Paul writes in Galatians 5:22-23 the nine specific behaviors – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that result from the work of the Holy Spirit in a true believers life.
“Either make the tree good and it’s fruit good, or make the tree bad and it’s fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit” – Matthew 12:33
Jesus said we are known by our fruit, so what are the good fruits we should aspire to? The apostle Paul mentions the “fruits of the Spirit” That are the outcome an indication of a relationship with God and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
The Fruit of the Spirit
The “Fruits of the Spirit” refers to a list of virtues and character traits outlined in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the book of Galatians 5:22-23. The apostle Paul, write about these qualities and attributes that should be evident in the life of true believers, which should be evident in their lives.
The fruits of the spirit are often considered essential qualities for a living a Christ filled life. The list includes:
Love: This is often seen as the foundational virtue and the greatest of all. It refers to selfless, sacrificial love for others, as demonstrated by Jesus.
Joy: A believer’s joy is not dependent on circumstances but is a a deep sense of contentment and gladness that comes from a relationship with God.
Peace: :This refers to inner peace, reconciliation with God, and living in harmony with others This refers to inner peace, reconciliation with God, and living in harmony with others.
Patience: Involves being slow to anger and showing forbearance and patience toward others, even in challenging situations.
Kindness: It is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate toward others, often putting their needs before one’s own.
Goodness: Goodness signifies moral excellence and integrity in one’s character and actions goodness, signifies moral excellence and integrity in one’s character and actions.
Faithfulness: This virtue relates to loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness in one’s commitments and relationships.
Gentleness: Involves having a gentle and humble spirit, showing meekness and compassion toward others.
Self-Control: The ability to exercise, discipline and restraint over one’s desires and behaviors, particularly in the face of temptation.
These fruits of the spirit are often seen as evidence of the transformative work of the Holy Spirit that lives in the life of believers. They serve as a guide for true believers to aspire who are virtuous, and Christlike character, promoting a life marked by love, joy, peace, and other qualities that reflect that he created of Jesus.
Those in Christ are differentiated from disbelievers, and that they have been endowed by the Holy Spirit, allowing them to bear these spiritual fruits.
The Greek word Karpos that we translate as “fruit” usually means fruit in the sense of edible fruits and vegetables, it can also be translated as offspring, deed, action, result, or profit. In agrarian society, fruit is a good thing that results from hard work and careful tending. Today, we might use the word “fruit” It’s a phrase, such as the “fruits of our labor”to communicate the results of our efforts. Even if we don’t harvest, strawberries, or apples, we can have “fruit,” something to show for our work, in a paycheck, I finished project, or even a baby.
Understanding that “fruit” in this verse, and mean deed, action, or result helps make this verse more personal. The result of the work of the spirit, and a true believers life is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.
In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul writes,
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immortality, impurity, sensuality , idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, to those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The Apostle Paul states the following nine gifts -The Fruit of the Spirit that result from true repentance,turning away from our sinful ways, towards love for God and neighbor.
“So i say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires, what is contrary to the spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not you do whatever you want” – Galatians 5:16
The spirit is the holy presence of God. The Greek word pneuma has multiple meanings, including breath, spirit, or wind. It is most commonly used to describe the holy presence of God on earth, but New Testament writers use this word to describe the wind, and their spirits, including angels and demons, and even a human soul or disposition.
In Galatians 5, Paul wants to make sure that people know how to spot the evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The result of the Holy Spirit in their lives would be good things like love, joy, kindness, self-control…
Jesus didn’t use the phrase “fruits of the Spirit.” but He often mentioned fruit and his teachings. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I and you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” Fruit is evidence of being connected to Christ, just as branches of a tree or grapevine have to be connected to the trunk to bear grapes or apples.
From Pity to Praise 