LIVING OUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:22-23

The phrase “the fruit of the Spirit” has caused much confusion over the years. Perhaps it would be easier to begin by explaining what the fruit of the Spirit is not. It is not the result of any effort one can make. Not the effort to having faith, or to obey, or to be loving. The fruit of the Spirit has nothing to do with any effort a believer can make.

The fruit of the Spirit is the natural result of the presence of the Holy Spirit within the believer. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” God accomplishes this through the Holy Spirit within the believer, changing their character (Philippians 1:6) and manifesting the good “fruit.”

The function of the Holy Spirit is to conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him. The Christian life is a battle between the sinful nature and the new nature that Christ has given us (II Corinthians 5:17). As fallen human beings, we are still trapped in a body that desires sinful things (Romans 7:14-25). As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us, and we have His power to overcome the works of the sinful nature (II Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13). A Christian will never achieve complete victory in the constant manifestation of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. However, one of the main purposes of the Christian life is to progressively allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more of His fruit in our lives and to overcome the sinful desires that oppose Him. The fruit of the Spirit is what God desires our lives to reflect, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible!

The fruit of the Spirit is a well-known passage from the Bible that many Christians strive to understand and put into practice. One detail that is often overlooked is that “fruit” is in the singular, not the plural, which emphasizes that these are not separate traits that believers choose at will, but a unified whole that should be present in every Christian. This fruit is the evidence of the new nature given to those who are in Christ (a direct result of being a new creation and putting off the old self).

The word "fruit" in this context refers to the results or manifestations of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. It is important to emphasize that the fruit of the Spirit is not about our own works or efforts, but about the internal transformation that the Holy Spirit accomplishes in us.

The fruit of the Spirit helps us with our problems, to have healthy relationships with others, with our family, our brothers and sisters in the congregation, and our friends; it is vital for our Christian life. God has made this fruit accessible through the Holy Spirit, meaning that when we receive the Spirit of God, then we can bear fruit; otherwise, it is not possible to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

We cannot produce spiritual fruit on our own; we cannot simply decide to be kinder or try harder to be more joyful or faithful. However, the Scriptures suggest that human beings participate in some way in creating the conditions for the growth of spiritual fruit. For the life of the vine to bear fruit in us, we must be firmly connected to it, following its way of life instead of our own.

The relevance of bearing fruit involves certain aspects to consider according to the scriptures. One of them is that Jesus Christ was clear in saying: “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:20), this being a method for it helps identify false prophets and teachers; furthermore, it reveals the reality of a person, what is in their heart. The fruit of the Holy Spirit helps us to be known as children of God.

THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:

The fact that Paul refers to the “fruit” instead of the “fruits” is significant. It means that these attributes are collectively a single product of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Unlike the gifts of the Spirit, which may vary from one believer to another, the fruit of the Spirit should be complete in every Christian. The Holy Spirit dwelling within us produces all these qualities as a cohesive whole, signifying a transformation in the heart and life of the believer.

THE NEW NATURE: THE OLD MAN VS. THE NEW MAN:

To fully understand the fruit of the Spirit, it is crucial to understand the concept of the old man versus the new man. Paul explains this contrast in Ephesians 4:22-24. The old man represents our sinful and fallen nature before coming to Christ. It is characterized by all the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

The new man, however, is the result of being born again and transformed by the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 5:17) which says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This new creation embodies the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit, not through human effort, but through the transformative work of the Spirit within. Each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit reveals a facet of the believer's new nature and how it contrasts with the old self:

THE FRUIT AS EVIDENCE OF THE NEW CREATION:

The presence of the fruit of the Spirit is a distinguishing characteristic of the new man. Galatians 5:24 adds: “But those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” This crucifixion of the old man allows the new man to live and thrive in righteousness. Transformation is not achieved by human strength, but by the Spirit who dwells within us, working to conform believers to the image of Christ.

LIVING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:

Walking in the Spirit is essential for the fruit to be manifested. Galatians 5:16 instructs: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Walking in the Spirit means daily submitting to God's guidance and allowing Him to work through us. It is a continuous process in which the believer is sanctified and grows in spiritual maturity.

The fruit of the Spirit is a singular entity, demonstrating the harmonious and complete nature of the new creation in Christ. Each attribute is interconnected, reflecting the fullness of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit. The old self is characterized by sin and the desires of the flesh, but the new self embodies the fruit of the Spirit, evidencing true new birth and spiritual transformation.

Believers are called not only to exhibit one or two of these attributes, but to embody them all as the fruit of a renewed nature in Christ. This transformation is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit, who continues to sanctify us, ensuring that the fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly evident in our lives.

THE ASPECTS OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:

1. LOVE: (Agape)

     Paul considers love to be the foundation of all the others. Love in this context refers to agape love, which is the unconditional and sacrificial love that God has for us and that we should have for others. Therefore, love consists of giving of oneself, in order to care for another person.

