Fruits of the Spirit

 Galations 5: ²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Have you ever wondered why the fruits of the Spirit are called fruits?


A fruit is something that is produced by a plant as a result of its biology.  Simply put, if the seed grows and the plant draws in nourishment, fruit happens.

So why are we constantly trying to achieve them?  Have you ever seen a tree struggle to bear fruit?  Or try to be a better tree to make more fruit?

The Bible states over and over that our faith is based on GRACE and not on works, yet we constantly try to become "better behaved" or be good, or to do the right things.

How often  do we try to counsel people and tell them how to feel better about themselves or that they need to forgive and more and more behavioral stuff?

Fruit is a byproduct of something.  In the case of a tree, the fruit bears witness to what the tree has been taking in.  Is it planted in good soil? Does it take in enough water?

The fruit in a person's life bears witness as well.

Matthew 7:20 (New Living Translation)

²⁰ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

 So here is the simple truth.  Quit trying to "DO" all of the right things.  If we could "do" it right, we would not have needed Jesus!  So LOOK at Jesus and see what HE thought about it all.  Everytime: look to the Father.  The WHOLE reason the Jesus even came was to re-establish the relationship between mankind and God the Father.

For those who have ears to hear it: This re-established relationship with God, the one lost in the Garden of Eden, is the soil and water in which we are to find our nourishment.  If we focus on our relationship with God and knowing Him better, PERSONALLY, then the fruits of the Spirit will happen on their own.

This relationship with God is what Jesus referred to when He said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all of these things will be added unto you."  In Matthew, the specific topic was of physical provision, but when God says "all," I suggest that you take it seriously.

This is not just a theory that I am spouting out.  This is real in my life and I have tried it both ways.

Blessing to all.