THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

What Is Meant By “Fruit”? Three primary uses in the Bible Three primary uses in the Bible –A reproduced “kind” or “offspring”, whether animate or inanimate (Gen 1:11- 12, 21, 24-25) –The results of one’s work, effort, or entitlement (Mark 12:2) –Outward expression of attitudes and dispositions that reveal the inward character of man (Gal 5:22-23)

Bible Lessons About Fruit Reoccurring References Throughout Reoccurring References Throughout –Garden Of Eden –Parable Of The Sower (Luke 8) –Parable Of The Wicked Husbandmen (Mark 12:1-2,3-11) –The Farmer’s Patience (James 5:7) –The Vine & The Branches (John 15:1-8)

Jesus In Matthew 7:16-20 Relationship Of Tree To Its Fruit Relationship Of Tree To Its Fruit –Good tree produces good fruit –Corrupt tree produces evil fruit –Good tree cannot produce evil fruit –Corrupt tree cannot produce good fruit Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire The Fruit declares the type of tree - either it is good or it is corrupt (there is no in- between) The Fruit declares the type of tree - either it is good or it is corrupt (there is no in- between)

May Only Be One Or The Other Matthew 12:33-35 Matthew 12:33-35 –Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. James 3:11-12 James 3:11-12 –Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Nature of Fruit of the Spirit But – contrast with works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21, Jas. 3:13-18) But – contrast with works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21, Jas. 3:13-18) Of the Spirit – that which is revealed by Spirit in Word (Rom. 8:5-10) Of the Spirit – that which is revealed by Spirit in Word (Rom. 8:5-10) Fruit – outward expression of attitudes and dispositions that reveal the inward character (Jn. 15:5) Fruit – outward expression of attitudes and dispositions that reveal the inward character (Jn. 15:5) Against such there is no law – no condemnation when walking according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-4) Against such there is no law – no condemnation when walking according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-4)

Love (agape) Active good will toward one’s fellowman; seeks highest good, not ignore or hate Active good will toward one’s fellowman; seeks highest good, not ignore or hate 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – attributes of love (Gal. 6:10; Matt. 5:44; Jn. 15:12- 13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – attributes of love (Gal. 6:10; Matt. 5:44; Jn. 15:12- 13;

Joy (chara) True happiness, rejoicing True happiness, rejoicing Dependent on one’s relationship with God (Jn. 15:11; Rom. 15:13) Dependent on one’s relationship with God (Jn. 15:11; Rom. 15:13) Not dependent on pleasantness of earthly circumstances (Rom. 14:17; Phil. 2:17; Heb 10:34) Not dependent on pleasantness of earthly circumstances (Rom. 14:17; Phil. 2:17; Heb 10:34)

Peace (eirene) Spiritual soundness of body, mind, welfare, prosperity, contentment Spiritual soundness of body, mind, welfare, prosperity, contentment To be found with God, fellowman, and self (Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Phil. 4:6-7) To be found with God, fellowman, and self (Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Phil. 4:6-7)

Longsuffering (makrothumia) “Long-tempered”, steadfastness, endurance, forbearance “Long-tempered”, steadfastness, endurance, forbearance Bearing long in teaching and help without losing temper or patience (2 Tim. 4:2) Bearing long in teaching and help without losing temper or patience (2 Tim. 4:2)

Kindness (chrestotes) Gentle, mellow, easy (Matt. 11:28-30); calm and gentle disposition, not caustic Gentle, mellow, easy (Matt. 11:28-30); calm and gentle disposition, not caustic God’s goodness to us leads us to be gentle with others (Col. 3:12-13) God’s goodness to us leads us to be gentle with others (Col. 3:12-13)

Goodness (agathosune) Uprightness of heart and life; seeks the benefit and help of others, generous (Eph. 5:9) Uprightness of heart and life; seeks the benefit and help of others, generous (Eph. 5:9) Opposite of what is evil/bad and mean/grudging; can be both kind and strong Opposite of what is evil/bad and mean/grudging; can be both kind and strong God’s nature (Rom 11:22) God’s nature (Rom 11:22)

Faithfulness (pistis) One who can be relied on, loyalty can be depended on (Matt. 25:21; 1 Cor. 4:2) One who can be relied on, loyalty can be depended on (Matt. 25:21; 1 Cor. 4:2) Loyalty to God and men (Rev. 2:10; Tit. 2:10) Loyalty to God and men (Rev. 2:10; Tit. 2:10) To be faithful, we must have knowledge of God’s word and act on it (Rom 10:17; James 2:26) To be faithful, we must have knowledge of God’s word and act on it (Rom 10:17; James 2:26)

Gentleness (prautes) Meekness, mild, gentle; not weakness or cowardly (Matt. 11:29; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 3:15) Meekness, mild, gentle; not weakness or cowardly (Matt. 11:29; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 3:15) Longsuffering while patiently confronting sins and sinners (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:24-26) Longsuffering while patiently confronting sins and sinners (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:24-26)

Self-Control (egkrateia) Temperance, self-mastery, self-control in all areas of life (1 Cor. 9:25-27; 2 Pet. 1:6) Temperance, self-mastery, self-control in all areas of life (1 Cor. 9:25-27; 2 Pet. 1:6) Necessary dominion over one’s thoughts, words, and actions (Acts 24:25) Necessary dominion over one’s thoughts, words, and actions (Acts 24:25)

Is The Fruit In You? Crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, and then live in the Spirit (Gal 5:24-26) Crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, and then live in the Spirit (Gal 5:24-26) Are you bearing the Fruit Of The Spirit in every way? Are you bearing the Fruit Of The Spirit in every way? Love Joy Peace Longsuffering Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-Control