Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit (1) is love (2), joy (3), peace (4), forbearance (patience) (5), kindness (6), goodness (7), faithfulness (8), gentleness (9) and self-control (10). Against such things there is no law.” The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a Christian. The Bible (11) makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ (12) (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian’s life is to change that life. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him.
 
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is in direct contrast with the acts of the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: 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. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” This passage describes all people, to varying degrees, when they do not know Christ and therefore are not under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Our sinful flesh produces certain types of fruit that reflect our nature, and the Holy Spirit produces types of fruit that reflect His nature.
 
The Christian life is a battle of the sinful flesh against the new nature given by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). As fallen human beings, we are still trapped in a body that desires sinful things (Romans 7:14-25). As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us and we have the Holy Spirit’s power available to conquer the acts of the sinful nature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13). A Christian will never be completely victorious in always demonstrating the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the main purposes of the Christian life (13), though, to progressively allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more of His fruit in our lives—and to allow the Holy Spirit to conquer the opposing sinful desires. The fruit of the Spirit is what God (14) desires our lives to exhibit and, with the Holy Spirit’s help, it is possible! (a)

~ BIBLE VERSES ~
 
FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Fruits Matthew 3:8, Matthew 7:16, Matthew 12:33, Luke 8:14-15, John 15:1-8, Romans 1:13, Galatians 5:22-26, Ephesians 5:8-11, Philippians 1:8-11, Philippians 1:22, Colossians 3:12-15, Hebrews 12:11, Hebrews 13:15, James 3:18.
 
Love Deuteronomy 10:12-19,  Deuteronomy 11-13:22, Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:17, Matthew 22:37-39, Mark 12:31, Luke 6:35, John 3:16, John 15:13, Romans 5:5, Romans 12:9, Romans 13:10, Romans 15:30, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Galatians 5:13-14, Ephesians 4:2,  Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:33, Colossians 3:14, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 2:5, 1 John 2:9-11, 1 John 3:11-18, 1 John 4:7-11, 1 John 4:16-21, 1 John 5:1-3.
 
Joy Romans 5:2, Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians 6:10, Philippians 1:18-19, Philippians 1:25, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Peter 1:8, 1 John 1:4, James 1:2-3.
 
Peace Proverbs 12:20, Isaiah 54:10, Matthew 10:34-36, John 16:33, Romans 8:6, Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 1 Peter 3:11.
 
Forbearance (Patience) Romans 2:4, Romans 3:25, 2 Corinthians 6:6, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 1:11, Hebrews 6:12, James 5:7-11.
 
Kindness Proverbs 31:26, Luke 6:35, 1 Corinthians 6:6, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 1:5.
 
Goodness Exodus 33:19, Psalms 23:6, Matthew 12:35, Romans 8:28, Romans 15:14, Galatians 6:10, James 3:13, 1 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 1:5.
 
Faithfulness 1 Samuel 26:23, Psalms 40:10, Psalms 89:2, Isaiah 11:5, Lamentations 3:23, Hosea 2:20, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
 
Gentleness  Titus 3:2, Matthew 11:29-30, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, James 3:17, 1 Peter 3:15.
 
Self-Control Proverbs 25:28, Titus 2:11-13, Matthew 6:13, Romans 7:18-19, Philippians 4:8, 2 Timothy 3:3, 2 Peter 1:5-7.

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The narrative (a) offered herein has been published with permission (b) and no monetary gain is being sought. Footnotes within the narrative have been inserted by The Marion County Manna Project and re-direct to our webpages (unless otherwise noted) for additional spiritual insight and reflection.

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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (15). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (16) (e) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (17), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (18), Discipleship Encounters (19) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
 
Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.

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FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-holy-spirit
  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/love
  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joy
  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/peace
  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/patience
  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/kindness
  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/goodness
  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/faithfulness
  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/gentleness
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/self-control
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-bible
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
 
PAGE CREDITS:

  (a) "What is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit?", Got Questions Ministries, accessed November 11, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/fruit-of-the-Holy-Spirit.html
 
  (b) Copyright Policy, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 11, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/about.html
 
  (c) Videos, Milestones, Blogs & Poster, BibleProject, accessed September 29, 2020,
https://www.bibleproject.com/terms/#use
 
  (d) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020, https://www.biblegateway.com/

 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
  (e)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020    https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html