Fruit of the Spirit Defined

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  

Galatians 5:22-23

LOVE

 

Love is an emotion of deep affection, care, and concern. It involves caring for people, being friendly, sympathetic, compassionate, understanding, comforting, encouraging, and attentive.

● The believer must love God (Mark 12:30)

● Love is to be shown by the believer to all believers, and the unsaved 
    (1 Peter 1:22; Luke 6:27,32,35; Matthew 5:43-44; 19:19; John 13:34-35; 15:9,12;          17:26; 1 John 2:9-10)

● The believer's work for the Lord is to be a labor of love (I Thessalonians 1:3)
● Faith works by love (Galatians 5:6)
●  Spiritual gifts work through love (1 Corinthians 13
●  Love is the key to success of all ministry (1 Corinthians 13).

"The love that flows through your heart purifies not only your own spirit, but the love you share with others." - Caroline Myss

Love involves tact, which is an ability to get along with others and relate to them in a positive manner. It is an ability to say and do what is necessary and difficult without offending others.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 

Hebrews 10:24

 

JOY

Joy is a quality of inner gladness, delight, and jubilance.

●  It is God's desire that you have joy (John 15:11; 17:13)
● The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:52)
● The source of joy is not in worldly things. It is in God (Psalms 16:11)
● Because true joy is spiritual and not dependent on outward circumstances the believer can rejoice in temptation and trials (James 1:2; 2 Corinthians 7:4)

● The believer can be longsuffering with joy (Colossians 1:11)

Knowledge of the word sets us free to walk in obedience, and delight in doing the will of God. We find that the joy that comes from God is our strength.

 . . . for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10

 

 PEACE

Peace is a condition of quiet, calm, tranquility, and harmony. It is the absence of strife, anxiety, and concern. A believer with this quality is reliable and able to keep his head in emergencies because he can keep calm.

● God does not cause confusion. His desire is that we have His peace. Confusion is the opposite of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

● All true peace comes through Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36; Ephesians 2:14; Romans 5:1; John 14:27; 16:33)

● Believers should follow after things which result in peace (Psalms 119:165, Psalms 34:14, )

● and live in peace with others (2 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:14)

● Unity, which is necessary in any effective ministry, is kept through peace (Ephesians 4:3)

● The peace of God must rule the heart of the believer (Colossians 3:15)

As Kingdom citizens let's pursue a life that creates peace, promotes harmony and builds up our brothers and sisters; another way of letting our light shine for Jesus.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace,
and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:19

 

 LONGSUFFERING

Longsuffering is the quality of patience. It is the ability to cheerfully bear an unbearable situation and patiently endure. Longsuffering was a quality evident in the ministry of Apostle Paul:

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life,
purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2 Timothy 3:10

Longsuffering, these days, for many people can be pretty hard to develop. Namely because we live in such a fast-moving world where we can avail ourselves of incredible technology almost like at the snap of a finger. But, God says we are to be longsuffering:

● We are to be longsuffering with joyfulness (Colossians 1:11)
● The believer should preach God's Word with longsuffering (2 Timothy 4:2)
● and relate to others with this quality (Ephesians 4:2)
● He must "put on" longsuffering as a spiritual quality (Colossians 3:12)

Believers must prove ourselves by our lifestyles of purity, by our spiritual insights, by our PATIENCE, and by showing kindness, by the Spirit of holiness and by our unfeigned love for everyone.

Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 
2 Corinthians 6:3-7

 

 GENTLENESS

Gentleness is the quality of having a mild manner, not being severe, violent, or loud, of being kind. It is a quiet and respectful kindness.

We should use KINDNESS and patience when we want to persuade others; more likely than not, they will change their minds right in front of you. Gentle wisdom quells the strongest of resistance.

