Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 & 25

But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

As Christians we strive to live our lives in a manner worthy of our salvation. We want to reflect the nature of the Lord Jesus through our interactions with other. The change in our behaviour comes by a change of attitude and by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. Rev. C. I. Scofield refers to the fruits of the spirit as the nine graces:

• Love, joy, peace – character as an inward state;
• Patience, gentleness, goodness – character in expression toward man;
• Faith, meekness, temperance – character in expression toward God.

He states that this type of character becomes possible because of our union to Christ and our decision to yield our lives wholly to Him. Let us open up our heart, mind and spirit as we explore what it means to live each day in peace, with joy and patience. Displaying love in kindness and goodness towards others. Expressing our faith through gentleness and with self-control.