Fruit of the Spirit is essential for the healthy growth of our spiritual being. It is synonymous to the fruits we eat before or after meal.
The Food Nutritionists explained various micro nutrients in fruits that are essential for the good health of our body. For instance, orange is a good source of vitamin C, banana regulates the bowel and controls obesity, coconut supports immune system to avoid incessant infection in the body. I had tried eating fruits daily and it really keeps the doctor away…
What are the fruit of the Spirit?
I am sure no one will give you the list of avocado or berries!! Fruit of the Spirit includes:
Righteousness; perfect obedience to the instructions of Jesus Christ. Matthew chapter 5 verse 48 says: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”.
Noble; unquestionable character at home and the public
Purity; every child of God must have a sinless heart. Leviticus chapter 19 verse 2: “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy”.
Love; strong positive emotion of regard and affection to yourself and everyone. John chapter 13 verses 34 says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another”.
Goodness; the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil
Tender Mercies; leniency and compassion shown toward offenders
Kindness; to be considerate and helpful to the poor
Humbleness; no form of pride
Gentleness; Not easily irritated and tender
Long-suffering; ability to be patient when things go rough
Forgiveness; No form of malice or hatred
Peace; even when there is war and unwanted circumstances, the heart is not broken
Thankful; always filled with appreciation
Joy; unconditional happiness
Faithfulness; no betrayal of trust and hypocrisy
Self–control; ability to resist every temptation
My humble questions are: “Do you have all these fruit of the Spirit on your spiritual table? Do you feed on them daily”?
Galatians chapter 5 verses 22 and 23 says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
Colossians chapter 3 verses 12 to 16 says: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
The fruit of the Spirit is the attitude of God. If you want to be an heir or heiress of God’s kingdom, then you must feed on the fruit of the Spirit every day. John chapter 15 verse 5 say: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
The benefits of the daily intake of the fruit of the Spirit include:
Acquisition of ‘spiritual antibodies’: Spiritual attacks by the powers of darkness will never knock you down.
A healthy spiritual growth: Your relationship with the Lord will be smooth during the tough and happy conditions of life.
Regular communication: You will always hear from God, because your spiritual ear will be nourished properly to hear God’s voice.
Prevention of ‘Spiritual Cancer’: Your spirit will never be degenerated by the demons for their spiritual use. Your body and spirit won’t be an instrument of the demons.
Express entry to heaven: It is impossible for unlike minds to reason together, thus, it is only the human spirit that is adequately fed with the fruit of the spirit can enjoy the feast in Heaven.
Revelation chapter 22 verses 1 and 2 say: “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month…”
Differences between Fruit of the Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gift is mainly for the benefit of people around the gifted. But the fruit of the Spirit is mainly for the eternal benefit of the person.
Spiritual gift cannot qualify you to gain heaven. But the fruit of the Spirit is the character that sustains the salvation of Jesus for your eternal soul into heaven.
First Corinthians chapter 13 verse 8 to 10 says: “Love (fruit) never fails. But whether there are prophecies (gift), they will fail; whether there are tongues (gift), they will cease; whether there is knowledge (gift), it will vanish away…”
The unbelievers/backsliders can sustain the use of spiritual gifts for a long time, but cannot sustain feeding on the fruit of the Spirit. The taste of the fruit is only palatable to the genuine Christians.
You cannot harvest the fruit of the Spirit by your power and no man on earth can sell it to you. Thus, you have to accept God into your life. Confess your sins and repent from your careless lifestyle. Surrender your life to Jesus and His Blood will clean all your sins. Then, the Spirit of God will come into you.
John chapter 14 verse 23: “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
Study the Bible daily and obey the guidelines of the Lord. Your obedience to the Word of God will make you enjoy feasting on the fruit of the Spirit and your eternal life in enjoyment is guaranteed.
