What is the Fruit of The Spirit and How Do I Grow it?

Author: Rohit Londhe

I think when you were studying "The Fruit of The Spirit"¸ one thing you might have noticed that Paul is not saying fruits here but fruit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

  • WHY FRUIT NOT FRUITS?
The Greek word for fruit is "karpos" means one fruit, not many, or different types of fruit. Paul is not naming different kinds of fruit that the Spirit gives, instead he is describing the different characteristics of the grace the spirit works in us. Just like a diamond has a different type of facets, one diamond but many facets. Like that it is one fruit but different characteristics.
  • CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FRUIT –
LOVE

> JOY

> PEACE

> FORBEARENCE

> KINDNESS

> GOODNESS

> FAITHFULNESS

> GENTLENESS

> SELF CONTROL

  • LOVE
Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself, love is so important in our life because we can have callings, anointing, gifts of the spirit but if we don’t have the fruit of Spirit that is love then we are nothing (1Cor 13:1-2). Jesus said love your father (God) by your whole mind, heart and soul. To make God happy and pursue him, we need love.
  • JOY
We should be joyful even in the problems, struggles, circumstances not only when we are happy or life is going as we want. Paul was rejoicing and worshipping God even in the prison. Joy comes from the above and we should ask to God and have this joy every time in our life.
  • PEACE
Jesus is the Prince of peace. People want peace, so they spend a lot of money to bring peace in their life but they can’t bring it because they don’t know actually where the peace is. However, who has Jesus in their heart they have peace but sometimes we don’t feel peace in our hearts because we get surrounded by all worries and worldly problems but Jesus said give me your burden and I will give you rest. What does it mean by "Rest", it means I will give you peace. So if we have any worries then we should take those worries at the feet of Jesus and get His peace.
  • FORBEARANCE
Forbearance means patience. Patience is important to fulfill God’s purpose. because if we don’t wait or if we take quick decisions without asking God or without the help of the Holy Spirit then we may end up with frustration and guilt. Even God has the patience for sinners to come to him (2 Peter 3:9). Our goal is to be like Jesus so we should have this patience in our life. Not only in ministry but it is very important for our daily life.
  • KINDNESS
Showing kindness and being generous is like being an example of Jesus. In Marathi language word for kindness is "MAMTA". It means showing love like a mother’s love for her children. Mother’s love has no selfishness, wrong motive towards her children, she does everything by her whole heart. So we have to have kindness without any wrong motive, wrong intention towards people. "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each another, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32)

https://www.theblessedgeneration.com/the-fruit-of-the-spirit/