Fruit of the Spirit

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:1-4

What is the Fruit of the Spirit?

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

What does it mean to be Spirit filled? Has someone ever asked you if you are "led by the Spirit?" or if you are "Spirit driven" or "Spirit-filled" or have the Holy Spirit's Baptism? Since the turn of the twentieth century, many Christian groups have placed their focus on the Holy Spirit as front and center for the Church as well as their personal and ministry life. As a result, a lot of various teachings have come up that are very popular, some good, some bad and not biblical.

We have to realize that the Fruit of the Spirit is a "must" endeavor--not a convenience or a mere attitude, nor is it just for children or something to be ignored. Rather, it is a principle hallmark that points to God's Holiness and effectual Christian living. It is not something we are to regulate to the youth departments of the church, thinking we have grown beyond it as adults. Rather, it is the most important thing a Christian and, especially a minister of the Word and church leader, is to be doing. It is who we are to be, growing and maturing as a lifelong journey of our spiritual formation our faith development and deployment.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal. 5:25

Biblical curriculums to help us in knowing and applying the Fruit of the Spirit  

The Fruit of the Spirit are codependent entities; neither one can stand or work by itself as they are designed to work all together synergistically to build us up for His service.

The Fruit of the Spirit are not what we do when we have the time or feel like it; they are what we are to do--period!

In Christ, together we make the Fruit by taking His yoke so it will create the blossom, and when we keep His yoke (growth in our faith and practice of being a disciple) we will bear the Fruit. It is what we are to Christ-not so much what we do in His name.

Remember; the Fruits and Character cost dearly, they are not cheap by and from the One who bought them for us, for our betterment and for His glory. We must not take for granted what cost Him so much!