\”But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites\”. (Galatians 5:22-24)
The fruit of the spirit as have been enumerated in the book of Galatians 5:22-24. They are actually a supernatural gifts that can only be experienced and exercised if the Spirit of God dwells in you, that\’s the only way you can feel the impact within you and since it is a fruit it means it\’s expected to have a seed that will be sown to produce it\’s own kind that is why our Lord Jesus Christ say by their fruit ye shall know them. You will know them by what they do.
\”Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. (Matthew 7:16-20)
These fruits ought to be desired if truely you\’re a child of God and filled with the Holy Ghost. What separates a man who has one or more attributes of this fruit is in the way of handling issues when face with some challenges of life situations, you see him manifesting according to that which is inside him, the fruit of the spirit is a way of life to those who have it, it become your nature, you don\’t force or fake it, it just flows without being manipulated for instance there are people who no matter what you do to them they find it very difficult to show love back or appreciate others no matter how far you can go in trying to please such a person, he will always grumble.
Do you know that Judas Iscariot was the one holding the purse during Jesus\’ ministration while on earth yet in every little opportunity he wants to express how bad he felt about a given situation. When Jesus was worshipped and adored by a woman with an expensive oil Judas was jealous and out of mind of ingratitude despised the gesture as was recorded in the book of mark 14: 3-6. Thus:- Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon, a man who had suffered from a dreaded skin disease. While Jesus was eating, a woman came in with an alabaster jar full of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus\’ head. Some of the people there became angry and said to one another, “What was the use of wasting the perfume? It could have been sold for more than three hundred silver and the money given to the poor!” And they criticized her harshly.
But Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a fine and beautiful thing for me……. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus to them. They were pleased to hear what he had to say, and promised to give him money. So Judas started looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them.. (Mark 14:3-6; 10-11). This is a good example of a man who do not have love for other yet Love covers multitude of sin..
Joy is a spiritual thing ,is not an emotional based feeling unlike happiness which is feelings prompted by things seen and touched which can disappear as soon as it fades away. Joy actually is not the absence of suffering rather it gives you the ability to hold on there trusting God for a relief, it shows the presence of God\’s Spirit within you and that\’s why even when things goes wrong you don\’t complain negatively rather you will be hopefully that no condition is permanent because the joy of the manifestation of God\’s miraculous moves in your life will surpass this sorrow incounted. \”Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God\’s throne\”. (Hebrew 12:2).
If you are a man of joy when others will be saying there\’s a casting down, you will be saying there\’s a lifting up. You are not perturbed because the joy of the Lord is your strength and being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time. Joy for instance is not a gift, is a matter of choice so refuse to be sad , learn to endure any form of insult so that you can get at the result and it is joy that equally can fuel your faith.
While l leave you with these few points on the fruit of the spirit by highlighting on Love and Joy next time l may continue with the other fruit of the spirit if time permits. Howbeit, note that joy is not dependant on happenings around you rather it is a state of being joyful within you which can only be retained by the presence of God so exercise your spirit in the Holy Ghost by mediating on the word of God always
\”You will show me the path that leads to life;your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.\” (Psalm 16:11)
As You Read May You Be Richly Bless.