The Fruits of the Spirit

Love seems to be the topic on everyone’s lips. There are many stories, poems, movies and songs written about love. It is what each and every heart desires. When we give love, we are sowing a seed, which germinates and eventually blossoms and returns to us fulfilled.

God’s word is love. His word never returns back to us void, which means that with every promise, he will personally see to it that it reaches back to us in its conclusion. Isaiah 55:11 NKJV says “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void. But it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Joy is not just a feeling. It is a state of mind that can be reached through serving and walking with Jesus. Joy comes to you when you know who you are in Christ. Once you know who you really are in the Kingdom of God, you simply cannot help but be joyful! Isaiah NKJV 65:14 says “Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart.”

Peace is what you get when you wholeheartedly follow Jesus trusting Him to take care of all your needs. With Jesus in charge of our daily lives, everything turns out according to His wondrous plans He has for us. Romans 5:1-2 NKJV says “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Patience is what we must have when standing on the promises of God. His word is true and faithful, and it is only going to be a matter of time before He makes your dreams come true. Isaiah 30:18 TNIV “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him!”

Kindness is what we must seek to bear witness to the everlasting love of God. Be kind to yourself and others, and live accordingly in the House of God. He will see your efforts to be true and as such reward you in your diligence. 2 Corinthians 6:6 says “By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God’s servants.”

Goodness is what you experience when you come to understand the very nature and heart of God. He will see to it that you are shown goodness and mercy for all the days of your life, once you find in yourself the true meaning of what it is to be of one mind with God’s will. Psalm 84:11 TNIV says “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honor, no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Faithfulness is what you see when you entrust your very life into the hands of God almighty. He will see you through every storm and calamity so that you shall indeed come out on top! You will have success in all you do. 2 Corinthians TNIV 9:10 says “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

Humility is what you must show one another, so that God can bestow His favour upon you. This is how He wants us to comport ourselves within the Body of Christ. 1 Peter 5:5-6 TNIV says ‘All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble and oppressed. “ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.’

Self-control comes to those who are ‘practiced’ in God’s word. It comes with the maturity in His teachings and the knowledge that we are being taken care of until the day we die. Titus 1:7-9 says “Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who lives what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Amen.

PS Galations 5:22-23 says “But the spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.” When we walk in the spirit, we can be fruitful for God, allowing Him to fulfil His great many purposes through us, in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen.

As always, all glory for these writings go to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit whom I believe have guided my hand today. Amen.