What Jesus Said About God the Holy SpiritSample

The fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit's presence in the life of a Christian. One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian's life is to change that life. The fruit of the Spirit reflects the character of Christ and the result of being clothed with him.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is in direct contrast with the acts of the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21, The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. As I did before, I warn you that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. This passage describes all people, to varying degrees, when they do not know Christ and, therefore, are not under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian life is a battle of the sinful flesh against the new nature given by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). As fallen human beings, we still have a body and soul that desires sinful things (Romans 7:14-25). As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit in us that produces spiritual fruit and gives us the power to conquer the desires of the sinful nature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13).

Obedience: Spend time in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to show you to what extent the fruit of the Holy Spirit is visible in your daily walk with God.