I am Grace from Nigeria. We must also teach them how to develop their own relationship with God and how to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading in their lives. I need all the help I can get through The Holy Spirit whether directly or indirectly. Our growth is not gained based on how much good we do, but it’s an outpouring of a relationship with a living God that forces and encourages us to live better; to aspire to be like Him; to be Holy as He is holy. The seventh listed attribute of the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5 is “faithfulness.” This is a beautiful characteristic of God Himself, and one that we, as Believers, are meant to walk in through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." If we pray that God would help us grow in the fruit of the Spirit, we can be 100% confident that He will do it. “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit” (Luke 6:44). Prayerfully enquire of God if He feels your heart is pure in the desire to receive the gifts and surrender the matter to Him. The Singularity of the Fruit Often I hear people refer to the fruits of the Spirit. Guided by the Fruit of the Spirit, the planner uses a gardening theme concentrating on four garden plots – Friends/Family, Self, Community, Vocation/Work. https://www.familylife.com/.../10-ideas-reflecting-the-fruit-of-the-spirit Thanks, This was great! He is the one who does the work in us and produces His fruit. Put your heart in the correct place to serve and to receive. The Secret to Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit, May 31, 2013 Encouragement and a willingness to share ourselves may be one of the most understated kindnesses but it’s a kindness that’s sorely needed. I am a teacher I teach the kids @my church I really need help by teaching yes the holy spirt will guide but help me in prayers every day, Hi! It must have a source of light and be watered until it matures. 20 Reasons Marriages Fail (Christian Marriages, Too), 5 Hymns You Should be Singing in Your Home, A Hopeful Prayer for Strength in the Coming Tribulation, 10 Ways God Works When You're No Longer in Control, 10 Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Relationship, 10 Prayers of Intercession for Your Adult Children, 8 Reasons Why It's Hard to Separate from a Narcissist. Growing the Fruits of the Spirit. How do you help your children develop their own relationship with God? A fruit starts from a seed and that seed contains everything for the plant to begin and produce more fruit. No matter how hard you concentrate or strain your spiritual muscles, you can’t produce these spiritual fruits—and that includes joy. The ninth fruit of God’s Holy Spirit, temperance (from the Greek word egkrateia, meaning “self-control”), is a quality that is clearly lacking in today’s society. Just like seeds, we must be planted in good soil, nurtured, watered. I’ve never thought of it that way. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Plant the right seeds to grow the #FruitOfTheSpirit California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In order for a tree to yield fruit it goes through a cycle where it must be planted in good soil, it must be nurtured, it must have a light source; it must be watered until it reaches maturity. She can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. The fruits of the Spirit, in fact, have a massive application in our daily work, if you think about it. Each month focuses on one Fruit, detailing actions to plant + cultivate + grow. He will help us be more patient, kind, good, and meek, and we will have more self-control. Love - Be Merciful - 9. Be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. We’re always battling with what the Bible calls the works of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies (Galatians 5:19-21). And last … The login page will open in a new tab. Stop Trying to Grow the Fruits of the Spirit Pastor J.D. Trying to instill these traits into our lives on our own is like trying to grow apples without an apple tree. When God and others look at our trees—our lives—they should see nothing but “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentl… Just like in nature, our spiritual growth takes time. Know whose you are. Look at it. As we mature, others begin to notice a difference in us also: how our short fuse has gotten longer; how we’re no longer so self-focused; how we seemed to have undergone an attitude adjustment; how we’re willing to endure if it helps another. All rights reserved. Because the Holy Spirit is a gift to believers, He gives us the power to live fruitful lives. So as we grow more and more like Him, we will grow more and more in the fruits of the Spirit. Nylse is a Christian wife and a mother of four who loves life and inspiring others. Growing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is evidence of these internal changes. (John 13:13-17, 1 Peter 1:16, 1 John 2:6) God is perfect in love, joy, peace, and so on. These character traits are fruits (results) of the Spirit. Growing in the fruit of the Spirit is expected of those who have decided to turn to God. What Would the Apostle Paul Say about Wearing Face Masks? You can’t make a garden grow. The biggest help that I’ve had with these areas of self-development has been with coaching. Fortunately, we don’t have to guess what the fruit of a Christian’s life is to be, since Galatians 5:22-25 tells us. Cute garden themed stickers provide visuals for tracking growth. Go to the Source of the Fruit Developing the fruit of the spirit comes from a relationship with the Lord. December 6, 2017 July 16, 2020 You may have spent years trying to work to develop the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and … Introduce the nine qualities of the fruit of the Spirit through this prayer. We grow in knowledge of God through his Word, and grow our love of God through knowing him and obeying him. Growing the fruit of the Spirt relies on the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us, with the Holy Spirit's power making changes in our lives day by day. The fruit of the Spirit." It just cannot be done. Growing the fruit of the Spirt relies on the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us, with the Holy Spirit's power making changes in our lives day by day. Nine beautiful graces unfold the fruit of the Spirit. Know that the driving force to release the gifts into your life is the desire to serve God for the Kingdom. Just like seeds, we must be planted in good soil, nurtured, watered. It was great. in. I really liked your response to the post. Let’s see what the Bible says about the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and His work in us. We die to our old selves and put on our new self in Christ Jesus. ©Kathy Howard, 2011, Fruit of the Spirit Page 6 Plant: Prerequisite to Growing Spiritual Fruit The obvious prerequisite to producing the “fruit of the Spirit” is the presence of the Spirit. Read Romans 8:9-11. 