FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

A true Christian is the person who being saved by Christ produces fruit consistent with the life of Christ. See Acts 11:26. Mat 3:8-12. Mat 7:15-21. 2 Tim 2:19. A Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit which empowers him to live the life of Christ. Walking in the Spirit is living by faith resulting in the grace to delightfully do the will of God. Psa 1:2. Gal 2:20. Rom 1:17. 1 John 5: 3-4. Hence the fruit of the Spirit as revealed in Gal 5:22-23 are generally visible characteristics of a true Christian.

We shall examine the fruit of the Spirit.

LOVE: 
God is love. Our strongest identity as children of God is love. 1 Cor 13: 1-8. Rom 5:5. 1 John 4:9-13.

How do we experience and transmit the love of God?

JOY:
Christians are supposed to be the 'happiest people on earth'. Our source of Joy is God. Neh 8:10. Isa 12:3. Heb 12:2.  Rom 14:17. Mat 13:44. Jam 1:2. 1 Thes 5:16. Phil 4:4.

Joy. Joy. Joy.  With Joy my heart is ringing...

How do we remain joyful in the face of trials and tribulations ?

PEACE: 
Peace is inner stability and a deep sense of wholeness. Like Love and Peace, nothing else can bring true peace outside God. Isa 48:22. John 14:27;16:33. Phil 4:6-7. Psalm 46. 2 Thes 3:16. 1 Thes 5:23. Rom 5:1.

I have peace like a river...

How do the thoughts of our mind affect our peace ?

LONG SUFFERING:
Or Patience. Patience is our disposition to God and others. How do we tolerate  others? This is a foremost virtue in a world ruled by selfish ambitions. Luk 21:19. Isa 28:16. Mat 18:21-35. Mat 6:12. Luk 6:36-38. 2 Tim 2: 24-25. 1 Thes 5:14. James 5:7-8.

How do we learn or practice patience?

GENTLENESS:
This is how we treat others. The root word 'chrestotes' also means 'useful'. Are we useful to people? How do we treat the weak, the poor, the injured or vulnerable? Luk 10:30-37. 1 Thes 2:7. Psa 18:35. 2 Cor 10:1. Tit 3:2. Jam 3:17.

Is gentleness easier for certain temprament? How can I be gentle and firm?

GOODNESS:
Goodness is a quality of moral excellence. People should see a Christian and see a good person. Mat 19:16-17. Luk 23:47. Act 11:24. Mat. 7:17. Rom 15:4. Dan 6:5. Eph 5:9. 2 Pet 1:5. Mat. 3:11.

What advantages does goodness have or being 'smart' ?

FAITH:
The life of the Christian is a life of faith all through. Rom 1:16-17. Eph 2:8-9. Faith which simply means trust in God is one virtue a Christian must constantly invest in. Jud 20. Heb 1,6. Rom 10:17. Mat 8:10.

How do we strengthen our faith in God?

MEEKNESS:
Meekness is strenght under control. All power is subject to easy abuse. God empowers and blesses a meek man because a meek person would not abuse God's power. Num 12:3. Mat 11:28-30. Eph 4:1-3. 1 Pet 3:4.

How is meekness different from humility?

SELF CONTROL:
Self control is mastery over one's emotions and actions. Prov 25:28. 1 Pet 1:5-8. 1 Cor 9:24-27. 2 Tim 3:1-4. To yield to the Spirit, we must control the self.

How do we practise self restraint?

Conclusion.

We are known by our fruits.  Every believer in Christ is expected of God to bear fruit. Mat 13:23. John 15:1-8, 16. Rom 7:4. Col 1:9- 10.

- prepared by Adeolu Olumodeji