth=oo=mee’-ah); longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:-longsuffering, patience.” (Strong’s Concordance) “Patience, Longsuffering: the ability to wait without becoming hasty or impetuous.” (Factbook) Ephesians 4:2 (KJV) “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” In a society that often prioritizes instant gratification, the Holy Spirit offers an enduring source of patience that enables Christians to navigate challenges with grace. This divine patience helps them endure difficult circumstances and provides a spirit of understanding and compassion towards others, reminding them that true fulfillment often requires waiting and trusting in God's timing. We all have endured moments where someone or something has irritated us and because of our sinful nature, it is so easy to just snap or spout off hateful words instead of being patient and understanding. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to provide this fruit of the Spirit. Just a warning though, if you pray for patience, you better be prepared to face the challenges He allows to happen for you to learn patience… But, if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and deny our carnal nature, He will help us through it.

Gentleness

“Chrēstŏtēs,(khray-stot’-ace); usefulness, i.e. more excellence (in character or demeanor):-gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.” (Strong’s Concordance) “Gentleness​: a personal quality characterized by kindness, mildness, and a tender approach to others.” (Factbook) Titus 3:2 (KJV) “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” The fruit of the Spirit, particularly love, facilitates other virtues such as kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in a Christian's life. As love deepens through the influence of God’s Spirit, it cultivates an environment where gentleness, longsuffering, and goodness can flourish, aligning with the fruit outlined in Galatians 5. This connection between the fruit highlights how love is foundational to the expression of all other spiritual fruits. Ephesians. 4:32 (KJV), “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” When we allow the Spirit to endow us with gentleness, we can behave kindly and compassionately toward others, as God did toward us.

Goodness

Goodness, as a fruit of the Spirit, embodies moral integrity and unselfish actions that reflect a deep commitment to living righteously and positively impacting the lives of others. It calls for individuals to uphold ethical standards and engage in acts of kindness and generosity, showing a genuine desire to do good and standing for the principles of Godliness in everyday life. Galatians 6:10 (KJV) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Reaching out to do good, regardless of whether others deserve it, shows unconditional kindness and empathy, nurturing positive change in a world often plagued by negativity. By choosing to absorb offenses rather than react with hostility, we cultivate a spirit of compassion, demonstrating that true goodness lies in our ability to respond with positive actions, ultimately breaking cycles of negativity and inspiring others to do the same. Many times my carnal nature wants to take control and behave negatively, so one of my prayers on my prayer “wall” asks for help to be able to stimulate others to love and do good deeds and encourage each other.

Faith

            “Pistis, (pis’tis); persuasion, i.e. credence; conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstract constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:-assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.” (Strong’s Concordance) “While the Bible’s theme of ‘faith’ can be understood in a variety of ways, it can be summarized as active trust and belief displayed through obedience. Faith does not suggest mere intellectual or cognitive belief in a proposition, doctrine, or even a person, though it does sometimes entail doctrinal belief and theological understanding (e.g., that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God who has come in the flesh). Faith is typically understood as involving the whole self—mind, heart, and body—in a relationship with God that expresses trust and a grateful response to His loving initiative. While faith is more than intellectual assent, it necessarily involves a declaration, a promise, and ultimately, a person. The Bible commands a variety of expressions of faith, including belief in covenant promises, submission to divine commands, worshipful attitudes toward God, and adherence to doctrine. In the Bible, faith moves from Old Testament trust in the usually unseen God (Yahweh) to New Testament belief in and active submission to the person of Jesus, God in human form (John 1:14, 18; Col 1:15; Heb 1:1–3).” (Faithlife Study Bible) Romans 10:17 (KJV), “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Every study that we have done so far has shown how important it is to stay in God’s Word. Not just an “Oh I read a few verses, that takes care of my duty for the day”, or an “Oh I listened to a sermon, so that’s good enough.” He wants us to study His word day and night: Psalms 1:1-3 (KJV), “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” I believe that this also shows how we can manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

