“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22–23
The fact that this verse begins with the word “but” tells us that the Spirit of God is contrasting something. The contrast is between the works of the flesh listed in verses 19–21:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
These two lists stand in sharp contrast to one another. Someone has said that “they stand like two military forces opposed to one another on the battlefield,” which is a fitting illustration, since earlier in this chapter Paul the Apostle stated that “the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17). Then, in verses 19–21, Paul lists fifteen examples of the works of the flesh, concluding with “and the like,” implying that the list could continue.
“But the fruit of the Spirit…” Let us ask the question: What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Notice first that it is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruits of the Spirit. The word is singular, with nine aspects that are to be displayed in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. It is the life of Christ in me being lived out through me.
In Gospel of John 15, the Lord Jesus spoke of bearing fruit, bearing more fruit, and bearing fruit that remains. He reminds us that the only way we can bear fruit to the glory of God is by abiding in Him: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the life of Christ in an individual. These characteristics flow together from the heart of one who is walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16) and allowing the Spirit of God to lead them (Gal. 5:18). Romans 8:14 reminds us, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Anchor For Today:
When we are led by the Spirit, His fruit will flow from our lives, demonstrating that we are living in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). This is not meant to be something mystical or merely spectacular; it is to be the living reality of the life of Christ flowing out through us.