The Holy____Sample

THE HOLY EQUIPPER: PART ONE - FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

One of the signs a person is walking their life in step with the Spirit and filled with the Spirit, is bearing the fruit of the Spirit. What does that mean?

In the same way that an apple tree doesn't strain to produce apples - if it is planted in good soil, and gets water and sunlight - it will produce apples year after year. In the same way, Christians who are filled with the Spirit of God should be producing the fruit of the Spirit. Not literal fruit! But qualities.

The important thing to note about the fruit of the Spirit is that it's relational. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives means that our relationships are filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Many scholars believe that love is first on this list because it is actually the guiding principle of all fruit. Jesus says in John 14 that his disciples will be known by their love. We have a God who so deeply loves us that he was willing to pay the greatest price for us. We have a God who wants us to walk in love, reflecting his great love for the world.

So while the Holy Spirit gives us the power to witness, spiritual gifts and divine guidance - they all need to operate with the love and fruit that he fills our hearts with. We want to be effective people, not clanging gongs!

"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 5:22-23

Prayer Point: Holy Spirit thank you that when you fill my life, you fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the fruit of living in step with you. Show me where I need to water my life to produce more fruit.