The fruit of the Spirit

45. Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

DEFINITION: The fruit of the Spirit refers to the character traits growing in believers as they mature. The Spirit produces these. Further, these traits are all attributes of Jesus Christ that the Gospels report concerning Him; therefore the fruit of the Spirit is another term for Christlike character.

Both Testaments contain lists of virtues that God expects His people to exhibit (Mic. 6:8; 2 Pt 1:5-7). Often these refer to specific actions: obey God’s words; pray; follow the Ten Commandments; tell others about Jesus.
 The fruit of the Spirit, however, is more about inner character, reflecting a heart being transformed into Christ’s moral likeness. There is no essential difference between growth in sanctification and growth in the fruit of the Spirit.
Both the “gifts of the Spirit” and the “fruit of the Spirit” are empowered by the Spirit working in cooperation with the individual believer, yet they differ significantly as well. The Spirit’s gifts are capable of misuse and abuse. The Corinthians, who lacked no spiritual gift, were at the same time divided and “people of the flesh” (1 Co 1:7; 3:1-4). In fact, Jesus warned that flashy gifts such as prophesying, exorcism, and miracle working might be counterfeited (Mt 7:21-23).

The Devil, masquerading as an angel of light, is well able to perform supernatural deeds through willing human agents (2 Co 11:14; 2 Th 2:9-11).

The fruit of the Spirit, however, can’t be faked. The Devil has neither the desire nor the power to transform people into Christ’s moral likeness. Many Bible students have noted that the word “fruit” is singular and that the primary character quality God desires is love (agape, see the article on love). When love is exposed to the various demands of life, it expresses itself as joy, peace, patience, and so on.
 A useful illustration from everyday physics may be helpful. Pure light is composed of all the colors of the rainbow. These colors are not seen, however, until a prism breaks white light into its components. So it is with the believer. The Spirit’s fruit enables us to grow in loving God and our neighbors, and such love will be expressed in the manner most appropriate to the situation.

REFLECTION: Which aspect of the Spirit’s fruit do you personally need the most for today? 

Evaluate your life over the past month. Which aspect of the fruit is the Spirit developing in you?

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I know that You long for me to be one in whom spiritual fruit is growing. Help me live today aware that You are empowering me to grow in Christ’s likeness. Amen.

52 Words Every Christian Should Know.