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

 

It's time to get fruity!

 

BUT… This passage starts with a word that indicates that the next few words will be in contrast to the last few words. If you read the previous 3 verses, you’ll find a list that is quite different from this one. We won’t expound on that list, BUT we need to be aware it’s there. Paul is reminding the Galatians that although they are free in Christ and no longer under the law, there are still ways of the flesh that will continue to call. This new-found freedom was not a license to act in the flesh, but to now act in the Spirit.

 

In verses 22 and 23, we read about what is commonly known as “the Fruit of the Spirit.” Notice it is not “fruits.” These are not individual fruits that we can choose from. The Fruit is… the whole list!! It’s a very unique tree whose fruit is like a variety pack of fruit snacks. When you open the ONE envelope, you get ALL the flavors ☺

 

Over the next 9 blogs, we’ll look at the different sections of the fruit, but today let’s look at two things we need to make sure we understand about the fruit, itself.

 

• It’s the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit.

  • We don’t manufacture our own – a tree doesn’t think about how to make its fruit; it just does. The make-up of the tree, what’s built into its DNA, dictates what type of fruit will grow.

  • When we become “new creatures in Christ,” our spiritual DNA changes. The Holy Spirit is given to us, and we should now produce a new kind of fruit.

  • Unlike a tree, we are free moral agents, and we will always be susceptible to producing fruit from our old DNA. It is in our imperfect state that choosing to produce the “fruit of the Spirit” is most noticeable, and becomes most desirable.

  • A tree’s fruit is primarily for the purpose of reproduction. The “fruit” we produce is also for that purpose. It is to attract others and kindle a desire in them to know Christ.

• It’s not because of any law that we produce this fruit.

  • Paul had just reminded the Galatians earlier in this chapter that they were not to live under the law, but in the freedom that comes from knowing Christ as Savior.

  • We don’t display the “fruit of the Spirit” because of the law. There was no law that could be attributed for this type of fruit production. There were no “kindness” or “gentleness” or “joy” police.

  • Therefore, it is evident that the fruit being produced is being produced from the new Spirit within, not from a sense of duty. These actions point to Grace, not to law.

 

We can’t produce this “fruit of the Spirit” without the Spirit. People can fabricate some of the sections some of the time, but can’t really produce the fruit. Human nature is selfish; it doesn’t yield this fruit naturally. Will this fruit be automatically produced all the time in our lives as Christians? As much as that’s the goal, the answer is No… sadly, we’ll show a rotten piece now and again. But as we become deeper rooted and grounded in Christ, it should become more and more automatic. If we produce more “rotten fruit” than “good fruit,” it’s an indication that God needs to do some serious pruning in us!