How to work in the fruit of the Spirit

Gal. 5:22 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Here are the crucial steps on how to cultivate these fruits of the spirit in your daily life.

1. 1

   Be a loving person. Paul says in Cor. 13, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." To see how loving you are, try doing a self-assessment and ask yourself if you are all these things. Are you patient? Are you kind? Do you not envy? etc.

   • Also one of the greatest commandments is to love others. "Greater love hath no man that this; that he lay down his life for his friend." Jesus set the example for us of how to love by dying for us. The Bible says, "We love because he first loved us."

2. 2

   Have joy. It is impossible to feel perfectly happy everyday. Life is hard sometimes, and it has a way of making us down at times. But joy is different than happiness. Joy is more like a subdued peace or calm. It is a feeling that everything will be ok despite what happens.

   • The Bible says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." The more that you are able to have joy, and not let yourself be depressed, the more strength you will have to tackle life. Happiness and joy often times are a choice.
   • We can't control what happens to us, but we can control whether or not we will let things steal our joy. Don't let things steal your joy. Learn to stay relatively happy with life no matter what happens.

3. 3

   Stay at peace. We also can chose to stay at peace no matter what happens. The Bible says that we are not to "take offense." We can chose to let things get to us, or we chose to not let them. Don't let people get under your skin. Don't let people affect you so much. Learn to stay at peace no matter what.

   • Recognize that God will "work all things together" for your good. The more you are able to trust God, the more you will be able to stay at peace.
   • Also there is the verse, "Do not be anxious for anything but in everything, by prayer and petition present your requests to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." We are to have peace in Christ. We are to let him "lead us beside still waters" and "restore our soul." God does not want us to run ourselves ragged. He wants us to rest in Him. To be still and know that He is God.
   • The main way to truly have peace is to follow God's commandments. The Holy Spirit will convict us when we stray and this will keep us from being able to have peace. So "fear God and keep his commandments" and you will have His peace "that passes all understanding."

4. 4

   Have patience with others. Don't rush people. Don't demand that they do things quicker etc.

   • We are to have patience with other people even when they hurt us. We know that God is still working on all of us so this means not having unrealistic expectations of others. We are to have grace and peace with ourselves and others. The more we have patience with ourselves, the more we can with others.
   • Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We need to recognize that, even though we are saved, we still battle with the flesh. None of us are perfect. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Recognize that you will sin, that it is a fact of life, and you will then be able to have more patience with yourself. Spiritual growth is a process. Also recognize that others will sin against you. It is inevitable. But God will give you the strength to be patient with others and forgive them.

5. 5

   Be kind. Be polite. Say please and thank you. Don't interrupt others when they are talking. Really, really listen to people. Don't be loud and obnoxious. Be quiet and humble.

   • Kindness is the opposite of being rude. It is "to do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It is esteeming others as better than yourself. It is respecting others, valuing them, protecting their feelings. It is being gentle with the others and not being quick to judge them.
   • It is trying to always say things that will build that other person up. "Let your conversation be always full of grace" Paul said. Kindness is speaking with grace to others. It is having a soft heart. It is being compassionate with others as Jesus was. Remember to be kind to everyone you interact with today and people will see God in you.
   • A great quote is, "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words only when necessary." How do we preach the gospel at all times? By being kind to others.

6. 6

   Be a good person overall. Try to be good. No one can be perfectly good except for God, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't still try. To be good is to follow God's commandments as best as we can. To be good is to be in right standing before God and others. To be good is to be above reproach. To have a good name. To have a good character and reputation.

7. 7

   Be faithful. Here are some practical ways to be faithful to others: Be dependable. Be on time. Stay committed to your spouse. Be committed to your friendships. Stay in touch with your parents and siblings etc.

   • Jesus said, "Let your yes be yes." We are to do what we say we are going to do. We are to follow through on commitments. We are to say what we mean and mean what we say. We are to not be flaky or halfhearted in our commitments. We are to be like a rock or an oak tree.
   • The world is generally scattered and can be all over the place, but Christians are called to be firmly planted and rooted in Christ and in His word. We are to be different. We are to be faithful to others and to God.

8. 8

   Be gentle. Don't be easily angered; be slow to anger, as God is. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Learn to be submissive when you need to. Be gentle with other people's hearts and feelings; treat them the way you would want to be treated.

   • Gentleness is like how one must interact with a young child. There is a quote, "In order to treat everyone in your life better, picture them as a young child or an elderly person." Having this mentality would make us much more gentle with others. It would make us more gracious and kind and humble in our interactions.
   • To be gentle is to not be proud, to not insist on your own way. It is to be soft with others. To be tenderhearted and kind.

9. 9

   Have self-control. Don't believe Satan's lies that you can't control yourself. Any Christians with the Holy Spirit has the ability to control themselves.

