The Fruit of The Spirit
By understanding the nature of "fruit", one can thus understand better what being filled with the Spirit entails.
On the Theological Aspect of Fruit:
The phrase “fruit of the spirit” comes from Galatians 5:22-23: “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.” --You may have heard about the fruit of the Spirit and wondered what it is and how it relates to being a Christian. In Paul, the presence of the Spirit in the life of the believer results in the presence of the "fruit of the Spirit". Just like an apple tree produces apples, a person filled with the Spirit will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
The Spirit is the holy presence of God while the concept of fruit is a major theme throughout the Bible. God is not only Creator and Provider of all fruits in nature (the sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food), but also in the spiritual realm where He additionally performs a cleansing work to increase the fruit. In this spiritual realm, “fruit” has to do with character traits and sanctification. To be filled with the Spirit has less to do with giftedness but more with holiness of character.
This sanctification process is illustrated by the properties of the growing and maturing of the fruit. To be fruitful is not a goal in itself but has the purpose of glorifying the Father, proving to be Jesus's disciples, preparing the harvest for the Second Coming, and determining one's true essential nature.
Those who are in Christ are distinguished from unbelievers in that they have been gifted with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to bear fruit. Jesus’ disciples are expected to be fruitful. This fruitfulness is only possible in union with Christ. In John 15:1–8, Jesus draws on his famous metaphor of the vine and branches. Jesus is the true vine, and the Father is the vineyard keeper (15:1). Unfruitful branches are removed and all fruit-bearing branches are pruned in order to produce more fruit (15:2). No branch is able to bear fruit unless it remains on the vine—unless it remains in Jesus (15:4). Nothing can be done apart from Jesus (15:5). Jesus’ Father is glorified by branches that bear much fruit and prove to be Jesus’ disciples (15:8).
Later on, in Galatians 5 where Paul describes the "fruit of the Spirit," he uses nine distinctive behaviors which indicate how a fruitful Spirit-filled life can be obtained so that God’s holy character can be restored in the life of the person – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – that is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life.
Love: In Galatians 5:22-23, love is translated from the Greek word ἀγάπη, (agape). Greek has multiple words for love including eros, which is sexual love, and philos, which is brotherly love. Agape is perfect love that only God can give. In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant ‘love’ and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential ‘love’ in them towards the Giver, and a practical 'love’ towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.
Joy: In the same passage is χαρά => Chara is often translated to joy or delight. It is often seen in the Bible with gladness. It is the realization of God’s favor and grace in one’s life. Biblical joy is happiness that is not dependent on our circumstances.
Peace: The Biblical concept of peace, εἰρήνη (eirene) in Greek, is inclusive of life without conflict, as well as wholeness and harmony with God and others. “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6). Peace is a result of allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and minds. When we have peace, we are free from fear and worry about finances, our safety, our salvation, and our eternal life. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is seen in the peace that comes even when our circumstances are far from tranquil.
Forbearance: μακροθυμία (makrothumia) is not a word that most of us commonly use. The Greek root of this word relates to two words that mean long and passion. The Greek word in Galatians 5:22-23 is often translated using other words such as patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, longsuffering, and slowness in avenging wrongs. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to withstand challenging situations with perseverance and endurance. Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to wait longer before indulging our passions- we become “long-tempered” rather than “short-tempered.” Paul used this word when he was describing Jesus’ patience with him. Like Paul, we have all benefited from Christ’s immense patience with us. The evidence of the Holy Spirit in our life is also seen in our ability to persevere, be patient, steadfast and long-tempered. Ephesians 4:1-2 encourages us to “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Kindness: χρηστότης (chréstotés) conveys the meaning of moral goodness, integrity, usefulness, and benignity. In the King James Version, this word is translated into “gentleness,” which links it to the meaning of a gentleman or a gentlewoman, someone who behaves properly, with moral integrity and kindness. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance, not judgment. The Holy Spirit enables us to have moral integrity with kindness and not get trapped in self-righteous judgment.
