Galatians 5:22, 23 - The Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22, 23 - The Fruit of the Spirit.

Gal 5:22, 23 (TEV)  The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, 
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.   

A lot of different religious groups will give you all sorts of 
ways to know whether or not you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one 
simple answer: "by their fruit you will know them." Paul gives us the 
definition of holy fruit.... Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, 
Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. by Phil Ware in Heartlight Daily 
Devotionals  

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy 
Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found 
in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ's 
control--we can't obtain them by 'trying' to get them without his help. If 
we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our 
lives to his (see John 15:4, 5). We must know him, love him, remember 
him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended 
purpose of the law--to love God and our neighbors. Which of these 
qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?  [Life Application 
SB] 

It is true that there may be an outward correctness of 
deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and 
the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. 
Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may 
perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose 
side we are on?  
Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we 
love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best 
energies? If we are Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest 
thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long 
to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him 
in all things.  
Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth 
the fruits of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, 
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Galatians 5:22, 23. They 
will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but 
by the faith of the Son of God they will follow in His steps, 
reflect His character, and purify themselves even as He is pure. The 
things they once hated they now love, and the things they once loved 
they hate. The proud and self-assertive become meek and lowly in 
heart. The vain and supercilious become serious and unobtrusive. The 
drunken become sober, and the profligate pure. The vain customs and 
fashions of the world are laid aside. Christians will seek not the 
"outward adorning," but "the hidden man of the heart, in that which is 
not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." 1 
Peter 3: 3, 4.  SC58,9   

There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is 
centered in self. If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you 
are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of 
Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry 
the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your 
power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ--the 
Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others--you will grow and bring 
forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. 
Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made 
perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all 
that is pure, noble, and lovely. COL67-9   

An examination of the fruits of the Spirit can be intimidating. 
Working all nine of these traits into your life seems impossible, and 
indeed it is. But the moment you became a Christian, the Holy Spirit 
began a divine work to produce Christ's character in you.... All of this 
is as natural as the growth of fruit on a tree. You do not have to 
orchestrate it on your own. It automatically begins the moment you become a 
believer. How quickly it happens depends upon how completely you yield 
yourself to the Holy Spirit's activity. [Experiencing God Day by Day by 
Henry and Richard Blackaby]