By: Corey BonassoIf you’ve been a Christian for any amount of time (or even if you haven’t), there’s a good chance you have heard of the “Fruit of the Spirit.” You may even be able to recite the complete list from memory. In summary, the Fruit of Spirit consists of nine characteristics evident in a person living out their faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrating that they love and follow him. This article marks the beginning of a new series in which we will explore these attributes individually.
These nine traits are listed in Galatians 5:22–23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is not an exhaustive list. Paul listed nine specific qualities of a born-again Christian, but by no means did he intend to limit the good attributes a believer should exemplify. I imagine Paul writing this letter and firing these nine things off the top of his head because they seem (or should seem) self-evident. Furthermore, these categories are relatively broad and encompass many other good qualities Christians should aspire to live out.
Works of the Flesh
Some studious Christians may be able to recite the Fruit of the Spirit, but very few could recite the other, not-so-nice list Paul gives us in the same passage. Just prior to listing the Fruit of the Spirit, Paul lists in Galatians 5:19–21 the works of the flesh: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” Although many of us likely don’t have this specific list committed to memory, I am sure we all are quite familiar with these “works of the flesh.” The sin that remains in us even after salvation goes against the Fruit of the Spirit in every way. It’s valuable for us to discuss these things as we ponder the dichotomy between the Fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh.
As Christians, we have an internal war happening at all times. Our reborn and rejuvenated spirit is in constant tension with our sinful flesh. It will remain this way until we receive our new spiritual bodies in the resurrection, and those bodies will be free from sin. However, until that kingdom begins, we remain shackled to our current physical bodies, riddled with the disease of sin. Paul discusses this reality in Romans, “So now it is no longer I who do [the thing I hate], but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Rom. 7:17–19).
Demonstrating the works of the flesh takes no effort on our part. It is quite easy to live in sin. It is the terrible lie that Satan has been whispering to Christ’s followers since he whispered it to Eve in the Garden of Eden. It says, “You’ll feel so good and be so much happier if you just give up the struggle.” Friends, I tell you that being a Christian is precisely that: a struggle. We must struggle in this life to be effective for Christ. I’m not saying we should seek out struggling or suffering just for the sake of it. We’re not called to masochism. But the suffering will find you if you are genuinely devoted to Christ and strive to live for him in every way. Satan will leverage his considerable forces against you to stop you from making much of Christ. Despite that, I implore all my fellow believers to finish the race. The reward is unimaginably better than any suffering we may face.
Why Does this Matter
As we explore these attributes over the next several months, it will be important to remember that knowing and understanding these traits is vital to a vibrant walk with Jesus. The Fruit of the Spirit is the most persuasive outward evidence of a person’s faith in Christ. Anyone can say they believe in Jesus with their words, but if a person makes such a claim and doesn’t demonstrate any of the Fruit of the Spirit, it certainly calls into question the sincerity of those words.
One who has truly been born again can be described accurately using some (and ideally all) of the Fruit of the Spirit. These qualities are the natural effect of a heart that has been rejuvenated by the beautiful salvation that Christ brings to his followers. Unfortunately, we are still sinful human beings, so none of us will ever be able to exemplify perfectly all of the Fruit of the Spirit. However, that is not an excuse not to strive for that. Finish the race.
These qualities are ultimately what set Christians apart from the world. Jesus tells us, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35, emphasis added).
When we allow ourselves to be transformed by the renewing of our minds through the study of God’s Word and fellowship with believers, we can exemplify the Fruit of the Spirit. It will be our calling card. It will be the thing that makes the world stop and look at us and wonder why we are the way we are. It will be the thing that allows us to have an opportunity to spread the good news of Christ to the world. Let us not grow weary in our struggle or pass by that opportunity, for it is the very purpose of our existence.