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How to Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit in Your Life
The fruit of the Spirit needs to be “cultivated” by anyone who has made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. These characteristics help us act and think more like Jesus, defining a spiritual path for our lives, instead of living lives marked by jealousy, impurity, and self-centeredness. These qualities provide evidence of the transforming power of God’s love.
What is the Fruit of the Spirit?
The Fruit of the Spirit are nine attributes of Christian living in accordance with the Holy Spirit.The nine fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 WEB). In the King James version, they are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
Love
One of many messages that comes through loud and clear in the Bible is the importance that God has placed on love. He wants all of His children to love Him, one another, and ourselves. He even wants us to love and pray for our enemies. It’s only when the Spirit starts to flourish, becoming one with our personalities, that we can begin to love to the degree and intensity that He wants to see from us.
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (WEB)
Joy
Joy is a much-needed quality. Being able to live a life filled with joy, regardless of how bad life has beaten you down, is a crucial, but often hard to maintain. What’s important to remember is that God can fully heal and restore you if you’re willing to open your heart to him. A joyful heart . . . that abiding, deep inner rejoicing, is what you will experience when you accept His love.
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. – Philippians 4:4 (KJV)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (WEB)
Peace
Peace is all about feeling content, secure, untroubled . . . free from strife . . . Christ-like. Once you let His peace flow up into your soul and emotions, you can experience an inner peace that is greater than all human understanding. The inner peace and harmony of a Christian whose trust in God is extraordinary. When you want His will for your life and not your own will, you can experience the peace that any trial or celebration brings.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (WEB)
Patience (Longsuffering)
Patience is having the ability to persevere under pressure with a kind heart and caring, even-tempered mind. It’s about enduring without complaining, not being easy to provoke, having peaceful expectations and a profound belief in the nature of God.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
Kindness and Goodness
The characteristics of “kindness” and “goodness” are very similar. Together they represent a person who doesn’t just possess moral goodness and ethics, but one who expresses it in how they act toward others. These powerful actions represent God’s kindness and goodness toward his children.
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (WEB)
Faithfulness
Faith develops from a place of trust and devotion – and putting that devotion and loyalty into practice, despite extenuating circumstances, much like God’s covenant to love his children no matter what. Faith itself is a belief in what we do not see and is an important part of the Christian faith.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)
Gentleness
This fruit of the Spirit shouldn’t be confused with weakness – it’s a strong hand with a nurturing touch. Gentleness is a powerful trait that is composed of kindness, amiability, and consideration. It is a compassionate, tender approach towards someone else’s limitations and frailties. A gentle person speaks the truth, but in such a way that their message is well received. Even Jesus said He was gentle.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Self-Control
Self-control is having the ability to “control” one’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior when confronted with temptations. For Christians, self-control isn’t just about behaviors; it’s about resisting the temptation to break God’s commands. Jesus is the perfect example of having self- control. He lived a sinless life, demonstrated self-control by steadfastly carrying out his Father’s will. He did it all to set an example for us, dying for our sins so that we would have eternal life.
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
Why is it Important for Christians to Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit?
A lack of fruit means the absence of a relationship (or one that is deteriorating) with the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is a powerful gift God gave us to become more Christ-like. How we respond to situations should be guided by the fruits of the Spirit. Without it, we can’t help but fall into temptation and sin and lose track of His plan for us.
How to Cultivate the Fruit
To cultivate the fruit, we need to spend time with God, read His Word and learn more about Jesus’ life. By doing so, we’ll understand His love for us and how He has blessed us. Seeing the good in Jesus and being aware of His presence helps change us mentally and spiritually. Taking the time to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit allows Him to transform us, even when it is uncomfortable for us to let go completely. The fruit of the Spirit is powerful and has the ability to transform and sanctify you. The fruit also has the ability to leave a lasting effect on everyone around you. Not sure where to start? Ask Jesus for guidance – He’s always ready to help if you let Him.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Mark 12:30
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mark 12:30
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Colossians 1:10
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:10
Genesis 9:13
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 9:13
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This is very frustrating because I have spend 20 minutes trying to find the free printable……why can’t you just send the printable without going through hoops
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