The FRUIT of The Spirit

I loved going to VBS (Vacation Bible School) as a kid…I just called it “Bible School.” I didn’t just go to our church’s at the time…I went to multiple, maybe not each summer; but I can quickly think of five different churches where I attended their Bible School at one time or another. From the songs to the crafts (especially the crafts!) to the snacks, I had a blast. One of the songs that still stands out to me has a catchy , little tune that I kind of wish I could sing for you! “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering…temperance, goodness, meekness…Galatians five – twenty-two and twenty-three!” I think I may be missing one (or, two!) when doing the song from memory. It’s a choppy and fun tune, but with lots of meaning!

If we are looking for the witness of The Holy Spirit in our lives, Galatians 5:22-23 declares it. The produce listed here is not a pick-and-choose fruit stand. It’s a variety of inviting traits combined to reveal one fruit when we are in step and surrendered to Jesus Christ…the FRUIT of The Holy Spirit.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A key phrase here is “the Holy Spirit produces.” We may want to; and we may try, but in our own effort, we fall short. It is when we come to the place of recognizing that we can’t, but letting go and recognizing He can.

It may be hard to comprehend, but sometimes that is the beauty of God’s power. We may not understand, but when we accept Jesus as God’s Son; repent of our sins; and surrender to Him, He can work wonders in our hearts and lives. The more we surrender ourselves to Him, the more of Him we receive. The more open we are to Him, His will, and His ways, the more He will fill us with Him, His will, His ways, and His desires. The result is this inviting fruit.

1- Love

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Love is—

patient and kind
always hopeful

not jealous
not boastful
not proud
not rude
not irritable

Love does not demand its own way.
Love keeps no record of being wronged.
Love does not rejoice about injustice.

Love rejoices when truth wins.

Love never gives up.
Love never loses faith.

Love endures.

Gee, I don’t know about you, but when I look at this list, I’m thinking that I need to take a break soon and pray and surrender more! I feel that I love hard, but there are items on this list that I could mark up on. As I said earlier, I can’t on my own, but I have seen God change me in more ways than one over the years; the key is being willing— and letting go. {Fill my cup, Lord.}

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2- Joy-noun; (1)the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: (2)a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: (3)the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.

Jesus said, “”I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:9-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

See the connection?

3- Peace-noun; (6) freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquillity; serenity.

Well, that’s inviting!! …but that segment of the fruit is not only inviting; but I believe, will be a witness to others and a constant invitation (especially along with the whole fruit) for them to want what you have.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” [Emphasis mine]
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I surrender, give thanks for all I have including The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, and all He has done in my life, I experience more love, joy, AND peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

4- Patience-noun; (2) an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: (3) quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence:

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

…because of your love.

5- Kindness

In one of the definitions of kindness, the word, “considerate” was used. In the above scripture (Phil. 4:5), it says to “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.”

Are we? Am I?

6- Goodness-noun; (3) kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.

I love the connection I’m seeing here!!

7- Faithfulness-noun;

These definitions speak for themselves…

(1) lasting loyalty and trustworthiness in relationships, especially marriage and friendship:

(2) the fact or quality of being true to one’s word or commitments, as to what one has pledged to do, professes to believe, etc.:

(3) the fact or quality of being dedicated and steadfast in performing one’s duty, working for a cause, etc.:

‘Nuff’ said!

8- Gentleness
The more we surrender, the more we become more like Jesus / YET / the more we become ourselves and who He created us to be.

Take a second look at Ephesians 4:2 above. Then look at the words of Jesus describing Himself…

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

[Side Note…There is where we will find rest.]

9- Self-Control

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What a good note to end on…[one of my favorites!]…
The spirit of fear does not come from God; however,
God gives power.
God gives love.
And—
God gives self-discipline.

That’s the Spirit I want.

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“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:14-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus noticed the improvements in the church at Thyatira…

““I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

…and I have no doubt He notices ours.

Celebrate improvement.
Celebrate surrender.

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Definitions from Dictionary.com app
Scripture copied from YouVersion Bible app