Fruit of the Spirit: List
with Descriptions
Have
you ever bit into a piece of fruit that was perfectly ripe and tasty? It’s a
satisfying experience and a wonderful treat for your taste buds.
In contrast,
have you ever bit into fruit that had all the appearances of being delicious,
yet it was sour, moldy, or dry? Not so good, right?
Does
your fruit of the Spirit look appetizing?
Notice it is “fruit” of the Spirit, not “fruits”.
Notice it is “fruit” of the Spirit, not “fruits”.
Our
“fruit of the spirit” is one piece
with many different characteristics. We know the fruit is:
“Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
All
believers have the fruit of Spirit available to them.
You
don’t have to ask God for love, joy, or peace…you already have it in you.
However, you may need to ask for a greater yield of your fruit on a day to day
basis. The size of the fruit is different among believers. Some people spend
time cultivating their fruit so that it’s flourishing; while others tend to
neglect their fruit and it becomes unproductive.
Our “fruit of the spirit” is one
piece with many different characteristics.
Every
so often believers need to make sure they are growing up spiritually.
Perhaps it is time for your fruit inspection. Use the following Fruit
Development Assessment (F.D.A.) to determine the condition of your spiritual
fruit. Check the fruit you need the most nourishment to grow.
Love
“Dear
children let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Is
your love unconditional? Or is your love most evident when everything goes your
way? This type of fruit keeps on loving even when it’s difficult to show
affection to others. The capacity to love grows out of the agape love from the
heavenly Father.
Joy
“For
the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Can
you have joy in the chaos? Or does your moodiness hover over everyone like a
cloud? Not that anyone should be joyful about the hard times, but rather your
joy comes from
-#1) God is with you through it, and
-#2) God uses every trial to help you
become stronger in the faith.
Peace
“Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-8).
Is
your inner person wrecked with anxiety and worry when everything falls apart?
Or can you rest in God’s peace? There is no peace for the wicked; however, for
believers it is available every time you pray and leave your concerns with God.
Forbearance
“Being
strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may
have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11).
Can
you be still and wait on God? Or are you tempted to always move ahead so you
can stay in control? Forbearance is a fruit that will grow with your experience
of being stretched in faith especially in times of trial. Forbearance is
another word for patience;
you don’t have to pray for patience…it’s there already!
Kindness
“And
the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able
to teach, not resentful” (2 Timothy 2:24).
Do
others sense your kindness in words and actions? Or are they more accustomed to
your angry response? A gentle word, a soft answer, or a helping hand—all
demonstrate the fruit of kindness in this culture of rudeness and selfishness.
Goodness
“Dear
friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is
good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).
Are
your conversations marked with genuine virtue and honor? Or is your
conversation tainted with worldly language, immoral tendencies, or gossip?
Goodness does not mean that you are perfect, but rather someone who sincerely
reflects the integrity of God within. A believer who demonstrates the fruit of
goodness has the tendency to believe the best about people.
Faithfulness
“Now
it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
Does
your reputation reflect dependability and steadfastness in the faith? Or do
people expect you to be late, undependable, or to drop off the map on a
project? Your faithfulness represents God’s Spirit dwelling within. Those who
cultivate the fruit of faithfulness are compelled to complete every good work
for His glory.
Gentleness
“Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5).
Is
your meek spirit felt around those who live or work with you? Or do they feel
that you are a hard and legalistic person to deal with? A spirit of gentleness gives
grace freely and consistently. Believers and unbelievers should feel at ease
around you because of your presence of gentleness.
Self-Control
“For
the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches
us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live
self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12)
Do
you control your appetites? Or do they control you? Believers can demonstrate
of life of self-control and discipline in a world where everyday is an
opportunity for gluttony. You have the power through the Spirit to control your
cravings.
Results
Are
you at 10%, 50% or 100% in your fruit productivity? What matters most is that
you don’t give up growing spiritual fruit. You cultivate it with the light of
Jesus, the wind from the Spirit, the bread from the Word of God, and the
fellowship of the saints.
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing
yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).
Child of God, whether
you realize it or not, people are watching your life. What
will they see?
Are you bearing much
fruit and so proving to be a disciple of Jesus? Is the power of Christ at work
within you evident?
Will they see the fruit
of the Spirit abundant and at work through you? Would they see Jesus through
you?
Will you let your life speak
of Christ?
Ask
God to show you what to do. Pray the following prayer:
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have
separated me from You. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with you.
Please forgive me. I now receive Your
Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess
that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has
provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call
on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans
10:13)
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is
the Way, the Truth,
and the Life, and no man
comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come
into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that You
have given me eternal life.
Heavenly Father, thank You
for the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in me now. I surrender my life to You.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus Name. Amen.”
Related Posts:
“Spirit Song” Maranatha
lyrics
Oh, let the Son of God enfold you
with his Spirit and
his love;
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
Oh, let him have the things that hold you,
and his Spirit, like a dove,
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
Oh, come and sing the song with gladness
as your hearts are filled with joy.
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.
Oh, give him all your tears and sadness,
give him all your years of pain,
And you'll enter into life in Jesus' name.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and
fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and
fill your lambs.
Oh, let the Son of God enfold you
with his Spirit and his love;
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
Oh, let him have the things that hold you,
and his Spirit, like a dove,
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.
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