Fruit of the Spirit - Visible Growth in the Body of Jesus Christ
"Fruit of the Spirit" is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible
attributes of a true Christian life. Using the King James Version of Galatians
5:22-23, these attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We learn from scripture
that these are not individual "fruits" from which we pick and choose. Rather,
the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold "fruit" that characterizes all who truly
walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians
should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ.
Fruit of the Spirit - The Nine Biblical Attributes
The fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian's transformed
life. In order to mature as believers, we should study and understand the
attributes of the ninefold fruit:
Love - "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 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).
Joy - "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).
Peace - "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).
Longsuffering (patience) -- We are "strengthened with all might,
according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with
joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11). "With all lowliness and meekness, with
longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
Gentleness (kindness) -- We should live "in purity, understanding,
patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful
speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand
and in the left" (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).
Goodness - "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God
would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his
goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thessalonians 1:11). "For the
fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians
5:9).
Faith (faithfulness) - "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).
Meekness - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "With all lowliness and
meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
Temperance (self-control) - "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).
Fruit of the Spirit - A Devotional for All Christians
The fruit of the Spirit is a wonderful study for Christians at any level of
spiritual maturity. We hope this website provides a thought-provoking devotional
and a springboard for growth.