The Fruit of the Spirit

There is a war going on in our minds. The apostle Paul knew all about this battle. People like Cain and Judas. But we don’t have to surrender.

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Walking along the path laid out by the Holy Spirit will lead us to victory.

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:12-14)

Walking in the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit. This fruit indicates whether we are on the path to victory.

Text: Galatians 5:22-23

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

1.      Love

As the apostle Paul put it in Colossians 3:14, “above all things”—first and foremost. Jesus set the mark high

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (John 13:34-35)

Those who follow Jesus, who walk in the Spirit, produce the fruit of love. Since we have been born of God, and God is love. Then loving others (their souls) should be the most natural thing in the world.

2.      Joy

The Bible informs us joy is a fruit of obedience to God’s will.

¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:10-11)

Joy is a fruit of the thankful mind—thankful that your name is written in heaven.

²⁰ Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

Joy is the assurance that God has better things ahead of you no matter what circumstances are happening to you. Joy is expressed as gladness, contentment, and cheerfulness. Joy is delight in God’s grace and favor.

3.      Peace

True peace can only come from God.

⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This peace is characterized by serenity and calmness of the body, mind, and spirit. It is not dependent upon external circumstances.

²³ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

When we trust in God and His promises, then we experience harmony and tranquility that the world doesn’t know or understand.

⁵ Trust in the Lord

 with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5)

4.      Long-suffering

·        Long-suffering means to exercise self-restraint when trouble comes, to be patient when you are suffering.

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

He is patient with sinners. We need to be as well.

·        Think about how different our world would be if all of us practiced being long-suffering at home, work, school, and church.

¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

By walking in the Spirit, the Christian can be an example to the unbeliever.

5.      Kindness

Kindness is to be a way of life for the Christian. “Be kind to one another…” Ephesians 4:32. As difficult as it may be, we should follow the teaching of:

⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45)

This is following after the example of God Himself.

³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

6.      Goodness

The Greek word means “uprightness of heart and life.” It is virtue and holiness in action. It is the desire to be a blessing to others. Someone walking in the Spirit wants to be a benefit to others by selflessly acting on their behalf. Acts like giving to the poor, visiting the sick, and helping a neighbor are examples of goodness in a person’s life.

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,

especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-11)

As others see our good works, they will glorify God in heaven.

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

7.      Faithfulness

Faithfulness is unfailing loyalty to someone regardless of extenuating circumstances. Since God is faithful,

⁸ O Lord God of hosts,
Who is mighty like You, O Lord?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You. (Psalms 89:8)

therefore, walking in the Spirit of God means following Him as our example of trustworthiness. Ephesians 5:1 “…be imitators of God.” Faithfulness, even in small matters, is known to God and rewarded in the end.

17 And he said to him, Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. (Luke 19:17)

8.      Gentleness

Sometimes translated as meekness. Often described as “strength under control.” It is displayed as polite, restrained behavior. Jesus is the perfect picture of gentleness.

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” (Matthew 12:5)

We are called to walk in gentleness.

¹ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:1-2)

But gentleness doesn’t mean not rebuking sin.

¹ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

9.      Self-Control

Self-control involves moderation and constraint. It means saying “no” to worldly passions. As Christians walking in the Spirit, we are not to be “slaves of sin.” (Romans 6:6)

Note also

³² He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

²⁸ Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)

 

Jesus said, “You will know by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16. What kind of fruit are you producing?

 

 

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