The Fruit of the Spirit

Just as a tree yields fruit, the Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit in the life of a believer. The very person of Christ and His character is reflected in our lives through the fruit of the Spirit. As we confess our sins and ask God to fill us with His Spirit, His fruit begins to be evident in our lives. Without the indwelling of the Spirit of God, these attributes cannot exist in their spiritual form.

The love of Christ is the first fruit of the Spirit. It is sacrificial and selfless in caring for others. Joy is choosing to remain in God’s presence and mirror His joyfulness no matter what the circumstances. The fruit of peace is our hearts being completely surrendered to our Lord’s control and not resisting His authority. Patience is waiting on God to move, even in hard times. Showing the tenderness of Christ’s love to all people is the fruit of kindness.

Goodness is the presence of the Holy Spirit being reflected in everything we do and say. True faithfulness is God’s faith in us that strengthens us to be loyal to our Lord and others. The fruit of gentleness is softness and a strength that empowers us to treat others the way God treats us. Self-control is produced in us by the Holy Spirit, giving us power to resist evil and do what is right. Jesus possessed these fruit and He desires to grow them abundantly in our lives.

Right now, as you begin this day, yield yourself completely to His Holy Spirit, that His fruit may flow abundantly through you.

This is my prayer, to You, O Lord: Have thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting yielded and still. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me![i]

[i] Adelaide Pollard, “Have Thine Own Way,” 1907.