Fruit of the Spirit 

By Christian living we evidence or display that we have the Holy Spirit when we produce the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, "...by their fruits ye shall know them."  People who do not produce this fruit need to examine themselves...do they really have the Spirit of God? (See II Corinthians 13:1-5 and Matthew 7:15‑20.) How do we examine ourselves? Check the fruit, Galatians 5:22-26.

1. Love - John 14:15; 15:14; I John 4:19; 5:2‑3; Galatians 5:6.
2. Joy - joy in Jesus, Philippians 4:4; joy n the Spirit, Romans 14:17; in the kingdom today there is joy because of the good news of Jesus.
3. Peace - Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6; Romans 14:17,  Christ's is a kingdom of peace.
4. Longsuffering - patience, suffer through, James 5:11; Jesus, Matthew 5:12‑12.
5. Kindness - be ye kind, Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12; Titus 3:4; II Peter 1:7; I Corinthians 13:4.
6. Goodness - doing God's will, full of all knowledge and discernment and able to admonish, Romans 15:14.
7. Faithfulness - full of faith, dependable, I Corinthians 15:58; Revelation 2:10.
8. Meekness - strength under control (example: bridle for horses). Jesus was meek, not weak, Matthew 11:29.
9. Self-control - doing the right thing with patience and temperance, II Peter 1:5-9.

If we live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit, and we will produce the fruit of the Spirit in our life. Church-goers, as well as other people, can claim they have the Holy Spirit, but those who produce anger, hatred, violence, rancor, and division certainly are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit and are none of His, Romans 8:9.

© Ivy Conner

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