Did you know that the Holy Spirit in you wants to produce amazing qualities in your life? What qualities? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). In this powerful passage of scripture the Lord reveals to us the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Why are they called fruit? Why is it so important that we have these in our lives? Let’s consider some observations of the fruit of the Spirit.
- The word “fruit” here is used in the singular, yet there are 9 different fruits mentioned. How can this be? The fruit together forms a whole. God designed and intended on these 9 qualities to function together in his child. This fruit speaks of the character of God, and are the qualities we should possess in our lives.
- This fruit is the visible expression of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives as Christians. The works of the flesh on the other hand is a visible expression of the works of Satan (Gal 5:19-21).
- According to (Mt 7:16) people can be and are recognized by their fruit.
- The Greek word “fruit” here means to be plucked, to pull. They are produced in our lives and made available for others to enjoy. I think we all enjoy the natural sweetness of fresh fruit.
- Fruit is the result of the growth of a seed. Without a seed there is no fruit. Without being a child of God and having His Spirit there is no fruit. A seed only grows when it is watered, fertilized and fed. We will produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives only if we are feeding on the word of God and growing in Him. Jesus identifies the seed as the word of God (Lk 8:1). When we read and apply the word of God to our lives we give the Holy Spirit building blocks to produce His fruit within us. Jesus said “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples” (Jhn 15:8). Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit in your life?