5 Sweet Ways to Start the Day with God if You're Not a Morning Person. Do You Believe Your Heart Has Been Changed by Christ? We cannot put the cart before the horse as we teach these qualities to our children either. We exhibit charity. These virtues should be a part of every believer's life. We are to grow to think and act more like God does, and the fruit of the Spirit helps outline the path of a Christian. After salvation, we are no longer dead in our sin, but we will still struggle with sin and struggle to bear fruit this side of eternity. Ephesians 1:13-14 explains that the Holy Spirit is a deposit given to believers in Christ that guarantees their relationship with Christ. As with any fruit, we won’t see it and enjoy it right away. The Fruit of the Spirit is comprised of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). A tree yields fruit when it’s planted in good soil. And we continue to do it because we see how it helps others and more importantly we recognize a maturity in ourselves. If a person does not have the Holy Spirit, she doesn’t belong to Christ (Romans 8:9), therefore making it impossible to grow the fruit of the Spirit in her life. The Fruit of the Spirit is comprised of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Photo Credit: Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) via Compfight cc. We’re all too familiar with these because this is who we were before we made a decision to follow Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). We must spend time with Him in prayer and seek Him through His Word. And, as you work to reflect the fruits of the spirit here are some verses that will encourage you along the way. The fruit of the Spirit must be grown by the Holy Spirit in our lives. It doesn’t say, “The fruits of the Spirit are.” It says, “The fruit of the Spirit is, the fruit of the Spirit is.” These are nine characteristics that are to be being met manifest in the life of every Spirit-filled believer. Cherry goes on to write in her article: Those around us will have seasons … Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (NIV). My part was to let Him have His way in me, to yield and surrender to His work in my life. The muscle is already a part of us but we have to choose to use it if we want to see any growth. Last, our change in conduct and character is fruit. 10 Things a Husband Needs but Doesn't Know How to Ask For. Christianity is not a rules-based religion. Only God can make a garden grow. It’s easy to think of the fruit of the Spirit and other Christian virtues as applying to some abstract realm, rather than being the character qualities we are to manifest every day, in all areas of life — which includes our work. The first thing that we must realize is that we need the Holy Spirit … When we nurture our relationship with God, we have access to the Son, and we water our lives with his Word. From eating disorders to “road rage” to violence in schools—the evidence of the lack of self-control is everywhere. We must begin the lifelong work of submitting all of our life under God’s authority. The fruit is initially a seed, then a seedling, then a sprout, until it’s a fruit (ripe for picking!). Growing in the Fruit. We’re all in this together. Actions are planned daily for highest yield. It just cannot be done. As we yield to the Holy Spirit and allow his fruit to be evident in our life, bearing good fruit becomes easier but it is never easy. Fruits of the Spirit – Bible Verses. We can show extraordinary love to those around us especially those we are in relationship with. God bless you! Thanks. So ask the Holy Spirit to fill you freshly today with new strength. God bless you. We must begin the lifelong work of submitting all of our life under God’s authority before we will see any lasting fruit. Just like in nature, our spiritual growth takes time. Yours is a nice add on to self-control being last and holding it all together. Ask Him to help you grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Yes, we can try to force the fruit of the spirit in our lives, but doing so will be a trying experience. This initial step happens when we believe (Ephesians 1:13-14). So we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, when we make a conscious decision to follow Christ and let Him be the Lord of our lives. Charity nearly always means “love” when it is referenced in the Bible. Most of us spend lots of time and effort working on our self-control, endeavoring to be kind, or searching for peace. What is the Fruit of the Spirit and How Do I Grow It? We’ll become gentle in our disposition; we will find joy in the mundane; situations will try our patience but we’ll change our perspective and begin to recognize the blessing in longsuffering. As we grow closer to Him each day, He will work in us and develop love, joy, and peace. The only way to produce the Fruit of the Spirit is to have the Holy Spirit in you. Growing the fruit of the Spirit in my life was the Holy Spirit's job. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control: These traits are essential to the Christian life, and we need an extra dose of them in our parenting and teaching. 