Fruit Of The Holy Spirit
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to the 9 characteristics or virtues that the Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23 as evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer’s life. These qualities reflect the nature of Christ and are:
- Love – Selfless, unconditional love for others.
- Joy – A deep, abiding sense of happiness and contentment, regardless of circumstances.
- Peace – Inner tranquility and harmony with God and others.
- Patience – The ability to endure hardship and delay without frustration or anger.
- Kindness – A compassionate, gentle disposition towards others.
- Goodness – Moral integrity and a desire to do what is right.
- Faithfulness – Loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness
- Gentleness – Humility and meekness, showing care and respect for others.
- Self-control – The ability to restrain one’s desires and impulses.
These qualities are not achieved through human effort alone. They are cultivated through the Holy Spirit’s influence in a disciple’s life.
Fruit Of The Holy Spirit
In this series of Bible studies we will look into each of the spiritual fruits given to believers and followers of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love. Followed by joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
These fruits of the Holy Spirit are continually on display in the life of a believer that is fully submitted and committed to Jesus. You can be a believer that is controlled by the flesh. Or a believer that is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Â
“…but be filled (completely controlled) with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Fruit Of The Holy Spirit
The Key To Christian Living & Being Filled With The Holy Spirit
One of the keys to living a fruitful and victorious, Spirit filled Christian life is total surrender and commitment to Jesus Christ. When a believer completely surrenders and commits his/her life to Jesus, Jesus is able to fill the believer with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit fills the believer with the very life that Jesus lived here on earth. The victorious and fruitful life that Jesus lived is available to all believers. If they will completely surrender and commit all they are, have, and do to Jesus. Jesus is The Source of life, via the Holy Spirit. Abundant life and eternal life.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6
In order to be filled with the Spirit, like Ephesians 5:18 tells us to be, one must completely surrender his or her all to Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit is free to come in and completely fill and control, and live out the very life of Jesus in that person’s life.
“…but be filled (completely controlled) with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
A Radically Changed Life
When a believer is filled by the Holy Spirit and the life of Jesus, that person’s life begins to be dramatically changed. As does his or her character. And the way the believer sees other people.Â
There are 2 possibilities in a believer’s life. The believer can insist on remaining in control and in charge of his or her own life. Or the believer can fully surrender and commit his or her life into Jesus’ hands. When the person chooses to try to remain in control, the sin nature will still be evident.Â
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21
The sin nature in every person is no longer in charge when a person fully submits and commits all to Jesus. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, takes over. And His nature becomes more and more evident in the believer’s life. As well as Jesus’ love, His joy, His peace, His patience…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Fruit Of The Holy Spirit
Who Sits On The Throne Of Your Life ?
Fully submitting and committing your life to Jesus is not as easy as it sounds. It is in our human nature to want to stay on the throne of our life. And be in control and in charge of our life. We want to hold onto our own dreams and plans and goals.Â
Once a person becomes a believer in Jesus, there is an inner conflict and battle for control and ownership. People naturally want to keep their rights to their own life. The sin nature does not wish be removed from power.
But being a true follower and disciple of Jesus should be all about surrender and commitment to Jesus. Jesus wants to be your Lord, and not just your Savior. He wants to be the King and sit on the throne of your life.Â
Many believers today do not really want to lose control and ownership of their life. They want the benefits and blessings of having Jesus as their Savior, but do not really want to make Jesus their Lord and King. They mistakenly think that they will lose out on so much (their plans and dreams…) if they let go and give Jesus everything. But their is so much to gain if you will fully trust in Jesus, and give Him total control.
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ” – Matthew 16:25
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ” – John 10:10
Next week we will begin to look at the fruit of the Holy Spirit one by one. These are the spiritual riches that Jesus wants to fill you and your life with.
Pursuing Intimacy With God
Pursuing Intimacy With God is committed to helping you with the most important thing in your life… your intimacy with God , your fellowship with Him, and your partnership with God in His Kingdom work & mission.
There are hundreds of Bible verses and great truths & promises in the Pursuing Intimacy With God studies.
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Book of Revelation Bible Study Series
Other Links
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Is Jesus Your First Love ? Part 2
Prayer Is Passion To Seek & Know God
God’s Purpose & Mission For You And Your Church
Spiritual Gifts: All Christians Have Gifts
Jesus Wants To Heal You & Set You Free
Salvation & The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
The Kind of Christian & Church God Wants
Kevin Bart has been a Jesus follower for over 40 years. Kevin has taught Bible study classes, small groups, and discipleship classes for many years. He developed Pursuing Intimacy With God after many years of seeking God and studying His word.
Kevin is a former business owner, and current international missions ministry leader with more than four decades of combined business and ministry experience. After building and running a successful business for 23 years, with God’s guidance and blessings, he sold his company to dedicate himself to full-time global missions.
For over 20 years, Kevin and his wife Nancy have led an international missions ministry. Utilizing learned business and financial management skills, as well as knowledge and experience in travel points and miles, to date they have had 51 mission trips to 36 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
