The Spirit's Fruit
Galatians 5:16–18, 22–23
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves… But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Paul does not begin Galatians 5 by listing fruit. He begins by describing a conflict. He explains that the sinful nature and the Spirit are opposed to one another, each pulling in a different direction. This matters because fruit is not about self improvement. It is about which influence we are yielding to daily.
Paul’s instruction is clear. “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.” Fruit is not something we strive to produce. It is something that grows when the Spirit is allowed to lead. The fruit of the Spirit is not the reward for good behavior. It is the evidence of surrendered leadership.
Notice that Paul does not say the Spirit produces some fruit depending on personality or gifting. He says the Spirit produces fruit. Singular. One work. One source. Love flows into joy. Joy strengthens peace. Peace steadies patience. This is the inner life Christ forms when the Spirit is not resisted.
This is why spiritual frustration often shows up in character first. When peace is absent, something else is leading. When self control is lacking, something else is shaping desire. Paul is not condemning believers. He is inviting them to return to the right source.
Where God guides, He supplies. When God is guiding transformation in your life, He supplies fruit through His Spirit. Not instantly. Not effortlessly. But faithfully, as you walk with Him.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, search my heart. Show me where I am resisting Your leadership. I want You to shape my desires, my responses, and my character. Produce Your fruit in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves… But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Paul does not begin Galatians 5 by listing fruit. He begins by describing a conflict. He explains that the sinful nature and the Spirit are opposed to one another, each pulling in a different direction. This matters because fruit is not about self improvement. It is about which influence we are yielding to daily.
Paul’s instruction is clear. “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.” Fruit is not something we strive to produce. It is something that grows when the Spirit is allowed to lead. The fruit of the Spirit is not the reward for good behavior. It is the evidence of surrendered leadership.
Notice that Paul does not say the Spirit produces some fruit depending on personality or gifting. He says the Spirit produces fruit. Singular. One work. One source. Love flows into joy. Joy strengthens peace. Peace steadies patience. This is the inner life Christ forms when the Spirit is not resisted.
This is why spiritual frustration often shows up in character first. When peace is absent, something else is leading. When self control is lacking, something else is shaping desire. Paul is not condemning believers. He is inviting them to return to the right source.
Where God guides, He supplies. When God is guiding transformation in your life, He supplies fruit through His Spirit. Not instantly. Not effortlessly. But faithfully, as you walk with Him.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, search my heart. Show me where I am resisting Your leadership. I want You to shape my desires, my responses, and my character. Produce Your fruit in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
No Comments