Fruit of the Spirit
Continuing with the thought from my post yesterday, I want to write about the fruit of the Spirit that is set forth in Galatians.
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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25.
One thing I’ve noticed about this verse is that it uses the singular “fruit” rather than the plural “fruits.” Each of the characteristics listed is not a separate and distinct fruit, but is one characteristic of a single fruit that is born of the Holy Spirit. Just as you might describe the fruit of an orange tree as juicy, sweet, round, orange, segmented, full of vitamins, and thick-skinned, so Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit by its many qualities or characteristics.
If, then, there is only one fruit, as a follower of Christ must I exhibit all of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit? Must I be loving, joyful, peaceful, forbearing, kind, good, faithful, gentle, AND self-controlled? I think that the answer to this question is a resounding YES!
If I am in step with the Spirit of God I will exhibit these qualities in some measure. Having contemplated this scripture before this is the conclusion I have always reached. I don’t get to pick and choose which characteristics I will exhibit because unlike choosing a piece of fruit from a bowl full of apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, and kiwi, there is but one fruit of the Spirit to choose.
So why, then, do I not exhibit all of these characteristics in large measure all of the time? Why am I at times not completely kind and loving? Why do I sometimes become impatient and somewhat less than gentle with my neighbor? Why do I not consistently maintain the ability to always eat properly and in proportion to the amount of food I need to survive at a healthy weight? Is it because the Spirit is not generating those qualities in me? Here I think the answer is a resounding NO!
The problem is not with the power and ability of the Spirit of God to produce the fruit of the Spirit in my life. The problem is that I try to produce these qualities on my own so that I might take credit for my own kindness, faithfulness, and peacefulness. The Spirit is willing and able; I know because I have experienced an increase in these qualities in myself when I rely on Him. But I sometimes forget to rely on His power when I am in need of these qualities (which is pretty much always).
So does this mean that I do not have the Spirit of God living in me as He promised if I believe? Going back to the analogy of the orange, I come to the conclusion that the answer again is no. Although an orange has all of the characteristics I listed above, each individual orange has them in different measures. Some oranges have so little juice they seem almost dry; others could fill a glass with juice on their own. Some oranges are so sweet it’s almost like eating honey; others are more sour with only a hint of sweetness. Some oranges are bright orange; others, not yet ripe, are mostly green on the outside. They are all, nonetheless, oranges. None is perfect, just as on his own no Christian is perfect. The ideal orange exists only in Spirit, just as the ideal Christian exists only in Spirit.
I may not be perfect on my own, and never will be. But I choose the fruit of the Spirit. As I purpose to rely more on the power of God’s Holy Spirit living in me, He will cultivate the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit in my life. Then to Him will go all the glory for the love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in me.
Share this:
I really enjoyed your blog. When we live in the spirit, we tend to exhibit the fruit of the spirit in our lives. I have noticed that when I am not in the word of God and praying like I should, the fruit of the spirit is less evident in my life. I rely more on myself and therefore am unable to have victory in the area of self-control or peace, etc.
I wanted our children to learn this verse and understand it, so we did a fruit of the spirit tree. I wrote about what we did on my blog, 4littlehoots.blogspot.com
I agree – When I don’t spend time in God’s Word it makes a difference. Your fruit of the Spirit tree sounds interesting. I will check it out. Peace, Linda
Very good summary, Linda. I liked what you said. Have seen you on other blogs often (like Thorns and Myrtles) so thought I should see what yours was like. Will be back. Just picked this topic off your list.
Can I ask if you’re still an active lawyer? If so, what is your specialty?
Pete, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I look forward to seeing more of you here, and will have to check out your blog as well. I am still an active member of the Oregon State Bar, but I don’t practice law. I actually work for the bar as the Director of Legal Publications. Peace, Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for replying so quickly. I had wondered what a “recovering” lawyer meant. But sounds like an impressive position. Does that mean you live around Salem or Portland?
I lived in Seattle for 12 years, and got to Portland occasionally. Oddly, was in eastern OR more often – going back and forth to southern Idaho.
Just so you know, we have a family website, but not a blog per se. We’d be delighted to have you look at it. At the moment, there are two major things on it: (1) the current text of the Bible study I’ve been writing on what Scripture actually means by “love your neighbors.” We expect that’ll be up until we find a publisher; then we’ll probably switch that over so people can buy copies of the actual book (right now you can make copies for your own use free.) Also, there are several extracts from it, and info on our family, which my daughter Yvette did.
(2) A computer desktop wallpaper section, which Yvette did. It has a little over 100 pictures, each available in four sizes. It’s still growing. She plans to put in a group of Scripture wallpapers, and to steadily add more seasonal wallpapers (and whatever else the Lord impresses her to do). She took almost all of those; I think there are 3 that either I or my son Bill took.
Feel free to browse and, we hope, enjoy both section
God continue to bless you there, Pete and family
Every time I read about ‘The Fruit Of The Spirit’ I am reminded of how human and lacking I am. At the same time I see endless possibilities for God to make something beautiful of my life.
Thanks kindly, Linda. Fruit can look nice and firm on the outside, hiding the imperfections within. I want to live a life that bears fruit that He will be pleased with. I will trust Him to bring this to pass.
Blessings
ann
May the Lord ripen the fruit in me altogether that it may be shared in total sweetness — not a bitter or sour taste on some parts.
🙂
Rea, I like that prayer! Thank you for adding it. 🙂 Peace, Linda
Thank you so much for this Linda. It goes so well with yesterday’s post on the Holy Spirit and He is using it to pull me closer. I don’t think that I realize -and perhaps I never will or can – the extent that the Holy Spirit helps me. Every kindness or loving act, every patient and gentle move I make is because of the Holy Spirit. May the fruit, non-plural, abound! God bless you and the fruit of the Spirit displayed through you each day.