Saturday, October 24, 2026

Scripture

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a

Reflections

In Mt. 7:20, Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits.”  Grapes are not gathered from thorns.  Figs do not come from thistles.  Good trees do not bear bad fruit.  Bad trees do not bear good fruit.

In the same way, followers of Jesus will bear the good fruits of the Spirit.  The Apostle Paul expands upon this by naming nine different fruits; “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  We do well to take these seriously and meditate upon each of them.  We can use them as a spiritual mirror to look at our lives.  Do our lives reflect those traits?  If we were to rate ourselves on each of these, how would we score?

These fruits of the Spirit stand against the backdrop of “the works of the flesh” named a few verses prior: “sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.”  The evil one wants us to think living in these ways is no big deal, but he’s only trying to deceive us.  Nothing good comes from these.

When we are walking in the Spirit, we automatically manifest the character of God in these nine fruits.  The wise focus on trusting in God, growing in Him, and welcoming his Spirit into their life.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the fruits of the Spirit manifested in all who walk in the Spirit.  I trust in You and welcome your work within my life.  May my life bear the fruit of your kingdom.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Galatians 5:22-26