The Nine-fold Fruit of the Spirit -- Galatians 5:22-23

Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit consist of nine characteristics. These nine characteristics are evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in a person, and that through Jesus, God has made that person righteous. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”. These characteristics are the result (the fruit) that someone has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that the person has yielded to the Holy Spirit to let sin no longer dominate his or her life. A person cannot achieve the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit unless they accept Jesus' free gift of salvation and yield to the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Nine-Fold Fruit of the Spirit are described as follows:

1.     Love - “Agape” love is unmerited favor. Love is something to share with everyone. Regardless of relationship, like and dislike, or situation.

2.     Joy – Joy is delight in the hope and promises of Jesus Christ. No matter what the circumstances, a person can have joy in the hope of eternal life and being in right standing with God.

3.     Peace – Peace is having eternal security by being in eternal relationship with God because of Jesus' act on the cross.

4.     Long-Suffering – Long-suffering is having patient endurance to withstand all of life's trials. Long-suffering is possible because of hope and assurance in God's promises.

5.     Gentleness – Gentleness is being kind to others and being unmoved by circumstances. By a person yielding to and being comforted by the Holy Spirit, he or she can be gentle in all situations. Also, see Kindness.

6.     Goodness – Goodness is acting like Jesus as He did when He walked on the Earth and doing the things of God. This is a Godly goodness that is defined by God through His Word, the Bible.

7.     Faith – Faith is having the hope and assurance in the promises of God. This is a confident and a trust that is not moved by temporary circumstances.

8.     Meekness – Meekness is a humility that seeks no revenge. Meekness comes from a person yielding to the Holy Spirit in all circumstances. It is a state of mind where God comes first, and self comes last.

9.     Temperance – Temperance is self-control. With the Holy Spirit in a person, they have a higher purpose to serve God. Fleshly desires are secondary to serving God in all things.

GALATIANS 5 BIBLES SCRIPTURE Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”