BODY LIFE FOR CHRIST-LIKE LIVING
The fruit of the spirit is not separate fruits to pick and choose, but the fruit is a nine-fold fruit that characterizes the true Christian life. The fruit of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) are visible attributes and manifestation of a transformed, new life in Christ. All Christians should be collectively producing these fruits in their new life in Christ. As you mature and grow in Christ, the fruit will become more evident. Conduct an honest examination of yourself to see if any of God's fruit is exhibited in your life. Read Galatians 5:22 about the fruit of the Spirit.
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Spiritual Nutrition for the Inner Man: Fruit of the Spirit
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Love - Greek: Agape
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." We are to love the Lord, ourselves and others. Love is the greatest of all virtues. No matter how much fruit you produce, how many goals you achieve and all the work you accomplished in the Lord, it will mean absolutely nothing to God, if it was not done in the spirit of love.
Joy - Greek: Chara
Nehemiah 8:10 - "The joy of the Lord is my strength." God imparts His divine joy right into your personality, and His joy will give you the strength to face any situation, no matter how hard, tough or difficult life can get, you can go through with it with a great surge of His strength. Joy is defined as "cheerfulness or calm delight;" however, it has nothing to do with your emotions. Joy is something that is manifested in the spiritual realm; it is a supernatural joy that gives spiritual strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Long Suffering (Patience) - Greek: Makrothumia
Ephesians 4:1-2 - "I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." Patience helps you to forbear and forgive others. Long suffering is a fruit that you cannot produce of your own self, but comes from the Holy Spirit. The real test of patience is beng mild, gentle and constant in all circumstances. The test of patience is not in the waiting, but how you ACT or BEHAVE while waiting. Developed patience is the ability to put up with things WITHOUT losing your temper. James 1:4 - "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing." Reaching this point of patience is a process, however, we can enjoy life right where we are while we are in the wait.
Peace - Greek: Eirene
John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." God's peace surpasses natural understanding, it's uncomprehending how you can have such a peace when things go wrong in your life. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The world defines peace as the absence of trouble, problems and issues, but as long as we live in a fallen world, we are not exempt from problems or can we live trouble-free lives. No matter what happens in your life or this world, DO NOT let your heart be troubled or afraid, walk in the peace of God, for if you keep your mind on Him (the Lord), He will keep you in perfect peace!
Goodness (Kindness) - Greek: Agathosune
Luke 6:27 - "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you," Loving your enemies, those who are unlovable and those of the household of faith produces this fruit. Loving people who loves you back does not produce characteristics of the Spirit, but showing love in the face of opposition displays the character of God, who loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentence, so do good unto ALL men. Galatians 6:10 - "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
Gentleness - Greek: Chrestotes
Proverbs 15:1 - "A soft (gentle) answer turneth away wrath, but grievious (harsh) words stir up anger." Gentleness is not being weak, but is strength under control. Gentleness allows us to be caring and nuturing toward others. Jesus modeled gentleness and care by consistently placing the needs of others before himself which is what scripture commands from us as His believers.
Faithfulness - Greek: Pistis
Hebrews 11:6 - ""Without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." ​ We are to be a people of faith because without faith, it's impossible to please God. We are to live to be God-pleasers and not man-pleasers. Faithfulness is making a decision and adhereing to your decision regardless of what your feelings tell you. We walk by faith not by feelings, for feelings are unstable, they waiver and change, but faith is unchangeable and does not waiver and faith is not unstable. James 1:6 - "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
Temperance (Self-Control) - Greek: Egkrateia
I Corinthians 9:25 - "And every man that strives for self control is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." Control over the whole man (spirit, body & soul) helps us to life a victorious life. A person who has self-control is mild and calm, avoids extreme behavior and exercises self-restraint in actions and speech. Ephesians 5:18 - “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit", It is not the mere exercise of self discipline to remove or control our lives, it is the voluntary submission of our will to the will of the Holy Spirit within us, born out of “Love” for God.