Galatians 5:22, 23 - The Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22, 23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against
these things!
WORD STUDY
Describe the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit are the godly
attitudes that characterize the lives of only those
who belong to God by faith in Christ and possess
the Spirit of God. The Spirit produces fruit
which consists of 9 characteristics or attitudes
that are inextricably linked with each other and
are commanded of believers throughout the New
Testament.
Love" One of several Greek words for
love, agape, is the love of choice, referring not
to an emotional affection, physical attraction,
or a familial bond, but to respect, devotion,
and affection that leads to willing
self-sacrificial service (John 15:13; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:16,
17). Joy."A happiness based on unchanging
divine promises and eternal spiritual realities. It
is the sense of well-being experienced by one
who knows all is well between himself and the
Lord (1 Pet. 1:8). Joy is not the result of
favorable circumstances, and even occurs when those
circumstances are the most painful and severe (John
16:20-22). Joy is a gift from God, and as such,
believers are not to manufacture it but to delight in
the blessing they already possess (Rom. 14:17;
Phil. 4:4). "Peace." The inner calm that results
from confidence in one's saving relationship with
Christ. The verb form denotes binding together and
is reflected in the expression "having it all
together." Like joy, peace is not related to one's
circumstances (John 14:27; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 4:6, 7, 9).
Longsuffering." Patience which refers
to the ability to endure injuries inflicted by
others and the willingness to accept irritating or
painful situations (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Tim.
1:15, 16). "Kindness." Tender concern for others,
reflected in a desire to treat others gently, just as
the Lord treats all believers (Matt. 11:28, 29;
19:13, 14; 2 Tim. 2:24). "Goodness." Moral and
spiritual excellence manifested in active kindness
(Rom. 5:7). Believers are commanded to exemplify
goodness (6:10; 2 Thess. 1:11). Faithfulness
Loyalty and trustworthiness (Lam. 3:22; Phil. 2:7-9;
1 Thess. 5:24; Rev. 2:10).
"Gentleness." Better translated
meekness." it is a humble and gentle attitude that is
patiently submissive in every offense, while having no
desire for revenge or retribution. In the New
Testament, it is used to describe 3 attitudes:
submission to the will of God (Col. 3:12), teachability
(James 5:21), and consideration of others (Eph.
4:2). Self-control. This refers to
restraining passions and appetites (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Pet.
1:5, 6). "No law." When a Christian walks by the
Spirit and manifests His fruit, he needs no
external law to produce the attitudes and behavior
that please God (Rom. 8:4) [MacArthur Daily Bible
2003]
INTRODUCTION
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]
Because the God who sent the law also sent
the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled
life are in perfect harmony with the intent of
God's law. A person who exhibits the fruit of the
Spirit fulfills the law far better than a person
who observes the rituals but has little love in
his or her heart. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
When you are filled with the Spirit, you
will produce the fruit of the Spirit. Keep in
mind that these fruits are of the Spirit. One
does not produce them himself. They are
supernatural in origin. The first is, according to
Galatians 5, love, and from this root will grow all
the others. We must differentiate between the
gifts and the fruit of the Spirit. Gifts are given
- fruits are grown. To grow something there
must be a close, personal relationship between
the vine and the branch. A person must be rooted
and grounded in Christ.
Another fruit of the Spirit is joy. One
of the characteristics of the Christian is an
inward joy that does not depend upon circumstances.
S. D. Gordon, the well-known devotional writer
of a past generation, said: "Joy has its
springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs
dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives
that joy. He had joy, singing its music within,
even under the shadow of the cross. It is an
unknown word and thing except as He has sway
within."
How can you root yourself in Christ so
firmly that you produce fruits? [Peace for Each Day
by Billy Graham]
COMMENTARY
A woman perches at the top of a
blossoming pear tree. As she clutches a long stick
topped with a duster, her face is drenched in
sweat; she carefully brushes her duster over each
cluster of blossoms. The woman is working on a farm
in China's Hanyuan County, often called the
"pear capital of the world." As natural
pollinators, like bees, became scarcer, pear farmers
found that human pollinators were cheaper! The
work is tedious - but good pollination ensures a
harvest.
God promises each of us a harvest as
well. But instead of pears, "the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, [and] peace?' By yourself, you
can never manufacture longsuffering, kindness,
or goodness. But through the Holy Spirit, God
promises He will gradually but surely develop these
traits in your life.
The Bible repeatedly compares a righteous
person to a tree, often planted by a plentiful
water source. When you accept Jesus into your
life, you become a tree planted in His orchard.
Fruit is the natural result of a fruit tree. But
there is a work involved! Busy pollinators start
the process, and the fruit begins to grow.
Similarly, the various fruits of righteousness in your
life are due to the work of the Holy Spirit on
your character.
Today's verse is a precious reassurance.
Once you are Christ's, faithfulness and
gentleness will continually grow in your life. Do you
need more joy? More kindness or self-control?
Pray for the Spirit to continue His work in you.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your promise of
joy! Please give me more of Your Spirit to keep
growing Your fruit in my life. [The Most Amazing
Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]
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
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Galatians 5:22, 23: The Fruit of the Spirit.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190820-1120.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190929-1013.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200420-0835.html
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220628-0910.html
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20231203-0734.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
