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Fruits of the Spirit - Bible Story

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Fruits of the Spirit - Bible Story

What are the Fruits of the Spirit?

The Fruits of the Spirit, as outlined in the Bible in Galatians 5, represent a collection of nine virtues produced in the lives of believers through the work of the Holy Spirit. These virtues are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Essentially, they serve as markers of a Christian's spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. 

Love is the cornerstone, living with selfless affection towards others, mirroring God’s unconditional love. Joy transcends mere happiness, rooted in the firm assurance of God’s sovereignty. Peace offers a serene confidence and rest in God's power and plans, while patience reveals steadfast endurance. Kindness and goodness reflect a compassionate and moral character directed towards the welfare of others. Faithfulness underscores loyalty and trust in God's promises. Gentleness exhibits a meek and considerate approach towards others, and self-control highlights the discipline over one's desires and impulses. 

These virtues enhance personal spiritual maturity and positively influence the broader community, embodying the character and essence of Jesus Christ.

Fruits of the Spirit in the Bible

The Fruit of the Spirit: 

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. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Related Bible passage: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13)

List of the Fruits of the Spirit:

Love - Caring deeply for others as God loves us, putting others' needs before our own.

Joy - A deep and abiding inner gladness that comes from our relationship with God, not dependent on external circumstances.

Peace - An inner sense of calm and tranquility, knowing God is in control regardless of life's storms.

Patience (Forbearance) - The ability to endure difficult situations or people without becoming angry or upset.

Kindness - Showing consideration and care towards others through helpful deeds and gracious actions.

Goodness - The quality of being morally good or virtuous, doing what is right in God's eyes.

Faithfulness - Being dependable and trustworthy, steadfast in our relationship with God and others.

Gentleness - Approaching others with care and calm strength, not harshness or aggression.

Self-control - The ability to control our desires and impulses, living in a way that honors God's will.

Each of these "fruits" is a quality that the Holy Spirit develops in us as we grow in our faith. They are called "fruits" because they are the natural product of the Spirit's presence in our lives, much like fruit is the natural product of a healthy tree. The more we allow the Spirit to work in us, the more these qualities will be evident in our lives.

Bible Verses about Fruit

John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Matthew 3:8 - Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

James 3:17 - But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

John 15:5 - I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:8 - By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Genesis 1:29 - And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

Matthew 13:22 - As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

John 15:2 - Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Galatians 5

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5 Commentaries

Galatians 5:22-26

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.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Colossians 3:12-24

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

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