“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22 – (NIV)
As we become realigned with the Father, we need to cultivate His characteristics. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Kingdom citizens in Galatia, made a list of essential qualities that make up God’s character: love, joy, peace, forbearance, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul referred to these qualities as “the fruit of the Spirit.”
What he is actually saying is that wherever the Holy Spirit is, these qualities should be evident, indicating that the culture of God is present.
Paul used fruit as an analogy because fruit does not appear overnight. Rather, it develops over time. What he really wanted the Galatians to know was that they would have to cultivate the culture of God in their lives under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Know this, brethren: Since we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we have the original nature of God, and therefore, we just need to manifest it in our lives. It must be known that when you receive the Holy Spirit you also receive the seed of the Kingdom nature. You, therefore, develop this seed by putting into your life the Kingdom elements that allow it to grow.
What nutrients will allow the fruit to grow in our lives? The spiritual nutrients that enable the fruit to grow in our lives are:
- Maintaining a continual connection with our Heavenly Father
- Learning the Scriptures and
- Yielding to the direction of the Holy Spirit in our lives
When the Holy Spirit lives within us, He renovates our lives by enabling us to reflect God’s nature. He changes our way of thinking, talking, and walking and gives us a new perspective on life. He causes us to have the mindset of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Are you prepared to live by the culture of God? Yield yourself to Him and allow Him to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life.
Read: Matthew 7:20; Galatians 5:1
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 113; Ephesians 5:8-33; Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 66
