The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever picked apples? – Rita and Bryan have apple trees in their yard and have had to pick apples on a regular basis now for a few weeks.
What about strawberries? – Not too long ago, Huber’s farm near Starlight [Indiana] had been advertising that the strawberries were ready and ripe for pickin’.
When I was a young boy, I would go to a place off of Brown-Austin Road in Fairdale [Louisville, KY] and pick a basket full of blackberries. I would take these blackberries home to my mother and she would always give me fifty cents for them and she would then make a blackberry cobbler for supper. (To this day blackberry cobbler is one of my favorite desserts.)
Now the similarity of these different kinds of fruit is that they came from their own source. The apple came from the apple tree, the strawberry came from the strawberry plant, and the blackberry came from the blackberry bush. This is of no surprise to any one.
This very principle was alluded to by Christ when he was warning His disciples against false prophets.
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but every bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Fruit
Gk. karpos (# 2590) - Means:
[1] Used of the fruit of trees, fields, the earth, that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism.
[2] Used metaphorically of works or deeds, “fruit” being the visible expression or power working inwardly and invisibly, the character of the “fruit” being evidence of the character of the power producing it, Matt. 7:16.
[Vine’s Expository Dict. of Old and New Testament Words, 1996 ed., 256.]
This definition refers to fruit as being the evidence of something from within. This is true whether the fruit is a natural by-product of plants or an inward work of the heart evidenced through outward actions. James told us that when we have faith – our faith will be evidenced by outward works (James 2:14-26) - Fruit of the inward dwelling of God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-16). – “For the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God.” If we bear fruit we are of Christ – for the branch cannot bear fruit of itself (John 15:1a, 4-5).
The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4: 30) and because of that we are admonished to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16 & 25) – to be filled with the Spirit as one is drunk with wine (Eph. 5:18) – and to yield ourselves to the Spirit’s leadership (Rom. 8:14), as He guides us into all truth convicting of sin and righteousness while testifying of Christ (John 16:7-15).
If you are a child of God you are going to bear forth fruit of the Spirit. Therefore it behooves us to understand what the fruit of the Spirit is composed of, so that we may know that we are not following a false spirit (1 John 4:1), for Jesus said, “Not everyone who says unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 7:21-23).
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Note: the word “fruit” is singular – suggesting the unity of the character of the Lord in His producing the different elements.
Love – (a ga pe) – is used to (a) to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, the human race (generally), and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (particularly), (b) to convey His will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another and toward all men, (c) to express the essential nature of God (Vine).
Note: So often Christians refer to this love as an unconditional love.
Joy – (cha ra) – joy or delight, (root word means cheerfulness, calm delight, great gladness (Vine). Amplified Bible translates this as “gladness.”
Peace – (ei re ne) – a harmonious relationship between men, between nations, friendliness, freedom from molestation, and the sense of rest and contentment (Vine). Vincent’s Word Studies – mutual peace, rather than peace w/God.
Patience – (ma kro thu mi a) – forbearance, patience, long suffering (macros = long & thumos = temper) this word is usually rendered long suffering. The Amplified Bible has: patience (meaning an even temper, forbearance).
Kindness – (chre sto tes) – usually translated kindness, is used of the “goodness of heart, kindness” (Vine). Vincent has: a kindness which means it is useful or serviceable.
Goodness – (a ga tho su ne) – “goodness,” signifies that moral quality which is described by the adjective, “agathos” = good in character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect. (A kindly activity on one’s behalf.)
Faithfulness – (pis tis) – primarily means firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing. Vincent – trustfulness; A.T. Robertson – faithfulness; Amp. Bible - faithfulness.
Gentleness – (prau tes) – denotes meekness (Vine). Vincent – primary meaning is mild, gentle [from notes on Matthew 5:5). Amp. Bible – meekness, humility, gentleness.
Self Control – (eg kra tei a) – temperance, (from katos = strength), self control is the best rendering. Controlling one’s own self! Does not fly off the handle
CONCLUSION
Do you have this fruit and all of its attributes manifested as evidence in you life”? If so you stand as one not-condemned – Against such there is no law -
Law – (no mos) - that which is assigned; hence usage, custom, and then law (Vine) – usually translated law or principle (Mounce).
However, if these attributes of the Spirit’s fruit are not found in your manner of life – you stand as one guilty of the whole law –
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23
The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So then what hinders you today from taking this free gift? If you have seen yourself as being undone before God because of your sinful condition – I urge you to run to Jesus Christ, hide yourself in Him and plead for mercy from God because of what Jesus has done at Calvary. God has promised that all who believe in Christ will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Believe my friend – believe in Christ today – in order that His Spirit may bring forth fruit in you.
Bruce Allen
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
October 5, 2003
