Fruit of the Spirit – Can Others See God Through You?

The Fruit of the Spirit of God

 Ephesians 5:8-14 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of light; 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 And try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by the disobedient in secret.

13 But all things that are exposed by the light become visible: for everything that is made visible is light. 14 Therefore he says, Awaken, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. (RKJNT)

Main thought:

Do you know the value of the fruit of the Spirit? They show the divine nature of the Spirit of God. Through these nine characteristics, people see God through us. Jesus defined the born again believers as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. So, we are to show the world what is right. Child of light hold your head up. Let go of the darkness of your past. Live in the Light.

Key Points:

1. The fruit of the Spirit is in all that we do that is good, right and true. Our lives should model what pleases God. Ephesians 5:9-10 Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. 10 Try to learn what pleases the Lord. (NCV)
2. You are the light of the world – Matthew 5:14 and 16 It is you who are the light of the world. A town that stands on a hill cannot be hidden. 16 Let your light so shine before the eyes of others so that, seeing your good actions, they will praise your Father who is in heaven. (OEB) [read Matthew 5:14; John 8:12; Ephesians 5:6-17 (key verse: 8); Philippians 2:14-16 (Key verse: 15)]
3. The fruit of the Spirit shows our new life. Jesus set you free from sin. Live your new life pleasing God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. (WEB) [read 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 (key verse: 17 and 20-21)]

Fruit of the Spirit

Godly Characteristics

“Fruit of the Spirit – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – from Galatians 5:22-23”

Galatians 5:22-26 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (NLT)

Made known by the way we live

The Fruit of the Spirit is shown in outward actions. The Spirit makes itself known by works through us. These assets (Godly characteristics) help others to see God through the lives we live. They are visible displays of our new life.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 …Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. (The Message)

Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice, a sweet smelling aroma to God. (RKJNT)

New life in Christ

The old sinful you is dead. Those sins were nailed to the cross with Christ. Paul said, “I have been put to death on the cross with Christ…” [Galatians 2:20 (BBE)]. Your earthly nature also died on that cross. Let the fruit of the Spirit flow from you.

Colossians 3:1-9 You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. 3 You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4 Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory. 5 Don’t be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. Don’t be immoral or indecent or have evil thoughts. Don’t be greedy, which is the same as worshiping idols.

6 God is angry with people who disobey him by doing these things. 7 And that is exactly what you did, when you lived among people who behaved in this way. 8 But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. 9 And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits. (CEV)

The harmony of the Fruit of the Spirit

The nine fruit of the Spirit work in harmony. They are of no value if we fail to use them. Knowing you have them is needed. Learning how to use them is vital. Very much like having a smart phone is nice. Knowing how to use it is helpful.

Colossians 3:12-14 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others; be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Do not be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, then forgive him. Forgive each other because the Lord forgave you. 14 Do all these things; but most important, love each other. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity. (ICB)

Links to the Bible studies

Love – This is agapē love. The perfect / genuine love God has for His people. God is the source of this love. God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). [Read 1 John 4:7-19]

Joy – from the Greek word chará. A divine joy that is beyond words (1 Peter 1:8). The gladness no one can take from you. [See John 16:22]

Peace – from the Greek word eirene. The peace the world cannot give. (John 14:27) Often used in the phrase, God of peace. [read Romans 15:33; 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20]

Patience – from the Greek word makrothumia. Patience is also known as long-suffering. To endure all things without anger or complaint. The ability to wait and not act or react. Showing love to others in spite of their faults (Ephesians 4:2). Love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Kindness – from the Greek word chrestotes. Kindness is also known as gentleness. Love that comes from God is kind. [Titus 3:1-8 (key verse: 4)] Kindness cares about the needs of others. It is tender, selfless and giving. Does not do things looking for reward. Love is kind. [1 Corinthians 13:4]

Goodness – from the Greek word agathosune. Goodness says: You can rely on me. Let me help you do what is right. I have a good outlook on life. God is the perfect good. With me in you, you can be like Him. Proverbs 11:18 Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded. (CEV)

Faithfulness – from the Greek word pistis. Belief in God without doubt. Firm faith in and dedication to God. It is a steady commitment to God. Actions based on faith in God. In 1 Timothy 6:11 Paul urged Timothy to “…pursue righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.”. I urge you to learn to be faithful to God.

Gentleness – from the Greek word praotes. Gentleness is also known as meekness. The state of being classy, but not high-minded. Caring, and not violent or harsh to others. A gentle person is friendly, neighborly and easy going.

Self-control – from the Greek word egkrateia. Self-control is also known as temperance. The use of strength-of-will over one’s actions and desires. The aim is to obey and please God in all things.