     This love is sacrificial and unconditional, a reflection of Christ's love for humanity. It is the foundation upon which all other attributes rest. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). The old self may love selfishly or conditionally, but the new self exhibits a love that seeks the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. Love offers forgiveness, never holds grudges for the mistakes of others, and always works to restore relationships (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

     We know that “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). “God is love,” which is why if we have the Spirit of God in our lives, we must produce love as part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

2. JOY:

     This joy does not depend on circumstances, but is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and promises. Romans 15:13 expresses it this way: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” The old self finds joy in worldly and fleeting pleasures, but the joy of the new self is lasting and is tied to a relationship with God. When we have come to know Jesus Christ and have been filled with His presence, this joy emanates in our lives as Christians. We can show the fruit of the Holy Spirit in ourselves and experience this joy despite problems, difficulties, adversities, tribulations, and conflicts, for “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus Christ wanted His joy to be in us and that our joy might be complete (John 15:11). Let us also remember that the kingdom of God is “joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

3. PEACE: The Greek word for "peace," eirene, refers to both inner peace in our hearts and peace in our relationships with others. The peace of the Spirit transcends understanding and guards the believer's heart (Philippians 4:7). It is a deep tranquility, calmness, and stillness that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty. Peace is not the absence of struggles or trials; however, inner peace can be felt in the midst of such situations. The old self seeks peace through external and temporary means, but the new self experiences an inner and eternal peace. The kingdom of God is “Peace in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

4. PATIENCE:

     Patience endures injuries, insults, and problems for a long time. It is not easily provoked. Long-suffering. This attribute allows believers to endure difficult circumstances and people with a steadfast heart. It reflects God's patience toward us (2 Peter 3:9). The old self is easily angered and impatient, while the new self shows self-control and perseverance.

5. KINDNESS:

     Kindness is a genuine care for others, manifested in words and actions. It is the quality of being kind, gentle, tender, and mild. A disposition to be gentle, of a temperate temperament, cultured and refined in character and conduct. Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God also in Christ forgave you.” He forgave you in Christ.” It is the desire to treat everyone with kindness, just as the Lord did. The old self may be harsh and self-centered, but the new self reflects the gentleness of Christ.

6. GOODNESS:

     This quality is the moral integrity and virtue that comes from a heart transformed by God. It is the state or quality of being good, specifically virtue, excellence, kindness, generosity, and benevolence. Moral and spiritual excellence that manifests itself in taking the initiative to perform acts of kindness. The old self may appear good on the outside, but is corrupt on the inside. The new self, however, practices goodness from a heart that has been purified by the Spirit.

7. FAITH:

     In the New Testament, the Greek word pistis refers to “trust” or “faithfulness” (Romans 3:3). Faith and faithfulness are two sides of the same coin, encompassing ideas such as loyalty, reliability, trust, and commitment. Having faith doesn't simply mean believing or agreeing with statements about God (James 2:19). Faith is active and requires dependence on God, a trust so profound that it leads us to walk in His ways.

     When we receive the Spirit of God and learn to depend on His way of life above our own fluctuating passions, we also become more trustworthy and faithful. The old self is often unreliable and easily swayed by circumstances, but the new self is faithful in both small and great things.

8. GENTLENESS:

     Gentleness is not weakness, but controlled strength. It is the ability to respond with humility and grace, even in the face of provocation. It is the willingness to be gentle, kind, well-balanced in temperament and passions, patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge. It submits patiently despite offense, without any desire for vengeance or retribution. In the New Testament, it is used to describe three attitudes: submission to God's will (Colossians 3:12), willingness to be taught (James 1:21), and consideration for others (Ephesians 4:2). Jesus described Himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). The old self may react harshly or proudly, but the new self displays gentleness.

9. SELF-CONTROL:

     Athletes demonstrate self-control by avoiding pleasurable things that would harm their bodies. Although they may crave the satisfaction that certain foods provide, they discipline themselves to eat vegetables and lean protein. They may want to relax, but they push themselves to train intensely. By exercising control over their bodies, instead of allowing their desires to control them, they prepare themselves to compete successfully. Paul encourages the church... to apply that same kind of self-discipline in following God's ways (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

     Seeking the satisfaction of our own desires often seems like the best path to freedom. But without self-control, we end up being controlled by those ever-changing desires. Jesus and the New Testament writers consider the good life to be found in living with love for God and neighbor in every situation. Although it may seem contradictory, exercising self-control gives us true freedom.

     The old self follows the passions of the flesh, but the new self, empowered by the Spirit, exercises control over its thoughts and actions.

AGAINST THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THERE IS NO LAW:

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is pleasing to our God. They are also good for others and for ourselves. And against such things there is no law. With this, Paul tells us that it is not through the law or legalism, because the fruit of the Spirit depends solely on remaining in Christ.

WALKING ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT:

God created us in his image and likeness, and from the beginning he has taught us to reflect his divine character. We do this by bearing good spiritual fruit, doing what is right in God's eyes and caring for his creation and all the beings that inhabit it. When we serve ourselves and do what seems right to us, we reflect a distorted image of God. For God is not selfish at all; God is pure love, always working for the good of others.

As human beings, we cannot lose the image of God, but we often end up distorting it, allowing God's spiritual fruit to wither and die. Mistakenly, we trade the good life for something as worthless as a rotten apple.

But the biblical authors invite us to trust that when we live in the way of Jesus, we also participate in the work of the Spirit. God renews his own image in us (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Thus, walking according to the Spirit creates the necessary conditions for God to cultivate in us the spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—the invaluable fruit that brings healing and life to all.