Fruit of the Spirit Explained: Love, Joy, Peace & More | Galatians 5:22-23
Memory Verse
And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, objectivity of mind, self-control. No law is against these things (Galatians 5:22–23).
The fruit of the Spirit is a single fruit with multiple characteristics. Thus, when one aspect is manifested, the others often support it. For example, when showing kindness, love is also involved, since kindness is one of its qualities (1 Corinthians 13:4).
When a Christian is filled where he lacks by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), the fruit of the Spirit is manifested in his life. Unlike in the Old Testament, where the Holy Spirit mentally controlled those He came upon, the grace believer is in a position as a son and therefore has a working relationship with the Holy Spirit. Thus, we are not to grieve or quench the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). Rather, since we live by the Spirit, we are to take each step by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
Understanding the fruit is essential, since its attributes describe the desires the Holy Spirit produces in the grace believer to live out the righteousness he now possesses in Christ. Love is seeking the best for another and is only to be displayed to other believers (John 13:34; 1 John 2:15). Joy is contentment in any situation. Peace is an unruffled mind. Long-suffering is holding out of one’s anger against unreasonable people. Kindness is a friendly disposition that puts others at ease. Goodness is doing what is beneficial. Faith is taking God at His Word. Objectivity of mind is a state of being focused on the goal. Self-control involves subduing one’s appetites in a controlled manner.
When we manifest the qualities of the fruit from the Spirit, there is no law against them. Thus, the Christian who lives by grace has no need for law since he is led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:18). This means that the desires of the flesh will be rejected, the victory in Christ we have over Satan will be utilized, and the world system will be kept in its rightful place under the fulfillment of the desirous will of God.