“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22 – 23
Me Thinketh Some Fruit Stinketh!
Roadside fruit stands in the summertime are the result of healthy trees, cared for, pruned, and sprayed by gardeners. The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) is the result of a healthy human spirit cared for by the Holy Spirit.
Does your “tree” produce rotten fruit sometimes instead? When your little brother makes you late for school, do you call him names? After school, do you devour the entire contents of the cookie jar? A short temper, a mean mouth, and a lack of self-control are NOT fruits of the Spirit.
Fruit doesn’t appear overnight. You don’t plant a skinny young tree and find ripe pears on it the next day. Fruit appears slowly. It’s true of the fruit of the Spirit too. Do we produce this fruit all by ourselves? No. Jesus says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT). Jesus living in you, through the power of the Holy Spirit, “grows” the fruit. Your part? Just hanging out on the vine!
More to Explore: Matthew 12:33
Girl Talk: How is your fruit? Is it fresh or does it reek? What one fruit do you think you need help with the most?
God Talk: “Lord, I really want to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Help me to be more like you. Amen.”
From No Boys Allowed by Kristi Holl