The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus, to do as Jesus teaches, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

John 15: 17

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The result of following and obeying Jesus's teachings is to bear fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

In the past, I focused primarily on bearing fruit, but recently, I've been drawn to the phrase, "against such things there is no law." At times, we confront temptations and unhealthy desires, yet as we grow more mature in the Holy Spirit, prioritizing spiritual desires over earthly ones, we find it easier to bear spiritual fruit and resist earthly desires.

For instance, if you opt to forgive those who have caused you pain and permit God to bring healing into your life, you will experience genuine peace. You will be less inclined to blame your loved ones and more capable of embracing the present happiness in your life. Similarly, if you choose to exercise patience in building your wealth, as advised in Proverbs 13:11 ("Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow."), you will be less susceptible to falling prey to "get rich quick schemes."

Let's examine the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to explore Bible verses related to them and seek deeper understanding from the Holy Spirit. Personally, ask God how the fruits of the Holy Spirit relate to your faith journey.

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

In today's world, where knowledge is often equated with power, it's easy for people to elevate knowledge to the status of a god, leading to pride and judgmental attitudes. However, 1 Corinthians 8:1 reminds us that "knowledge puffs up while love builds up." Even if we possess many spiritual gifts, without love, we are essentially nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). May God instruct us in humility, helping us understand the depth of His love for us so that we can love others in a manner that reflects His divine love.

Joy

Habakkuk 3:18

yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Throughout life, we inevitably encounter trials and challenges that we'd rather avoid. Habakkuk 3:17 vividly portrays barren fig trees, unproductive fields, and empty pastures—it describes unfavorable circumstances. However, the author resolves to find joy in God, recognizing Him as their savior. May we, in both favorable and unfavorable circumstances, find comfort in God and rejoice in His presence.

Peace

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Peace is invaluable. The wonderful news is that Jesus grants us peace, a peace unlike any the world can provide. No matter what happens, rest assured that God is with us, He is in control, and He never leaves us, offering us a peace that surpasses worldly understanding.

Forbearance (Patience)

Romans 5:3-5

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

In a fast-paced world, patience often appears slow. Nevertheless, God recognizes that patience and perseverance are vital for our spiritual development. They shape our character and, through this journey, we come to rely more on God. Patience entails enduring with the understanding that God is ultimately in control of the situation, regardless of its outward appearance.

Kindness

Proverbs 3:3

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Kindness may seem simple, but it's not always easy to practice. Yet, to God, kindness embodies a godly character, holding immense value and bringing Him pleasure. I once heard a pastor emphasize the importance of packing kindness and forgiveness into the "luggage" of marriage. We must be prepared to consistently extend forgiveness and kindness to our spouse. In our daily lives, amidst our tasks and distractions, we might unintentionally overlook opportunities to help others. Therefore, Proverbs 3:3 advises us to bind "love" (which also signifies kindness in other translations) and "faithfulness" around our necks, inscribing them on the tablets of our hearts. May we continually seek and experience God's kindness in our lives, enabling us to extend grace and kindness to others.

Goodness

Psalm 34:8

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

May we always be prepared to do God’s work, so that when people interact with us, they may have a chance to encounter God’s goodness as well.

Faithfulness

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

May we always remember that God is faithful, and all that we invest in Him will never be in vain.

Gentleness

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Gentleness is not a mark of weakness; rather, it accompanies wisdom. It embodies consideration, compassion, and a constant reminder to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves.

Self-Control

2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Self-control is a character trait that can be cultivated, and with self-control, one can achieve genuine freedom. When was the last time you were able to cease endlessly scrolling through social media and opted instead to engage in your favorite hobby, read a good book, or go to bed early? When was the last time you declined junk food, resisted overindulgence, and opted for exercise to feel better? When was the last time you chose not to participate in gossip, affirming that your friends' secrets are safe with you? May God assist us in exercising self-discipline with the help of the Holy Spirit.