As children of God, we are called to live godly lives. We can start by looking at the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because it is a reflection of the character of God and an example of how we should live.
No matter what a person says or does, Jesus said, ”You will know them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-20) Meaning, that you will know who is a real or fake, a false prophet or a real prophet, disciple or non-disciple.
What is this fruit? Nine characteristics of God. I will be going over each one followed by a life application prompt. We must know what the fruit is, but applying it to our lives is what we are called to do. That is how we be fruitful and multiply. (See John 15 The Vine and the Branches).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
God is Loving
”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17
Life Application: ‘’For God so loved the world.’’ It is not saying, He only loved the Jews or only loved the righteous. No, Jesus came for us all. The sinners, the lost, the blind, the lame. God the Father sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for you and me. How can we apply this scripture, this truth to our life? By loving those around us. Not only loving those who love us. Not only those in our circle. Not only those who go to church. We know what Jesus has done for us. We can share that with others who don’t know. We can choose to love them to Christ.
God is Joyful
”Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
Life Application: Joy is not based on circumstances. Despite your situations and what is happening around you, lean on God for strength by being in the Word and applying His promises to your life. His strength will make your joy complete. When those days get hard and you go through trials and suffering, you will still be able to put a smile on your face knowing that you don’t have to carry the weight. Jesus said, ‘’Come to me and I will give you rest.’’ Remember, heavy weight weighs a person down. But joy lifts them up.
God is Peaceable
“Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
Life Application: This world is noisy. Bad news on every TV news channel, people’s opinions on your life, and evil thoughts running rampant in the mind. Health diagnoses, kid’s misbehavior, and inflation rates. Marriage problems, fertility problems, money problems. And yet Jesus has said, ”Peace I leave you; my peace I give you.” How to receive that peace? By accepting Jesus and trusting that He will calm your storms, provide for your needs, mend your broken marriage, take hold of your child, open your womb, deliver you from evil, and heal your body.
Nothing in creation can give you the peace that Jesus provides. People around you may wonder why you have so much peace when the world around you is chaotic? They may wonder why do you have peace while facing a storm? There’s a chance to tell them about a man. A man named Jesus.
God is Patient
”The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Life Application: This is a hard one, but we can simply be patient with others just as God has been patient with us. I remember going to God one day wanting to give up on someone. It seemed the more I prayed, the worse they were getting. I heard God speak and say, ”Love them right where they are and continue to pray for them.” He wanted me to be patient because He knew the spiritual side that I didn’t know.
Also, be patient with God because He knows what’s best for us at the right time. We tend to rush God based on society’s timelines but remember that His ways are higher than ours. Be patient and wait well.
God is Kind
”But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” – Titus 3:4-5a
Life Application: God wasn’t kind because we deserved it. He was and still is kind because that is who He is. I know that many of us have dealt with someone who wasn’t very kind. They may have said hurtful things, did things that tried to hurt us, or looked down on us. Maybe we too have been that way to someone else, yet God showed mercy out of His kindness.
We can choose to be kind to those that love us and those that don’t. We can choose to wake up and say a kind word to someone or do a kind deed. This world could always use a little bit more kindness. Ask God for opportunities and also ask Him for strength that you’ll need to be kind to unkind people.
God is Good
”You Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” – Psalm 86:5
Life Application: When we follow Jesus and abide in Him, His goodness flows through us. We start walking in His goodness towards us. We start speaking good, uplifting, and encouraging words. Start looking and asking God, ”How can we be a blessing to others”. After all, God doesn’t bless us so we can keep it all for ourselves. He blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.
God is Faithful
”Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13: 8
Life Application: Keep your word. Remain faithful to Him. Remain faithful to your calling. Don’t divide your loyalty between the world and God. The flesh is weak, but the Spirit is willing. There are times when we tend to fall. There are times when we lose our fire. But in those times, let us remember the faithfulness of God, repent, and follow His example.
God is Gentle
”He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” – Isaiah 40:11
Life Application: We are not called to be harsh, conceited, or legalistic. That is not how we be fruitful and multiply. Being gentle in our teaching, leading, and shepherding are ways to bring someone to Christ by showing them the gentleness of God.
Sometimes, this is part of the fruit where many Christians tend to get it wrong. We run out of patience, think we’re holier than others based on how much theology we know, and if others are not going by the rules of the same religion, many Christians judge them and deem them unworthy.
Let’s not forget when one of our own brothers or sisters in Christ falls. Many people rush to gossip about them instead of praying for them. But the word of God says, ”Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ” – Galatians 6:1-2
God Has Self-Control
”For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Life Application: I see self-control as the foundation for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. Why? Because self-control is the ability to control oneself, particularly one’s emotions, behavior, and desires. It is the ability to have self-discipline. Oxford Dictionaries. The first thing you need to do is ask the Holy Spirit for help. You cannot have godly discipline without God’s help.
Ask for help to set time aside daily to read the Bible. Help with loving those who are hard to love. Help to express gratitude even for the smallest things in your life. Help to seek peace from Jesus when you’re going through many trials. Ask God to help you have patience with people and even yourself when you are praying and waiting.
Recognize the kindness of God and seek to show kindness to others. At the start of each day, ask God for opportunities to be good to someone during the day. Ask for help showing up for God even when you don’t feel like showing up. Before speaking to a non-believer who may be trying to debate or question you regarding Jesus Christ, ask the Spirit to help you be gentle.
Remember, we are called to display the character of God. Therefore we need to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we grow in Christ, the fruit will grow in us and produce more fruit by bringing others to the Source, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Monique ST.
The more you spend intimate time with Jesus, the more God’s character will reflect through you. Click here to read my blog titled, Intimacy With Jesus.
Leave a Reply