Galatians 5:22-25 New International Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
As a Christian, our bodies are now the temple and the Holy Spirit dwells therein, which is another lesson entirely.
However, this lesson is looking at what our circle of the world should see in the life of a follower of Christ.
Particularly, in our life.
The scripture tells us that “by their fruits you shall know them”, meaning we can tell whether a person is a believer or not by their character, conduct and conversation and Paul tells us explicitly what the fruit of the Spirit that lives inside us looks like to the world.
Let us take a look at each component of the “fruit of the Spirit” and as you read each one, STOP and meditate on how this applies and appears in your life;
What Are The 9 Components Of The Fruit Of The Spirit?
- Love – Agape love is not an emotional type of love. It is a selfless, sacrificial and unconditional love. It is the type of love that God demonstrates and that Jesus taught us we must have. Remember, God loves us while we were yet sinners and Jesus demonstrated this love on the Cross of Calvary.
- Joy – Joy is the feeling or emotion caused by one’s well-being, success or good fortune. It is a state of happiness.
- Peace – Peace is the freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. It is also a state of mutual accord or harmony in our personal relationships.
- Forbearance – Forbearance is patience, or the ability to refrain from some action or emotion. It can also indicate long-suffering and tolerance.
- Kindness – Kindness or being kind is showing grace, mercy, courtesy and favor.
- Goodness – Goodness includes many things, such as righteousness, decency, integrity and honesty. Goodness means uprightness and virtuousness.
- Faithfulness – Faithfulness is the act of being steadfast and loyal in our trust or allegiance to God.
- Gentleness – Gentleness is being free from harshness or violence and displaying a mildness of manner or disposition.
- Self-Control – Self-control is the exhibition of restraint over one’s impulses, emotions or desires.
Did you stop after reading each one, meditate and consider your thoughts, words, deeds and actions?
Did you find that you display each of these components in your life?
Or, did you find that you are sometimes lacking in one or more?
If we walk in the Spirit, each of these components of the “fruit of the Spirit” will be evident to all that we come in contact with.
Galatians 5:16 New International Version
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
If we are walking in the Spirit, being led by and obedient to the Holy Spirit, our character, conduct and conversation will display all 9 of them. None will be missing. Not one.
However, if we are not totally surrendered and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, all of the components will not be apparent or visible.
Read through each of the components of the “fruit of the Spirit” again and determine what, if anything, you need to work on.
Ask God to lead you, surrender yourself, be obedient and walk therein.
This is part of the spiritual growth process, becoming what God wants and expects us to be.
RVH