We are to actively cultivate the new nature and weed out the old nature. Only God can make this good fruit grow but we are to prepare the soil by keeping in touch with the Holy Spirit. It is interesting that it is fruit singular rather than fruits plural. The fruit has nine attributes. So what attributes should this fruit spout from our garden?

1. Love

It is “agape” love. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object. It is used to describe the unconditional love God has for the world and visibly demonstrated by the death of Jesus on the cross. See also 1 Corinthians 13 and 2 John 1:6. It is a sacrificial love that never fails. CS Lewis said it “knows no hunger to be filled, only generosity to give”.

2. Joy

This is much more than happiness as it is not dependant on the circumstances. It has delight in knowing God. Human based “joy” comes and goes. Spirit-given joy flourishes best in hard times. See  also 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the Lord is our strength”.

3. Peace

This peace is a tranquillity or a state of rest that comes from seeking after God. It is the opposite of chaos. It is described as “wholeness” and seeks to have all essential parts joined together as one or as a whole. This peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God no matter what the conflict. See also John 14:27 and Isaiah 48:22.

4. Patience

The word can be translated as “longsuffering” or “endurance”. It outweighs any worldly comfort. See John 14:27.  It is godly contentment in spite of our circumstances. It describes a person who has the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint. It describes the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat, (Strongs). See also Hebrews 10:36.

5. Kindness

This is related to patience and forgiveness. It is compassion that recognises that others are not perfect. It does not necessarily mean being nice, one can be kind and not nice. The definition of “nice” is “agreeable”. Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others without waiting for someone to help one back. It implies kindness no matter what. It is the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. See also Romans 11:22, Ephesians 2:7 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

6. Goodness

Those who are led by the Spirit will produce goodness. See Ephesians 5:8-9. It is an active goodness and benevolence. We should do good to all, especially other Christians. See Galatians 6:10. Jesus is the ultimate example but there are other examples:-

• Barnabas – See Acts 4 &11. He was happy to see the progress of others and was not envious. He was constantly encouraging others. He was generous with his good words and his possessions.
• Dorcas – See Acts 9:36-39.  She was constantly doing good works and deeds. Even after she was dead her goodness was still being felt.

God is a good God. Jesus was the good Shepherd and those who follow Him should have a life of goodness.

7. Faithfulness

This is a quality that is hard to find! It describes loyalty, trustworthiness, the ability to keep confidences and honesty. It is hard to find this reliability. There are many who claim it but few who can keep it. See Proverbs 20:6. Faithfulness is essential for those who would receive the crown of life. See Revelation 2:10. The Lord Jesus found it difficult to find those who were faithful. He was betrayed by a disciple and the rest abandoned Him at the cross but later restored when he had risen from the dead. These same disciples would be faithful till death as most were martyred for their faith.

8. Gentleness (Meekness)

This is when “we treat all men with perfect courtesy, that we can rebuke without rancour, that we can argue without intolerance, that we can face the truth without resentment, that we can be angry and sin not, that we can be gentle and yet not weak.”(Barclay). It is a quality seen in the lives of Moses and Jesus. It is necessary for those who are not Christians and those Christians who have fallen into sin. You could also stumble and fall. It is wise to be meek. See James 3:13-18.

9. Self-control

This has been described as “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites” (Thayer). This virtue is necessary to overcoming the “works of the flesh”. See Galatians 5:19-20. This helps the Christian to have resist temptation. The person is disciplined, modest and not carried away by passion.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit means that each Christian gets a  garden makeover. It is important to continue to “walk in the Spirit” if the garden is not going to look a mess. These are not like spiritual gifts which are given to some and not to others. Every Christian has spiritual fruit but it may not look like it is supposed to if we don’t cultivate it!

Categories: Galatians