The Fruit

Eph. 5:⁹ (AMPC) “For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.”

Gal. 5:^22-23 “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!” (emphasis added). We explained that “Fruit” in this scripture is singular, therefore once you have the fruit, you have the fruit – all the nine complete! It is important to state this over and over again so that we do not find ourselves struggling where we should be flowing. The sixth component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is Goodness. When people experience you, they should experience goodness. Rom.12:²¹ (NIV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” You do not overcome evil by being more evil or by fighting. You overcome evil with good. In fact, the root word for goodness is also the same root word for generosity. God wants us to be generous so that the people that come in contact with our lives will experience our goodness. And that is where the fruit of the Spirit comes in. When people experience you, do they experience love, joy, peace, patience, goodness? Beginning from today they will [say Amen].

Faithfulness is the seventh component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 1 Sam. 26:²³ (NRSV) “The Lord rewards everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord gave you into my hand today, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” This was the same Saul that was out to kill David; he was chasing him and even declared David wanted. David had the opportunity to take Saul out, but David remained faithful. David said, “No, I will not do it.” Many Nigerian Christians will strike and say it is the Lord’s doing. No, it is not. It is a test that you failed; a test in faithfulness, a test in loyalty. 2 Chron. 16:^9a “The Lord keeps close watch over the whole world, to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to him.” (GNT, emphasis added).

The eighth attribute of the fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness. When people experience you, do they experience gentleness or do they experience aggression and harassment? Do people experience someone that wants to subjugate them or someone that wants to serve them? The same word translated gentleness is the same word for meekness. Meekness is like power under control. You have the right to do something, but you choose not to do it for the greater good. That is gentleness, that is meekness. When we come to your office and ask to see you. When we describe you as gentle, will your colleagues be shocked? I am not saying that you have to be timid, or laid back, or deny your personality. You can be who you are and still be gentle. God wants you and I to be gentle, to be meek. If we come to your house and describe you as gentle, what will your siblings say, your very own brother or sister? Will they say that one is far from gentle?

Prayer: Father, I pray that when people encounter me, they will experience goodness, faithfulness, loyalty, gentleness, meekness, in Jesus Name. Amen!