The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he produces fruit in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit is a description of Jesus. When we are under the control of the Spirit, these characteristics are evident in our life. Let’s take some time and look at each of the fruit of the Spirit and see what scripture has to say.
Love –
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this, the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 1 John 4:7-12
Personal questions:
Do you think people feel they have to gain your approval or do they know that you love them and that you will help them in any way you can?
Are you more drive to give love or receive love?
Do you genuinely love those who are unlovable or who do not love me in return?
Joy –
You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. Psalm 4:7
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11
Also, read psalm 16:11; 32:11 and Philippians 4:4
Is your level of joy consistent, regardless of circumstances, or how others treat you?
Do others see the joy of the Lord displayed in your life?
Do you serve the Lord with gladness?
Peace-
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Read also John 16:33; Colossians 3:15
When you are under pressure, is your spirit calm or is it frantic or turbulent?
Do you show the inner tranquility of the mind and quiet confidence that God is in control regardless of what is going on around you?
Patience –
strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:11-12
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
Are you long-suffering when you are mistreated by others?
Are you willing to accept and endure irritating and adverse circumstances?
Are you willing to wait for God to vindicate you or to reward you for your labors?
Join me tomorrow as we dig deeper into the rest of the fruit of the Spirits!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Spirit! Thank you that as we grow more in you. I pray that we will learn more about each of you fruits of the spirit and apply them to our daily living.
In Jesus Name
Amen
