Fruits of the Spirit

 

Friends, today I want to talk more about the wisdom that St. Paul has to offer us on the teachings inspired by Jesus. Paul writes in his letter to Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” In our journey of faith, these virtues serve as a compass, guiding us to our true north in a life that reflects the love and grace bestowed upon us by our Lord Jesus. 

Embracing the fruits of the Spirit in our daily lives offers a transformative path to becoming better people of faith. I implore you to start each day in prayer, seeking out Christ’s guidance to cultivate love, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 16:14 “Do everything in love.” By approaching our interactions for the day with love, we create an environment where the other fruits can flourish. Channeling the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39, He declares, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself. From love springs joy, and as Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” This joy is not dependent on circumstances but deeply rooted in our connection with God. 

Peace, as mentioned in Galatians, finds its roots in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they truly trust in you.” Trust in God cultivates a peace that surpasses understanding. We should all take a page out of Proverbs and seek peace in our relationships and circumstances. Proverbs 16:7 tells us, “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” Trusting in God’s plan allows us to maintain inner peace, even in the face of challenges.

Forbearance, goodness, faithfulness, and kindness are intricately woven together. Reflecting Christ’s example in Ephesians 4:2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Our life in faith involves extending kindness and patience to others. In the inevitable moments of challenges, we all face, I like to remember the call to patience and forbearance. James 5:11 encourages us with the example of Job’s perseverance, reminding us of the reward that awaits those who endure difficulties with steadfast faith. Goodness and faithfulness are found again in the words of Psalm 25:10, “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.”

As we seek God’s goodness, we find strength in remaining faithful to his covenant. One of the key components of the fruits of the Spirit is to practice kindness and goodness consistently, and we can do so by focusing on the principle found in Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” By extending grace to others, we embody the goodness that flows from a transformed heart of faith. Remain faithful in your commitments and relationships, recognizing that faithfulness is reciprocal. As one of my favorite passages in the good book, Proverbs 3:3-4 advises, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”

We’re advised to approach challenges with gentleness. Colossians 3:12 reminds us, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Gentleness fosters understanding and promotes unity, something lacking in today’s realm of harsh times and even harsher tones. Gentleness, as highlighted in the Scriptures, echoes Jesus’ own words in Matthew 11;29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 

We are encouraged to pursue joy with an understanding that it reflects our relationship with God. In Philippians 4:4, Paul is urging us to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Usually, I would say that you don’t have to tell me twice, but in this instance I’m all for it. Let us grow joy by focusing on gratitude and the blessings that surround us.  The final key component is to exercise self-control in all aspects of life. This is perhaps, the hardest of all Spiritual fruits. It is so easy for us to be impulsive; anyone else grab a soda and candy bar in the check-out lane? Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” By maintaining discipline, we exhibit the power of the Holy Spirit.

Incorporating these virtues into our daily lives helps us radiate the fruits of the Spirit, becoming living testimonies of God’s holy grace. It is my prayer that we’re able to embody these qualities, and not only strengthen our own faith, but also create an environment where others are drawn to become disciples of Christ’s everlasting love.