1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. These are not nine fruits; this is one fruit with nine flavors. Either way, we see the plurality involved. Pray About It. Verena says: June 14, 2019 at 7:13 am. We come into spiritual community and grow under the learning of other believers. Reply. Now that we know what Paul means by “fruit of the Spirit,” let’s look at what will help us as the Spirit produces the fruit in us. Teaching is my ministry. Copyright © 2021, iBelieve.com. A prolific thinker, she blogs to encourage others from a Christian perspective at www.lifenotesencouragement.com. What Is Purgatory and Is it in the Bible? May each one learn to walk in spirit and truth, to grow in grace, be endowed with godly wisdom, depend on Your all-sufficient strength and come to an ever-increasing knowledge of their Lord and … What Should a Wife Do When Her Husband Is Cruel? Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. I hope that this prayer encourages you to find strength in the Lord to grow closer to Him each and every day. I teach children in Church, Bible clubs and at school. But again, they don't become visible overnight. The Holy Spirit may choose to grow the fruit of peace in my life, joy and patience in you, and faithfulness and love in your neighbor. Photo Credit: Martin LaBar (going on hiatus) via Compfight cc. 10 Ways God Draws Near and Gives Himself to Us in Times of Tragedy. She likes to have fun but is very clear on who she is and Whose she is. All we need to do is keep learning, growing, and depending on Him. Just like in nature, the seeds have everything for a plant to begin growing and make more fruit. Have … They are His fruits to grow as He sees fit—for the benefit of the believer, the church, and God’s kingdom. I can’t produce peace by planting anger in my heart or the hearts of others. The Fruits of the Spirit are seeds that are planted once we surrender our lives to Jesus. While growing in the fruit of the Spirit may not be easy, it is very important for those who follow Christ. If we just try to teach them to be loving, kind, and good, we won’t get very far. It’s like a rubber band ball tightly woven together, each band interconnected. Almost all these fruits we grow and nurture in relation to others. How to Show Real Love to our Students (Even When They’re Not Acting Lovable), Help Your Kids Experience the Joy of Giving this Christmas, 7 Books You Don’t Want to Miss (They’ve Changed My Life). Trying to instill these traits into our lives on our own is like trying to grow apples without an apple tree. But when we try to develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we are missing the whole point. For one, God wants us to be like Him. May our surrender to the Holy Spirit bring about the protection of all the other growing fruits of His Spirit! In Galatians 5, Paul wants to make sure that people know how to spot the evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. So instead of trying extra hard to be good, we must instead focus on our relationship with God. Seek God, and His Spirit will produce its fruit. We have to exercise faith and believe that we have everything we need for growth. Throughout my coaching program, I have had my own personal coaching week in and week out, for over six months. We renounce old sin tendencies and through the power of Christ’s strength, learn to walk in obedience. We learn to give each other the benefit of the doubt even though we may get hurt. Teach your children how to pray, read the Bible with them, and always be talking about God and His truths. In order to grow in the Spirit we must first remember what Paul states so clearly in the next verse. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. I believe that when God calls us to teach, He promises the strength & wisdom to do it well. Personally, since God is love, I believe the fruit of the Spirit is love, and the other eight graces reveal the richness of that love. Our suffering may soften us so that we can now encourage another in the same boat. Nylse is a Christian wife and a mother of four who loves life and inspiring others. Please log in again. We won’t see evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives the second we surrender our lives to Christ. Growing the fruit of the Spirit is like growing a muscle. As we choose to mature, we will see evidence of this growth and the impact it makes on others. She likes to have fun but is very clear on who she is and Whose she is. Thank you and God bless ♥️. Producing the desired Fruit of the Spirit meant planting the right seeds. Everyone needs kindness. Our growth will make us more compassionate, more empathetic, kinder, more joyful, more peaceful, and gentler, with the common strand of love. As we grow, we’re gentle with others and we’re not so hard on ourselves. You can be sure that He will. He loves to help His children become more like Jesus. The key to cultivating the fruit of the Spirit isn’t really much of a secret; we just seem to so easily overlook it. God is love. The fruit of the Holy Spirit –which is evidence of transformation– is totally the work of God, who produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit naturally, spontaneously, and without effort on our part. We’ll struggle to keep our peace, remain faithful, live joyfully, respond in love and more. We won’t only give money to the homeless man on the corner but we’ll practice loving our difficult family members and truly forgiving them when we are wronged. I grew up in a dairy and farming community, so I know the value of choosing good seeds and planting them in good soil. I'm here to provide practical advice and Biblical encouragement so you'll have the confidence and perspective to not only inspire your students but reach their hearts as well. But how did these qualities become a Christian to-do list? The Fruit of the Spirit is produced by the Holy Spirit, not produced by you. These character traits are fruits (results) of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit must be grown by the Holy Spirit in our lives. Fruits of the Spirit indicate a relationship with Christ. We cut ourselves and each other some slack. Bibles. Charity to … These characteristics aren’t suggestions or possibilities; they are aspects of the mind of God.