Fruit of the Spirit: Let's Examine Fruit

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

1. What fruit are you focusing on this fruit this week?

Instead of focusing on one of the fruits today I’m studying the word “fruit.” (it’s in keeping with our homeschool study this morning–I will share our homeschool study later today).

2. How does the Bible define fruit?

According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Fruit is a word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into three classes:,

(1.) The fruit of the field, “corn-fruit” (Heb. dagan; all kinds of grain and pulse.)

(2.) The fruit of the vine, “vintage-fruit” (Heb. tirosh; grapes, whether moist or dried.)

(3.) “Orchard-fruits” (Heb.yitshar, as dates, figs, citrons, etc.)

Injunctions concerning offerings and tithes were expressed by these Hebrew terms. This word “fruit” is also used of children or offspring also.

It is used metaphorically in a variety of forms. The fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph. 5:9; James 3:17, 18) are those gracious dispositions and habits which the Spirit produces in those in whom he dwells and works. 1 ^{<!–[if !supportFootnotes]–><!–[endif]–>}

3. How does God reveal fruit to us?

God loves us with a prefect agape love. He shows us unmerited love by sending his son as suffering redeemer. He continues to show us His love by sealing us with His Holy Spirit.

In Christian theology pneumatology refers to the study of the Holy Spirit. God seals us with His Holy Spirit(2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30). Second Corinthians 1:22 says God “sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” God places His Spirit in us because He loves us. David prayed, “Do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me,”

At Pentecost the indwelling of the Spirit was given: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be  in you. John 14:16-17

4. What is the evidence of fruit in one’s life?

Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:16-17)

Galatians 5:22–24 says the result of being filled with the Spirit will be to produce the fruit of the Spirit. By default, we walk according to the flesh (Gal. 5:19–21); the filling of the Spirit produces “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” directly as a result of abiding in God. We will show dedication to God and nonconformity to the world (Rom. 12:1–2).

5. Share an example of the presence of this fruit in someone’s life.

I bet you have never heard of this lady. I cannot not find one word about her on the Internet, so let me introduce you to this awe-inspiring woman with the words from one of my favorite authors, Phillip Keller:

She was brave, she was beautiful!

Beautiful not only in bodily form, but also in serenity of soul, in shining of spirit.

My earliest recollections of her were of a wondrous woman of warmth, vitality, and overflowing good cheer. Despite the depravity and degradation of the pagan tribespeople among whom she lived and worked with such goodwill, there emanated from her an enormous enthusiasm for life.

Her hearty laughter rippled from the depths of her magnificent bosom like clear water bubbling up from a splendid mountain spring. It ran merrily around all who knew and loved her.

From her large luminous brown eyes she pulsed a living light that somehow spoke of sublime inner serenity—a serenity that finds its strength and stability in an intimate acquaintance with God. She knew Him, she trusted Him, enjoyed Him, walked with Him as few humans ever do.

There was nothing pompous or pretentious about her.

She was too dynamic, too full of fun, too totally feminine to indulge in pretense.

Her complexion was almost flawless. Despite the dryness of the African sun; despite the lack of cosmetics available to most women; despite the ravages of tropical disease—her face glowed with a radiance of remarkable joy. Her ready smile; her happy humor, her vibrant voice had won her the admiration of others who often called her “Sister Sunshine.”

Yet her humble home was a typical African frontier house built of crooked, hand-cut poles, plastered with mud, coated with cow dung to repel insects, and thatched with grass.

For her, life was an adventure with God. He and she were constant companions in an unfolding drama of divine design. Nothing that happened to her in her adventuresome and exciting career was ever an accident. Of this she was sure.

It mattered not whether she was planting cuttings of Golden Shower in her garden, or cleaning the ugly ulcer of a fly-ridden African, she could do it with commingled courage, faith and élan.

She would tackle any task with a contagious confidence that carried her through to success. She would shake her head in glee, allowing the long black locks of her lovely hair to shimmer around her in waves. “There is no such word as can’t,” she would chuckle, “Let’s just do it!” And she did.

Her tiny well formed hands and feet were immensely strong. They accomplished more work in her thirty years of life than most women do in seventy. A certain intense determination to succeed and succeed with distinction marked her movements.

She was sturdy, energetic, dynamic, and yet exquisitely dainty. There was a dimension of charming, captivating femininity that seldom surfaces in many of today’s mannish women. She knew she was all woman, she gloried in her charms as a special creation of loveliness. Yet she never paraded her personality in pride or vanity.

A certain wondrous wholesomeness marked her life and conduct. She was born to be brave. She was bound to be beautiful. Life was for living. With joy and gracious generosity she was glad to give and give and give of herself to enrich others.

She was my mother.

6. How does fruit or lack of it in our life affect others? (spouse, children, friends)

When we lack fruit we are walking in the flesh and the opposite of the woman described above. Pride and selfishness rule. Romans 7:25 he says, “I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

7. What can you do to express more of this fruit in your character?

Reading about people like Keller’s mother is powerful for me. I want my children to think of me in a similar way—I want them to say as so many said of my grandmother, “She never said an unkind word.” I purpose to read more missionary stories to my children because they are encouraging and motivating for all of us. And, of course, as with all the fruits of the Spirit, growing spiritually in prayer and Bible study will produce more fruit in our lives.

Footnotes

1. Easton, M. (1996, c1897). Easton‘s Bible dictionary.

2 Keller, W. Phillip, Wonder O’ the Wind

Learn more about the Fruit of the Spirit Friday meme here. Answer the seven prompts on the fruit of your choice or write anything you fell lead to on this topic then post your link to your URL below to share with others.

Dont miss this post: Are You Prepared for Self Control? (Have You Ever Had One of Those Days?)