Galatians 5:22, 23 - The Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22, 23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against
these things!
WORD STUDY
Describe the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit are the godly
attitudes that characterize the lives of only those
who belong to God by faith in Christ and possess
the Spirit of God. The Spirit produces fruit
which consists of 9 characteristics or attitudes
that are inextricably linked with each other and
are commanded of believers throughout the New
Testament.
Love" One of several Greek words for
love, agape, is the love of choice, referring not
to an emotional affection, physical attraction,
or a familial bond, but to respect, devotion,
and affection that leads to willing
self-sacrificial service (John 15:13; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:16,
17). Joy."A happiness based on unchanging
divine promises and eternal spiritual realities. It
is the sense of well-being experienced by one
who knows all is well between himself and the
Lord (1 Pet. 1:8). Joy is not the result of
favorable circumstances, and even occurs when those
circumstances are the most painful and severe (John
16:20-22). Joy is a gift from God, and as such,
believers are not to manufacture it but to delight in
the blessing they already possess (Rom. 14:17;
Phil. 4:4). "Peace." The inner calm that results
from confidence in one's saving relationship with
Christ. The verb form denotes binding together and
is reflected in the expression "having it all
together." Like joy, peace is not related to one's
circumstances (John 14:27; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 4:6, 7, 9).
Longsuffering." Patience which refers
to the ability to endure injuries inflicted by
others and the willingness to accept irritating or
painful situations (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Tim.
1:15, 16). "Kindness." Tender concern for others,
reflected in a desire to treat others gently, just as
the Lord treats all believers (Matt. 11:28, 29;
19:13, 14; 2 Tim. 2:24). "Goodness." Moral and
spiritual excellence manifested in active kindness
(Rom. 5:7). Believers are commanded to exemplify
goodness (6:10; 2 Thess. 1:11). Faithfulness
Loyalty and trustworthiness (Lam. 3:22; Phil. 2:7-9;
1 Thess. 5:24; Rev. 2:10).
"Gentleness." Better translated
meekness." it is a humble and gentle attitude that is
patiently submissive in every offense, while having no
desire for revenge or retribution. In the New
Testament, it is used to describe 3 attitudes:
submission to the will of God (Col. 3:12), teachability
(James 5:21), and consideration of others (Eph.
4:2). Self-control. This refers to
restraining passions and appetites (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Pet.
1:5, 6). "No law." When a Christian walks by the
Spirit and manifests His fruit, he needs no
external law to produce the attitudes and behavior
that please God (Rom. 8:4) [MacArthur Daily Bible
2003]
INTRODUCTION
The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous
work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit
produces these character traits that are found in the
nature of Christ. They are the by-products of
Christ's control--we can't obtain them by 'trying' to
get them without his help. If we want the fruit
of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our
lives to his (see John 15:4, 5). We must know him,
love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a
result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the
law--to love God and our neighbors. Which of these
qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?
[Life Application SB]
Because the God who sent the law also sent
the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled
life are in perfect harmony with the intent of
God's law. A person who exhibits the fruit of the
Spirit fulfills the law far better than a person
who observes the rituals but has little love in
his or her heart. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Spiritual Growth Requires Change
God's purpose in every change in your
life is to make you more like Jesus.
The promise of Romans 8:28 is wonderful:
We know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love God and are
called according to his purpose for them (NLT).
But it doesn't make sense until you read the
next verse: "For God knew his people in advance,
and he chose them to become like his Son"
(Romans 8:29 NLT).
God doesn't just want you in his family.
He also wants you to develop the family
characteristics of a child of God. He wants you to grow
spiritually. And your model for maturity is Jesus
Christ.
So what is Jesus like? The best picture
of Jesus character is the fruit of the
Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
(ESV).
God produces that kind of fruit in you by
putting you in situations full of the exact opposite
circumstances, where you get a chance to learn and practice
these character qualities.
You dont learn kindness when youre
around the nicest people; you dont learn
contentment when you have everything you want. So when
God teaches you how to love, he doesnt put
you around people who are easy to love; he puts
you around unlovable people.
Anybody can be happy when everything's
going their way. But God teaches you true joy in
the middle of suffering and grief and
heartbreak.
It's easy to be peaceful when there is no
struggle in your life. When God teaches you peace,
he'll allow chaos and conflict in your life to
teach you the peace that passes understanding.
How does God teach you patience? By
placing you in long line at the Department of Motor
Vehicles or at a delayed doctor appointment. Anytime
you have to wait, God is teaching you patience
to make you more like Jesus.
Change is not always easy, but the big
and small ways youre growing in spiritual
maturity will make it worth it. [Daily Devotional by
Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
It is true that there may be an outward
correctness of deportment without the renewing power of
Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the
esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life.
Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil.
A selfish heart may perform generous actions.
By what means, then, shall we determine whose
side we are on?
Who has the heart? With whom are our
thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our
warmest affections and our best energies? If we are
Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest
thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is
consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe
His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all
things.
Those who become new creatures in Christ
Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,
"love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Galatians
5:22, 23. They will no longer fashion themselves
according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the
Son of God they will follow in His steps,
reflect His character, and purify themselves even as
He is pure. The things they once hated they now
love, and the things they once loved they hate.
The proud and self-assertive become meek and
lowly in heart. The vain and supercilious become
serious and unobtrusive. The drunken become sober,
and the profligate pure. The vain customs and
fashions of the world are laid aside. Christians will
seek not the "outward adorning," but "the hidden
man of the heart, in that which is not
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit." 1 Peter 3: 3, 4. SC58,9
There can be no growth or fruitfulness in
the life that is centered in self. If you have
accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to
forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of
the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do
every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden
of souls upon your heart, and by every means in
your power seek to save the lost. As you receive
the Spirit of Christ--the Spirit of unselfish
love and labor for others--you will grow and
bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will
ripen in your character. Your faith will increase,
your convictions deepen, your love be made
perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness
of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and
lovely. COL67-9
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Galatians 5:22, 23: The Fruit of the Spirit.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190820-1120.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190929-1013.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200420-0835.html
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220628-0910.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
