We can’t jump into the Fruit of the Spirit without an authentic discussion about the Holy Spirit Himself. We see throughout the New Testament of the Bible our need to stay connected to the Vine and abide in the Spirit in order to bear the fruit. The analogy is beautiful and such a tangible description of our need for our Savior. Yet we often stick to the effort of connecting and abiding and miss out on the freedom that results. I pray in this season you grasp the freedom that results from a life connected to and abiding in the Spirit. Because it’s not found in our own efforts, strategies, plans, guidelines, resolutions, programs, etc. True freedom is found in He alone.
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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
GALATIANS 5:22-25
I’ve spent so many years trying to do it on my own, and my heart hurts seeing those around me falling into the same trap. True freedom . . . and love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control . . . are not the result of our our hard-work, determination, and goal-setting. They are the result of a daily choice to surrender and be led by the Spirit. This is all an ironic pattern that goes against our culture and norms but aligns with the grace and freedom that come from a relationship with Christ.
Just as we are all designed to worship, we are all created with the desire to be filled. It is so easy to seek the things around us to fill us up – relationships, possessions, appearance, money, Netflix, social media, chocolate, wine, projects or even the natural endorphins of working out. But NOTHING can replace being full of the Holy Spirit and the abundance fruits of freedom His produces!
When we RECEIVE Him, the result is our GIVING
Libby Myrin
When we LOVE God with all we are, the result is LOVING those around us.
When we ABIDE in Him, the result is BEING FILLED with love, joy, and peace.
When He BURNS and IGNITES a fire in our souls, the result is our SHINING.
When we RECEIVE the Holy Spirit, the result is BEARING fruit.
I share about my personal journey from shining to burning HERE, but my heart in this study is to provide and encourage a journey of freedom. Not one of fitness or programs or steps or fat challenges. But a journey that is Spirit-led, Spirit-filled, and spiritual. The physical, mental, and emotional results and ‘fruit’ will follow and thrive.
The power of the Holy Spirit is a free gift as believers of Jesus Christ. As stated in Acts 2, its main purpose is to truly help us. The Spirit teaches us (Luke 12:12), leads us (Luke 4:1), helps us pray (Jude 1:20), and speaks truth (Romans 9:1). Our bodies are thus holy and beautiful temples housing the Spirit (I Cor 6:19-20).
We must also be wise in this freedom, stay connected to the Vine, and make choices that will bear good fruit. For what may be good to some may not be beneficial to you.
So as we break down each Fruit of the Spirit, taste and see that the Lord is good in His promise of a life of freedom. The specific fruit and even their listed order have purpose and bear an overflowing of truth as we pursue a Spirit-led life of freedom. Rather than a list of to-dos, we surrender to a list of loves, beginning with the love of a Father, Son, and Spirit. The Spirit is ready and willing to pour out an abundance of fruit into the lives of those willing and ready to surrender and be strengthened by our Savior, Jesus Christ. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!
I want to mention that while this content is a compilation of scripture, devotionals, sermons, books, and just Spirit-led conversations, my foundation for the fruit of the Spirit came from Beth Moore’s Bible study, Living Beyond Yourself. So you’ll see several quotes from her throughout, and I highly recommend her study if you’d like a deeper resource!
Burning Bright! 