Galatians 5:22-23 lists nine character traits as the “fruit of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Verse 23 concludes with, “Against such there is no law.” These characteristics are totally in harmony with the full spiritual intent of God’s holy and beneficial law, and every human government would be happy to have citizens exhibiting these traits.
Growing in the fruit of the Spirit is expected of those who have decided to turn to God. These characteristics aren’t suggestions or possibilities; they are aspects of the mind of God. We are to grow to think and act more like God does, and the fruit of the Spirit helps outline the path of a Christian, yet many who claim to be Christian don’t display these fruits very well.
What does the fruit of the Spirit show others?
Christians who have been genuinely saved have the opportunity to be walking billboards of God’s existence and wisdom. When we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, people watch and take notice. Whether they mock us for being naive when we patiently trust in God through trials or commend us for our generous and loving attitudes, they do see. Whether they laugh at us for controlling our human impulses or stare in amazement as we find fulfilling peace amidst tragedy, they see.
Most importantly, our demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit shows that there is an alternative way of life to the one Satan has deceived the majority of people of this world into living (Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). It points people toward the coming Kingdom of God and turns them away from the carnal here and now that has brought so much pain, misery and destruction.
The fruit of the Spirit isn’t about just sitting and waiting for the Kingdom, but rather about training for living God’s way of life now with every thought and action of our lives. Then the example of peace and comfort that comes along with those changed attitudes and standards will be a witness as to why the Kingdom of God is so sorely needed on this earth.
Why we need to grow in the fruit of the Spirit?
If we call ourselves Christians, having Christ’s mind in us as new creations, then we must be ever increasing our demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit. This not only affects others around us through our example, but it affects us as well.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Christians are commanded, “Do not quench the Spirit.” We must stay connected to God and always ask Him for more of His Spirit. We must obey God and use His Spirit to become more like Him. Becoming lax in demonstrating the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit is dangerous to our spiritual life. As Christians, we believe that the Holy Spirit is our guarantee or down payment on eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Knowing this, what happens if the very evidence that we have that Holy Spirit begins to slowly decrease and maybe even eventually disappear due to cynicism, life’s trials, mockery and complacency?
Imagine the Holy Spirit as a roaring campfire. What happens to the fire when we stop putting in the fuel and instead throw dirt on it? It goes out. It no longer produces the light or heat for which it was started. In the same way if we neglect our relationship with God and become focused on the things of the world, we will extinguish the presence of God’s Spirit in our lives and no longer produce the fruit of the Spirit.
In addition to the importance of showing others how God’s Spirit can work in our lives, Christians must never underestimate the importance of fulfilling the covenant we made with the God of the universe when we were baptized and received the greatest gift of all: His Holy Spirit.
THE NINE(9) CHARACTER TRAITS OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
As you learn about the essential traits of our Christian character, make a firm decision to do your best to demonstrate them in your thoughts and actions. Upon clicking each of the items listed below, you will be redirected to Life, Hope and Truth website. The articles about each individual character trait include:
A description of the trait.
Evidence from the Bible detailing why God wants us to demonstrate it.
Examples of it found in the Bible.
A self-examination questionnaire.
Some ideas of how to grow more of it in our lives.
The feedback of the self examination questionnaire under each character trait will be the assignment for this study. Be sincere with your feedback, there are no right or wrong answers.