● The Bible warns believers not to strive but to be gentle to all men (2 Timothy 2:24)
● We are not to be brawlers. Brawlers are people who are always fighting or arguing (Titus 3:2)

● We are to be easily entreated. That means we are to be easily approached by others because of our gentle nature (James 3:17)

We should respond gently when confronted and we’ll defuse the rage of another. Responding with sharp, cutting words only makes it worse. Remember that being angry can ruin the testimony of even the wisest of men.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 
Proverbs 15:1

 A great leader, King David wrote:

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Psalms 18:35

 

GOODNESS

Goodness is acts of holiness or righteous thoughts, deeds and actions. Goodness means working for the benefit of others, not oneself; It takes the emphasis off of  'it's all about me' and allows us to show mercy, compassion and love to others.

● God fills the hungry with goodness (Psalms 107:9)
● As believers, the goodness and mercy of God follow us (Psalms 23:6)
● Believers are to take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others. (Galatians 6:10)
● When virtue is stored within, the hearts of good, upright people will produce good fruit. (Matthew 12:35)

We are to despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; 

cleave to that which is good. 

Romans 12:9

 

 FAITH

 Faith is an attitude of belief, expectation, and hope towards God 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,   Hebrews 12:1

It is believing that all God said is true and that nothing is impossible. Faith, combined with the work of the ministry, accomplishes great things for the Kingdom of God.

Faith is an attitude of confidence in God which makes followers confident and builds their faith. It is the belief that says

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Philippians 4:13

Faith is an attitude of belief, expectation, and hope towards God. Faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. [Hebrews 11:1]

● It is believing that all God said is true and that nothing is impossible. (Hebrews 12:1)

● For just as a human body without the spirit is a dead corpse, so faith without the expression of good works is dead! Faith, combined with the work of the ministry, accomplishes great things for the Kingdom of God. (James 2:26)

● Faith is an attitude of confidence in God which makes followers confident and builds their faith. It is the belief that says all things are possible with God. (Philippians 4:13)

The bible unveils a continual revelation of God’s righteousness—a perfect righteousness given to us when we believe. And it moves us from receiving life through faith, to the power of living by faith.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 1:17

 

MEEKNESS

 

Meekness is controlled strength. Meekness reflects a spirit of gentleness and humility, which are crucial traits when interacting with others and reacting to life’s challenges. It is an attitude that stems from a heart that is free from selfish passions and desires which, in turn, creates a disposition of patience and composure, even in the face of unjust treatment or provocation. God honors meekness as it demonstrates a level of spiritual maturity; reflecting not only Jesus but the Kingdom of God.

Meekness is controlled strength. Meekness reflects a spirit of gentleness and humility, which are crucial traits when interacting with others and reacting to life’s challenges. It is an attitude that stems from a heart that is free from selfish passions and desires which, in turn, creates a disposition of patience and composure, even in the face of unjust treatment or provocation. God honors meekness as it demonstrates a level of spiritual maturity; reflecting not only Jesus but the Kingdom of God.

● Disciplining of others should be done in meekness (Galatians 6:1)
● Helps the believer keep unity in the church (Ephesians 4:1-3)
● It should be used in dealing with all men (Titus 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24-25)
● A wise man is a meek man (James 3:13).
● All believers are encouraged to seek this quality (Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; Zephaniah 2:3)

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?
let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:13

 TEMPERANCE

Temperance is moderation in emotions, thought, and actions. It is self-control.

The world offers us much —the gratification of our flesh, the allurement of the things of the world, and the obsession with status and importance —none of these things come from the Father but from the world. God's word demonstrates to us the necessity of self-control, patience, moderation and more often than not abstinence so that believers exercise control and not get caught up to the detriment of our soul.

● Temperance is mastery in all things (1 Corinthians 9:27 and 9:19- 27)
● We are to add temperance to our lives (2 Peter 1:6)
● It’s better to be known as one who is patient and slow to anger.
(Proverbs 16:32)
● Don’t live in the excesses of drunkenness or gluttony, or waste your life away by partying all the time (Proverbs 23:20-21)
● Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:16

In addition to spiritual fruit, the Bible identifies specific qualifications for spiritual leaders. These are found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The following qualifications are those listed for pastors, bishops, elders, or deacons. 

Although these qualifications are identified for specific offices, they are desirable for all believers: 

●     above reproach, 

●    a good reputation, 

●    moral, disciplined, and 

●    not be in violation of God's Word: 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6, 7