What is the fruit of the Spirit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith… (Galatians 5:22, KJV)

The scriptures use figurative language especially metaphors extensively. The basic objective of a metaphor is to use something physical which we all know and can relate with to teach spiritual things which are abstract and sometimes challenging to understand. This is the case with the term “fruit” as used in the scripture above.

We are all familiar with fruits. They are a useful byproduct of trees. The ability of a tree to produce fruit says volumes about the health of the tree. Fruits are of different types, and might even vary in quality and quantity. The scriptures use the word “tree” to describe our lives as humans. The fruit of the trees of our lives is our character. When we yield our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit, He will take charge of our character and produce heavenly virtues. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc are character virtues that the Spirit of God can produce in any person as we yield to Him.

Did you notice the notable absence of miracles, prophecies or other manifestations of miracle-working power in the list above? That does not mean they are not necessary. They simply occupy a different role. They are the gifts of the Spirit. They do not testify of a person’s character but usability and usefulness in the kingdom. It is obvious in the Word that the Lord places more value on the fruit of the Spirit than on the gifts. Naturally, most of us reverse this divine order and put more value on gifts because they seem to be the immediate solution to most of our earthly problems. However, we should begin to see life as God sees it. The Lord is seeking fruit.

MEDITATE

What is the difference between the fruit of the Spirit and the gift of the Spirit?

Declare that “ I am abounding in the fruit of the Spirit in every area of my life”

APPLY THE WORD

For a tree to bear fruit, it must be in good health and have access to water, and other necessary nutrients. It takes a healthy spiritual life and yielding to the Spirit of God to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Allow God to mold your character and transform your life. Yield to His control through the influence of His Word in your life by the working of the Spirit.