Most of us can name the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 by heart: love, joy peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Jesus said in Matthew 7 that people are known by their fruits. Fruits are a product of how we are living our lives. If we are living holy and righteous lives, our fruits will be fresh and revitalizing. If we are living lives of unrighteousness, our fruits will be rotten and depleting. I do not know about you, but I want the "basket of my life" to be full of fresh fruit not rotten fruit.
Though I know the general definition of each attribute, I like to look it up in the Greek/Hebrew Lexicons to reestablish it in my mind. When we begin to allow God to work in our lives, our attitudes and thinking will change and we will become more fruitful. These are the things that will grow in our lives:
Love - unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another
Joy - a state of contentment, happiness and delight
Peace - freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
Longsuffering - enduring lasting offense or hardship without complaint
Gentleness - mild, pleasant (as opposed to harsh, hard, sharp, bitter)
Goodness- uprightness of heart and life
Faith- belief and trust in and loyalty to God
Meekness- the absence of any feelings of being better than others
Temperance- self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his/her sensual appetites)
Just as a tree needs the air, sunshine and rain to grow and produce its fruit, we need:
The breathe (Word of God) - "All scripture is given by inspiration (God breathed) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16)
Light of the world - Jesus said in John 12:46, "I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness".
Living water - Jesus said in John 7:38, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water".
This is how we allow Him to work in our lives: Allowing His Word to speak to us for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness. Allowing Him to shine through us so our light can shine before others that they may see our good works and glorify Him (Mt. 5:16). Allowing Him to bring life to our souls that flows like a river. ♥
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