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The Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is so compelling. Everyone wants these traits, and we especially want these traits in the people we live with or work with. It is only fitting that love is at the top of the list, for love is the most important trait of all. 

This love includes love for God and love for people. It is a passionate, wholehearted, fully obedient love for God, and it is a selfless, sacrificial, and other-centered love for people.

Joy is the deep sense of well-being and inner contentment that exists no matter our circumstances. 

Peace is the soul-resting freedom from worry and fear, from guilt and shame, from envy and jealousy, from all that troubles us.

Patience means that we are not quick-tempered, easily irritated, or difficult to live with.

Kindness is the encouraging word, the helping hand, or the warm smile we offer.

Goodness is love in action. It includes generosity of spirit and always wanting to help and bless people.

Faithfulness means we are reliable, dependable, and trustworthy. Our words are true. We keep our promises. We do what we say. 

Gentleness means we are never arrogant or haughty, never harsh or abrasive, never demanding or curt. The gentle person is always patient and kind.

Self-control simply means that we have no area of our life that is out of control—not money, food, drink, sex, words, or work. There is no addiction crippling our soul.

This is the fruit of the Spirit: nine compelling traits that everyone wants and few have. No one has ever modeled these traits as Jesus did. In fact, we could put His name in the verse: Christ is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

A final thought: We cannot manufacture these traits in our lives. We cannot have them by trying hard. No, this is the fruit of the Spirit. Only the Spirit produces this Christ-like cluster of life in us. We surrender, depend upon, and obey the Spirit, and He transforms us. Slowly, steadily, and surely, the Spirit produces fruit.