Goodness: ἀγαθωσύνη (agathosune) means uprightness of heart and life, goodness, and kindness. Goodness is seen in our actions. This word relates to not only being good but also doing good things. The Contemporary English Version of 2 Thessalonians 1:11 highlights this meaning, “We pray for God's power to help you do all the good things you hope to do and your faith makes you want to do.” Through the Holy Spirit's work in Christians' lives, they are upright in heart, and they do good things.
Faithfulness: πίστις (pistis) is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Faithfulness is a character trait that combines dependability and trust based on our confidence in God and His eternal faithfulness. In the New Testament, faith is the belief in God and the conviction that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation. “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
Gentleness: In the King James Version, πρᾳΰτης (prautes) is translated to “meekness”. However, being meek seems weak, modern translations of the Bible use gentleness to mean mildness of disposition. Nonetheless, meekness does not identify the weak but more precisely the strong who have been placed in a position of weakness where they persevere without giving up. The use of the Greek word when applied to animals makes this clear, for it means ‘tame’ when applied to wild animals. In other words, such animals have not lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others.
Self-Control: ἐγκράτεια (egkrateia) is the ability to control one’s body and its sensual appetites and desires – physically and mentally – through the power of the Holy Spirit. Self-control relates to both chastity and sobriety, and particularly moderation in eating and drinking. Self-control is the opposite of the works of the flesh that indulge sensual desires.
In the three verses prior, Galatians 5:19-21, Paul contrasted the acts of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like to the good fruit of the Spirit.
While most Christians associate the work of the Spirit with supernatural exciting manifestations, it actually has to do with holiness of character. The work of the Holy Spirit during the latter rain is to prepare the character of God's people for the kingdom of God.
On the Philosophical Aspect of Fruit:
Fruits are a highly nutritious, delicious, and convenient addition to any diet. Fruit usually means fruit in the sense of edible fruits and vegetables, but it can also be translated as offspring, deed, action, result, or profit. In an agrarian society, fruit is a good thing; it is the result of hard work and careful tending. Today we might use the word “fruit” in a phrase such as the “fruit of our labor” to communicate the results of our effort. Even if we don’t harvest strawberries or apples, we can have “fruit,” something to show for our work, in a paycheck, a finished project, or even a baby.
Fruity recipe of the day =>Chilled Peach Soup with Fresh Goat Cheese:
This sweet and tangy summer soup is made by marinating fresh peaches overnight with dried apricots, honey, vinegar, and olive oil and then pureeing the mixture. Since peaches can vary in flavor, I suggest seasoning with vinegar to taste as you puree.
*Suggested Pairing* Pairing wine with soup can sometimes feel like too much liquid at once, but in this case, a glass of Champagne gives a nice lift to this fruity soup.
Ingredients: 3 cups sliced peeled peaches (about 4 peaches), ¼ cup finely diced peeled seedless cucumber (plus thin slices for garnish), ¼ cup finely diced yellow bell pepper (plus thin slices for garnish), ¼ cup diced dried apricots, 2 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons crumbled fresh goat cheese (plus more for garnish), ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar (plus more for seasoning), ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling), Kosher salt, 1 large garlic clove, 2 cups diced baguette (1/ inch), basil leaves (for garnish), and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 1
In a bowl, toss the peaches, diced cucumber, yellow pepper, and apricots. Add the honey, 3 tablespoons of goat cheese, 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Add the garlic. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Step 2
Discard the garlic. Transfer the contents of the bowl to a blender and puree. Add 1/4 cup of water and puree until very smooth and creamy; add more water if the soup seems too thick. Season with salt and vinegar. Refrigerate the soup until very cold, about 1 hour.
Step 3
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add the diced bread and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the croutons to paper towels and season with salt.
Step 4
Pour the peach soup into shallow bowls and garnish with the sliced cucumber, sliced bell pepper, goat cheese, croutons, and basil. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, season with black pepper, and serve.
The Fruit of The Spirit
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