“Fruit of the Spirit”
is a Biblical term that sums up the 9 visible
attributes of a true Christian life. As a
Christian, you should see the fruit of the
Spirit, which is the nature of Jesus being
produced within you. Scripture makes it clear
that total surrender to Christ and His Word
opens the way to the life of fruitfulness
and spiritual productivity. These are not
individual “fruits” from which
we can pick and choose. When the Apostle Paul
followed the list of the fruit of the Spirit
by saying that “against such things
there is no law,” he was talking about
the fact that societal authorities found it
difficult to object to behavior that showed
these characteristics. The “fruit of
the Spirit” virtues are known to be
positive characteristics by the general public,
in most eras in most lands. These character
traits are more of a matter of what you are,
not what you do. When you have the fruit of
the Spirit operating in your life, no one
can find a reason to accuse you before God.
You will find yourself able to get along with
others and in turn, they will be able to get
along with you.
A strong affection desire or devotion. God
is love. “Whoever lives in love lives
in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). Through Jesus Christ, our greatest
goal is to do all things in love. "Love
is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud. It is
not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love
never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
The ability to focus on what is good. Thankfulness
leads to joyfulness, the ability to enjoy
life. The joy of the Lord is your strength"
(Nehemiah 8:10). "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"
(Hebrews 12:2)
A state of mind, freedom from strife or discord;
harmony in personal relationships. “Therefore,
since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ" (Romans 5:1). "May the God
of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
you trust in him, so that you may overflow
with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"
(Romans 15:13)
Bearing pains or trials calmly or without
complaint; not hasty or impetuous; steadfast
despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience.”
(Proverbs 19:11)
Affectionate, loving, sympathetic or helpful
in nature; arising from or characterized by
sympathy or tolerance. “Whoever is kind
to the needy honors” (Proverbs.14:31)
Kind; profitable; excellent; fitting or appropriate;
morally right
"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all
goodness and righteousness and truth."
(Ephesians 5:9)
Firm in obedience; loyal; worthy of trust;
devotion.
"O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt
thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast
done wonderful things; thy counsels of old
are faithfulness and truth." (Isaiah
25:1). "I pray that out of his glorious
riches he may strengthen you with power through
his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ
may dwell in your hearts through faith."
(Ephesians 3:16-17)
Kind; mild mannered; the refusal to use power
over anyone; an unwillingness to act out of
spite or vengeance. “A gentle answer
turns away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1)
Restraint exercised over one's own impulses,
emotions, or desires; "But also for this
very reason, giving all diligence, add to
your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to
knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,
to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly
kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love."
(2 Peter 1:5-7)
