AVAAT

A VERSE AT A TIME

TOPIC: CHARACTER FRUIT

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22-23

KEY VERSE: But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Galatians 5:22(AMP)

An unfruitful Christian will likely lose their place in the Kingdom of God. Bearing fruit is not an option for a child of God but is mandatory. There are passages in the scriptures that made me reach these conclusions. Every fruit a Christian produces results from the presence of the Holy Spirit living in them. The character fruit is named after the Holy Spirit to emphasize how impossible it is to have them without help. (Isaiah 5:1-2,Luke 13:6-9)

The fruit a tree bears reveals its identity and nature. Similarly, the fruit a person produces reveals their true nature and identity, whether they are disciples of Christ or not. The fruit of character is the evidence of your new birth. The Holy Spirit produces a variety of them, nine distinct types.(Matthew 7:15-20,James 3:11-17)  

So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behaviour that proves a change of heart and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]; Matthew 3:8(AMPC)

Jesus promised his disciples to ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit as a gift. God fulfilled that promise on the day of Pentecost. What you believe about the person of the Holy Spirit will determine if you will receive him. The world cannot receive him because they work by their senses, but believers walk by faith. Jesus taught his disciples the mission of the Holy Spirit in their lives, but none of that is possible if we do not allow ourselves to be guided and empowered by him.

And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit! John 20:22(AMPC)

Jesus left us an example of the Kingdom’s way of bearing fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit. Though Mary was filled with the Spirit at Jesus’ birth, the Holy Spirit descended upon him during baptism. He was the son of God, but he didn’t lean on his understanding; he allowed himself to be driven by the Spirit. With the Spirit’s help, Jesus could manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit under all kinds of unpleasant circumstances because he was full of the Spirit.

Immediately the [Holy] Spirit [from within] drove Him out into the wilderness (desert), Mark 1:12(AMPC)

And Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Luke 4:1(KJV)

Paul wrote a message to the believers in Ephesus, urging them always to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He compared the impact of the Holy Spirit on a person to that of wine, which stimulates, intoxicates, and influences one’s actions. When the Holy Spirit filled Peter, he was transformed from a fearful person to a bold one.

Don’t get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18(ERV)

Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13(AMPC)

Living abiding in Jesus means surrendering control to the Holy Spirit. This is only possible when we can hear His voice, allow Him to teach us the Scriptures, convict us of wrongdoing, and guide our prayers. Sometimes, we may have to pray in the Spirit without fully understanding what we are asking for. When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will exhibit the fruit of His character.

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. John 15:4(AMPC)

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. Romans 8:26(AMPC)

As a believer, you face many choices and decisions when acting and responding to various people and events in your daily life. By trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Christians can respond as Jesus would, which is why the people of Antioch called them Christians. When the world expects you to lose your cool, responding with the character traits of love, joy, and peace indicates that you are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, just as the Apostles were.

By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]. John 13:33(AMPC)

When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. John 15:8(AMPC)

People are drawn to the Lord when they see the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in us, which is pleasing to the Lord. The abundant life Jesus gives, a joy-filled, peaceful, self-controlled life, is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection Questions

1. What has God shown you about your character?
2. What does it mean for you to be driven by the Holy Spirit?
3. Which aspect of your character does not reflect your status as a disciple of Jesus?
4. What does your character tell others about you?