Fruit of the Spirit

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 The fruit of the spirit is not talking about actual fruit. It is talking about our actions and behavior. 

Galatians 5:22-23 King James Version 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  • Love: We are to show love to everyone including our enemies.  Matthew 5:43-48 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
  • Joy: This does not mean we are happy all the time. This is talking about whether we have a good attitude about the situation.  Hebrews 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • Peace: try hard to keep the peace Romans 12:17-19 - Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,saith the Lord.”
  • Longsuffering: take a deep breathe before jumping straight to anger. Show love and kindness to those that do you wrong Ephesians 4:2- With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
  • Gentleness: be gentle; don't be so gruff about everything. Gentleness does not mean being weak. It takes a strong person to know when to back down. It is OK to smile and show emotion when something is nice, beautiful, sweet, good. It is good to say I love you to your family. 
  • Goodness: be good 
  • Faith: Keep faith in Jesus Hebrews 11:11- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  • Meekness: be humble, don't take credit for being better than you are. Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
  • Temperance: keep your head. Definition of temperance


    1: moderation in action, thought, or feeling : RESTRAINT

    2a: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions
    b: moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages

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