The fruit of the Spirit is the moral character developed by the power of the Spirit. The nine character qualities are a unity, a perfectly formed Christlike character. In this passage Paul expressed his desire to see Christ in the Galatian believers (4:19). Next he describes what they will be like when that work is complete. These character qualities are not a new list of laws or moral codes that must be kept; they are the result of living and being led by the Spirit.
I like this description taken from biblegateway.com. The character qualities are a unity, together they create the fruit, or the evidence of our faith in Christ. As we press in to the Lord, or grow in the reliance upon the power of the Holy Spirit, we develop fruit. So what does this fruit look like?
Love = a feast of charity
Joy = internal vs. external happiness
Peace = harmony in relationships
Patience = staying power
Kindness = warmer, softer, and sweeter
Goodness = doing what is right
Faithfulness = keeping our commitments
Gentleness = a strong hand with a soft touch
Self-Control = saying no to self
In unity this is what the fruit, or the result of our relying on the Holy Spirit looks like.
This tree in our photo has the potential to bear fruit. But it doesn’t have any fruit on it now, because this isn’t the season for fruit. With trees, there are external influences that determine whether there will be any fruit or fruit that is useful. If the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have the potential to bear fruit. Unlike trees, our determining influence is internal, in fact it really comes down to our will verses God’s will. So how do I bear spiritual fruit?
Like was said in the opening description, the list of spiritual fruit is not a check list of rules to follow, however I know I can (1) use this list as an assessment tool for my life. I can ask myself, is there a feast of charity that is evident in my workplace, in my home, with people I am intentionally trying to influence for Christ, with my “neighbors”. And so on. (2) If I see improvement in various areas I can praise God. Because after all it’s His fruit, His work in my life that is producing this stuff I never could on my own. (3) If I don’t see growth looking back over weeks or months, I can ask for help. Maybe something like this.
Lord, help me be more aware when I am getting in the way of the Holy Spirit to love people like you love them. Help me to be more sensitive to what He is trying to do in me and through me. Help me to grow, by pruning away the old branches that aren’t productive. I know it might be painful for a time, but I would rather produce healthy strong fruit and live abundantly than to hold on to my old dead habits and unproductive thoughts, so prune as You need to Lord. Thank you! Amen.