Meekness

            “Praᵢŏtēs, (prah-ot’-ace); gentleness, by implication humility:-meekness.” (Strong’s Concordance) According to Marvin Richardson Vincent, “As toward God, therefore, meekness accepts his dealings without murmur or resistance as absolutely good and wise. As toward man, it accepts opposition, insult, and provocation, as God’s permitted ministers of a chastening demanded by the infirmity and corruption of sin; while, under this sense of his own sinfulness, the meek bears patiently ‘the contradiction of sinners against himself,’ forgiving and restoring the erring in a spirit of meekness, considering himself, lest he also be tempted (see Gal. 6:1–5). The ideas of forgiveness and restoration nowhere attach to the classical word. They belong exclusively to Christian meekness, which thus shows itself allied to love. As ascribed by our Lord to himself, see in Matt. 11:29...” Matthew 11:29 (KJV), “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” “noun: the quality or state of being meek: a mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality” (Merriam Webster Dictionary) Meekness, embodies strength through humility and gratitude towards God. Coupled with respectful and considerate interactions with others; it emphasizes a powerful inner disposition rather than any form of weakness.

Temperance

            “Ĕgkratĕia, (eng-krat’-iah); self-control; -temperance.” (Strong’s Concordance) Temperance is mastery over sinful human desires and their lack of restraint. Ironically, our sinful desires, which promise self-fulfillment and power, inevitably lead us to slavery. When we surrender to God’s will, initially we feel as though we have lost control, but He leads us to the exercise of self-control that would be impossible in our own strength. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (KJV), “according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Self-control, particularly in a Christian context, involves the ability to manage one's thoughts, emotions, and actions following God's commands, exemplified perfectly by Jesus Christ. His sinless life and unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's will, serve as a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of resisting temptation and maintaining faith in the pursuit of eternal life.

Conclusion

“5:22 the fruit of the Spirit This list (vv. 22–23), contrasts with the works of the flesh (vv. 19–21), is not exhaustive but representative. These traits describe the desires and characteristics that God cultivates in believers through His living presence. The phrase ‘fruit of the Spirit’ in this context refers not to ‘spiritual fruit,’ but to ‘fruit that the Spirit produces’.” (Faithlife Study Bible Commentary)

            In other words, we should notice who produces the fruit in our lives. We cannot produce it ourselves without God’s help because of our sinful nature. We are to totally surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us. John 16:13-14 (KJV), “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in us. As we all know, in nature, fruit doesn’t just appear out of the ground. It is either attached to a tree, vine, or some sort of plant. Without those sources, the fruit could not sustain itself. Jesus tells us that the same applies to us spiritually in John 15:4 (KJV) “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” We are also given a warning in Romans 11:20-22 (KJV), Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” He’s speaking about the Jews (who rejected Jesus) being cut off and is saying that we can be cut off also if we don’t continue in God’s goodness. He also gives hope to Jews in the next two verses: “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”

Understanding the fruit of the Spirit involves recognizing that we are nurtured by God's Spirit, where the aim is to cultivate a variety of virtues. We should not be disheartened by our shortcomings in certain areas like love or patience. Instead, we must allow God to work in us, trusting that through our obedience to Christ, a beautiful salvation and transformation are in store.

This reflection highlights the profound impact of nurturing a relationship with God, emphasizing that humility and submission to His will are essential for allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. By actively inviting His presence and committing to this journey, we can expect a bountiful spiritual harvest that not only transforms our inner selves but also enriches our everyday lives, ultimately developing a deeper connection with His love and guidance.

I will leave you with this scripture which is my prayer for each of us and all of God’s people everywhere: Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV), “that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

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Campbell, M. (2023, August 18). Cultivating the Fruits of the Spirit. In The Word, Purposeful Living. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://experiencerevival.com/2023/08/18/cultivating-the-fruits-of-the-spirit/

Compassion International (n.d.). Comprehending the Fruit of the Spirit. Releasing Children From Poverty Compassion in Jesus Name. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://www.compassion.com/christian-faith/fruit-of-the-spirit.htm

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ga 5:22,23

Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 4 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 52.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Meekness. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meekness

McDonald, M. (2011, September 29). My thought for today. Blog at WordPress.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://peebles.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/nehemiah-810-kjv-for-the-joy-of-the-lord-is-your-strength-2/

Strong, J. (1996). The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible (p. 98intheGreeksection). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

StudyLight.org (n.d.). Bible Dictionaries Love. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ved/l/love.html