Fruit of the Spirit

Focus: Fruit

“For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;”
Ephesians 5:9

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 Gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. (RKJNT)

John 15:2-8 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine; neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

6 If a man does not abide in me, he is thrown away as a branch, and withers; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so prove to be my disciples. (RKJNT)

Karpos – fruit

Let’s focus on the word fruit as used in Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:22; John 15:2, 4, 5 and 8 karpos (kar-pos’). Jesus makes it clear that we cannot do anything without Him. In particular, we cannot ‘bring forth’ / produce this fruit if we are not united—have common or combined effort, purpose and feelings—with Him through the Spirit.

• Thayer’s 1. ‘that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result‘ a. ‘work, act, deed‘.
• Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: excerpt from article on ‘fruit’ “the singular form suggesting the unity of the character of the Lord as reproduced in them—those who are brought into living union with Christ”.

Colossians 1:5-6 and 10 Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel; 6 Which has come to you. In all the world it brings forth fruit and grows, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and understood the grace of God in truth: 10 That you might walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all things, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (RKJNT)

Fruit of the Spirit cannot be imitated

Colossians 1:6 and 10 introduce an action word karpophoreo (kar-pof-or-eh’-o) meaning making fruit in great quantities; be fertile. Notice verse 5 “the word of truth, the gospel…brings forth fruit and grows“; can we agree that from these Scriptures the unity of Christ, the Spirit and the word working in us will produce fruit. The fruit that the Spirit produces cannot be imitated, I remind you, Jesus clearly states that we cannot do anything without Him. I end this short study with 2 Corinthians 3:4-6:

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 And this is the certain faith which we have in God through Christ: 5 Not as if we were able by ourselves to do anything for which we might take the credit; but our power comes from God; 6 Who has made us able to be servants of a new agreement; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter gives death, but the Spirit gives life. (BBE)

♥ Question for Fruit of the Spirit – focus: fruit: Has the fruit of the Spirit begun to show through you?

Scriptures to read and study:

Galatians 5:16-26 (focus verses: 22-26); Matthew 7:15-23 (key verse: 16) and 12:33-37 (key verse: 33); Luke 6:43-45 (key verse: 44); Romans 6:15-23 (key verse: 22); 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (key verses: 18-20); 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 (key verse: 17 and 20-21); Ephesians 5:1-14 (key verses: 1-2 and 9); James 3:13-18 (key verse: 17); ‘Jesus is the true vine’ John 15:1-17 (focus verses: 2-8; key verses: 5 and 16); Colossians 1:3-18 (key verses: 5-6 and 10); Colossians 3:1-17 (key verses: 8-9 and 12-14); John 8:1-12 (key verse: 12); salt of earth / light of world: Matthew 5:13-16 (compare Mark 9:49-50 and Luke 14:34-35; Philippians 2:12-18 {key verses: 14-16})

Fruit of the Spirit

Conclusion

Matthew 7:15-23 Beware of false teachers — people who come to you in the guise of sheep, but at heart they are ravenous wolves. 16 By the fruit of their lives you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, too, every sound tree bears good fruit, while a worthless tree bears bad fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a worthless tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that fails to bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 So it is by the fruit of their lives that you will know such people. 21 Not everyone who says to me ‘Master! Master!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On ‘that day’ many will say to me ‘Master, Master, was not it in your name that we taught, and in your name that we drove out demons, and in your name that we did many miracles?’ 23 And then I will say to them plainly ‘I never knew you. Go from my presence, you who live in sin.’ (OEB)

Qualities of God

The fruit of the Spirit is unique. Jesus used examples of trees bearing fruit. “By the fruit of their lives you will know them“. Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A person who does not have the Holy Spirit cannot show or have true love, joy or peace. No one can fake the fruit that comes from the Spirit. These qualities in their true meanings come from God through His Spirit. I will continue to offer more on this extremely important aspect of Christian living, be blessed—♥ Tim.

The flesh may manufacture “results” that bring praise to us, but the flesh cannot bear fruit that brings glory to God. It takes patience, an atmosphere of the Spirit walking in the light the seed of the Word of God, and a sincere desire to honor Christ. – excerpt from The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament by Warren W. Wiersbe

♥ Question for “Fruit of the Spirit”: Can others see God through your life? Can they see and feel your love?

For others to know you are a child of God. Remember the words Jesus spoke, it is by the fruit of their lives that you will know such people. He did not say wear a cross, carry Bibles, speak in tongues or use religious words. Child of God, let your fruit-bearing life be your sign. – Bishop Tim