The Fruit of God’s Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 |p1
Mar 28, 2025 | by Teacher Michael Carter
The Fruit of the Spirit affect our lives in several distinct ways.
If we desire to grow and be more like Jesus we must grow in the character of God or what the bible calls the fruit of the Spirit. They were deposited in our recreated spirits the moment we were born again. God would not have given us anything else, other than His life and character. However, they were deposited in seed form. Therefore, we have to grow and mature in them. We grow in them by understanding them and applying them to our situations and lives. And we grow in them as we grow in our relationship with God.
The Fruit of God’s Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
It is significant that the apostle distinguishes between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Works are produced by human energy and natural abilities. Whereas fruit are grown as an extension of a branch that abides and grows through the power and nourishment of the vine. The fruit of the Spirit develop and flow in and through us as we grow in our relationship with the Lord. The more we learn about the Lord through God's word prayer and experience, the more we understand how we are to flow in the fruit of the Spirit.
We are the branches and the Lord is the true vine. John 15:1-9
As we abide in the nourishing power of His word, prayer and our relationship with Him, and yield to His Spirit, we will grow in His character and produce fruit. All of the fruit of the Spirit are connected to the Lord and His word, not this world. As we come to those challenges and intersections of life, we can yield to the Spirit of God and flow in His character opposed to flowing in the worlds ways or our flesh. It can very well be the difference in how a situation or temptation pans out in our lives. Or how that altercation or argument does not get ugly or out of hand. But it did not, and you were able to find a resolution because you flowed in the fruit of the Spirit and not your flesh.
All the fruit listed describe the character that should be exemplified of a child of God.
Although we have our personalities, we can produce Christ likeness through His character and be like our father. Ephesians 5:1
The word followers used here comes from the Greek word mim-ay-tace. It means to imitate or to mimic like a child does a parent. We do this by choosing to flow in the fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit affect our lives in several distinct ways. They are employed in our relationship with God and at other times, in our relationship with people and within ourselves. In some cases the fruit are applicable in all. So let’s look at them individually and grow in them. They will empower us to operate according to God’s character, not our flesh or the way the world does things.
This distinguishes the children of God from the world. Matthew 7:15-20. This is Christ-likeness in action.
However, we have to yield to fruit of the Spirit. Romans 6:13
The Holy Spirit is gentle; He will not force Himself on anyone. Nor will He make you do anything. This is why the bible says that the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. This text is referring to the gentleness of the Holy Spirit. Luke 3:22 Therefore, we have to retrain ourselves to not walk in the flesh, but to yield to the Spirit to flow in the fruit of the Spirit.
You’re right in the middle of that challenge, disagreement, altercation or argument.
Typically, you may flow like the world or in your flesh. But now, as a child of God, you are to pause and yield to the Holy Spirit that dwells in you that empowers you to produce God’s fruit. No, it’s not easy because challenges and people can take you to some unpleasant, yet unfruitful responses.
In many cases its a retraining from the worlds ways to God's. Thankfully, as with any behavior change, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
We have to grow in the fruit of the Spirit, by learning about them and yielding to them. This takes want to, intent and practice. Thankfully, the more we do it, the more we grow and our lives are impacted and transformed into Christ-likeness.
As a believer, we all have every fruit outlined in His word dwelling in us.
We received them when we were born again. So, please don’t ask God for something that you already have. The Holy Spirit brought them as a part of His character. They are present in their nascent stage. Therefore, they must be developed in order to produce and flow in and through us as believer. Let's look at them separately to understand them and how they flow in and through us.
Love - This love listed in this text is agapaho; the love that gives of itself unconditionally.
It gives at self's expense, caring and desiring the persons very best. It flow’s independent of its recipient, not looking to get anything in return. Not expecting anything, not even a thank you. And because there are no expectations, disappointments are minimized. This type of love expresses itself without any desired recompense. So there is no fear in this type of love. 1st John 4:18.
- This God kind of love is the love that's shed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5
- It is the kind of love that defines who we are as the children of God. 1 John 4:9-10
- It is the kind of love that sent Jesus to the cross. John 3:16 / Romans 5:8
This is the God kind of love that gives of itself independent of the other person’s ability to repay or reciprocate. If they say thank you, cool, but if they don’t, well that’s ok as well. We express this type of love because it’s God’s love flowing in and through us.
Joy - It is an outward expression of an anticipated result. Think for a moment, you're on your job and ask your coworker for something you desperately need. They say yes, I’ll give it to you after work. Your typically response is a smile and a thank you. Although you express your thanksgiving, at that moment you don't have it. Your response of thanksgiving is an expression of your anticipation of something happening later. Joy is an outward express of an anticipated result.
Look at James 1:1-3. In this text joy is related to growth and patience developed that come later, after you endure the challenge. Yes, we're rejoicing while you're in the middle of the temptation, trial or challenge. We're not rejoicing because of them, but because of the growth and patience we will experience from them. Joy is the weapon that helps to resist and overcome depression and negative thoughts. Right in the middle of it all, we're rejoicing by faith because we believe God is moving in our situation. Joy as all of the fruit is connected to God and His word. To rejoice means to rekindle and express your joy. Right in the middle of it all, rejoice because God is keeping you, developing you, and moving you through it. Amen!
- When coupled with thanksgiving joy becomes an expression of our faith. Philippians 4:6
- Joy keeps depression at bay and ministers to your heart emotionally. Proverbs 15:23
- This makes joy a tremendous strength and force in our lives. Nehemiah 8:10
This means that you can have joy based on God’s word in anticipation of Him moving in your life. It’s independent of the world or your circumstances. It’s dependent of God’s word. So, in the middle of it all, put some shouting music and rejoice. It will impact you disposition and strengthen you.
Peace - It is an inward sense of tranquility and a harmonious state of being. We should desire peace with God. Peace with God comes when we get it right with Him through repenting and forgiveness through the atonement blood of Christ. Colossians 1:20. When we repent of our sins, asking God to forgive us, He cleanse us, forgives us, enmity is removed and our relationship with Him is peacefully restored.
We also should have a peace with ourselves. This peace within is a resolution that we are in a good place with the state of our lives.
It’s a settling in our minds and heart that we are in a good place in life doing the right things with no unsettled issues. And we should strive to have peace with people. This is not easy because some don’t want it. In this case, what we desire is an inner peace and resolves that we’ve done all we know to do to resolve the issue and are no longer harboring any ill will or enmity towards them. No, they may not get an invite for dinner, but we have no issues with them. We are at peace in our hearts towards them.
- We should desire peace with all men. Romans 12:18
- This certainly includes our desiring peace with other believers. Ephesians 4:1-3
- And through God we can experience His peace in the middle of the storms of life. Isaiah 26:3
This peace is anchored in our relationship with God. Yet, it impacts our relationships and our own inner peace. The peace that God’s gives us in independent of the world, anchored in Him. We must have peace with God, desire peace with others and within ourselves.
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