The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt 1

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). As we begin this mini-series there are some basic principles that are helpful to understand. First, the word "fruit" here is used in the singular. Paul is not referring to nine different fruits. If you can imagine a cluster of grapes, each of the grapes is a little different, but they are all grapes from the same vine. Together they are a whole. God's design for these nine characteristics was to function together. It is the visible expression of the Holy Spirit's power working inwardly in the life of the Believer. Their appearance is a result of God's power activated in us through the Holy Spirit. The Greek word translated “fruit” carries with it the meaning "to be plucked, to seize, to catch, or to pull". It is a simple way for the apostle to declare these characteristics appear in the life of the believer and are made available for others to enjoy! I have some fruit trees in my yard that are beginning to produce. There is something far better about picking a peach just ripe from one of my trees and eating it. As good as the fruit might be at the local market, it is not quite as good as fresh picked! Additionally, we ought to understand that fruit is a result of the growth of seed and the fruit very often carries the seed for the next harvest. Jesus made it clear that the seed is the Scripture (cf. Luke 8:11). When you read, study and welcome the Scripture into your life you give the Holy Spirit in you the materials to fashion His fruit in you. When His fruit is displayed through you, their "enjoyment" plants more seed for the Holy Spirit to work with. The Scripture and the Holy Spirit always work together toward multiplication. The more seed, the more fruit and vice versa. A farmer planted two fruit trees on opposite sides of his property. The one he planted to provide a hedge to hide the unsightly view of an old landfill; the other to provide shade to rest under near a cool mountain stream which ran down beside his fields. As the two trees grew, both began to flower and bear fruit. One day the farmer decided to gather the fruit from the tree nearest his house; it was the one used to provide a hedge from the landfill. As he brought the fruit inside the house, he noticed that it was a little odd looking. Later that evening, while sitting on his porch the farmer took one of the pieces of fruit for a snack. Biting into the fruit, he found it to be extremely bitter, and completely inedible. Casting the fruit aside he looked across the field to the other tree over by the mountain stream. After walking across the field, the farmer took a piece of the fruit from the other tree and bit into it. It was sweet and delicious. The fruit was greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. We have a similar choice. Where we put our “roots” down can determine the fruit we bear. Where are your roots?