   • Self-control is often the one that most Christians struggle with. It can range from our eating habits to the thoughts we allow ourselves to think. It can be related to activities we choose to do etc. The key is to not let ourselves be mastered by anything. Good things can become idols when we do not have self-control with them.
   • A good way to grow in your ability to have self-control is by fasting. Fasting is the best way to keep your body in check and to learn to say no to your body. It trains you to not give in to every desire that you have. In 1 Cor. 9:27 Paul says, "I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." It is very necessary that we have mastery over ourselves and fasting can be a great way to accomplish this.

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"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33)

Christ said we are known by our fruit, so what are the good fruits to aspire to? The Apostle Paul mentions the "fruits of the Spirit" that Christians should work to cultivate in their heart and mind.

In the book of Galatians, Paul lists nine specific behaviors – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – that are the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life. 

Where are the 'Fruits of the Spirit' in the Bible?

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.”

The Greek word καρπός that we translate “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.

Understanding that “fruit” in this verse can mean “deed, action, or result” helps make this verse more personal. The result of the work of the Spirit in a believer’s life is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.

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.

What Are the Nine Fruits of the Spirit?

The Apostle Paul states the following nine gifts or "Fruits of the Spirit" that result from true repentance, turning away from our sinful ways towards love for God and neighbor:

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,” according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary.   

Love for God and others is the result of receiving God’s perfect agape’ love. Jesus encouraged his followers:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11).

2. Joy

Joy in this passage is χαρά. Chara is often translated as joy or delight. It often is 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. We are encouraged to:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:1-2).

3. 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. A life of peace is safe and secure both physically and mentally. 

“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 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. Jesus encouraged his followers in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

4. Forbearance

Forbearance μακροθυμία (makrothumia) is not a word that most of us commonly use.  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. 

The Greek root of this word relates to two words that mean long and passion. 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 (μακροθυμία) with him.

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

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 patience, steadfast and long-tempered. Ephesians 4:1-2 encourages us to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

5. Kindness

Kindness χρηστότης (chréstotés) conveys the meaning of moral goodness, integrity, usefulness, and benignity. In the King James Version this word is translated “gentleness,” which links it to the meaning of a gentleman or a gentlewoman, someone who behaved properly, with moral integrity and kindness.   

Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is God’s compassion that leads us to repentance, not judgment. The Holy Spirit enables us to have moral integrity with kindness and not get trapped in self-righteousness judgement.

6. Goodness

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.

7. Faithfulness

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)

8. Gentleness

Gentleness πρᾳΰτης (prautes) was translated as “meekness” in the King James Version, but because being meek seemed weak, modern translations of the Bible use gentleness to mean mildness of disposition.

Baker’s Evangelical Bible Dictionary explains, “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.”

Jesus describes himself as gentle in Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

9. Self-Control

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, particularly moderation in eating and drinking. Self-control is the opposite of the works of the flesh that indulge sensual desires.

As Galatians 5:16 says “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

How does the Holy Spirit Relate To These Fruits?

The Spirit is the holy presence of God. The Greek word πνεῦμα (pneuma) has multiple meanings including breath, spirit, or wind. It is most commonly used to describe the holy presence of God on earth, but New Testament writers also used this word to describe the wind, other spirits including angels and demons, and even the human soul or disposition.   

In Galatians 5:22, the phrase “fruit of the Spirit” is specifically referring to the Holy Spirit.

As believers in Jesus, Christians are given the Holy Spirit to lead them and empower them. In Acts 2:8, Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Fruits of the Spirit indicate a relationship with Christ. Ephesians 1:13-14 explains that the Holy Spirit is an inheritance given to believers in Christ that guarantees their relationship with Christ. "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

In Galatians 5, Paul wants to make sure that people know how to spot the evidence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The result of the Holy Spirit in their lives will be good things like love, joy, kindness, and self-control. 

He also wants to make sure that Christians know that evil actions like sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies are not the work of the Holy Spirit.  The fruits of the Spirit are evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians.

Download our free PDF for Living By the Holy Spirit Power - A Prayer and Scripture Guide

Did Jesus Talk about the Fruits of the Spirit?

Jesus didn’t use the phrase “fruit of the Spirit,” but he often mentioned fruit in his teaching. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Fruit is evidence of being connected to Christ, just as branches of a tree or a grapevine have to be connected to the trunk in order to bear grapes or apples.   

In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus warned his followers to be wary of false teachers, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

Prayer for Guidance from the Holy Spirit

Sources

• BibleHub.com, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: karpos: fruit, makrothumia, pneuma
• BibleStudyTools.com, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Galatians 5:23
• BibleStudyTools.com, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; Holy Spirit, 1; Temperance
• BibleStudyTools.com, New Testament Greek Lexicon: Agathosune, Egkrateia, Eirene, Makrothumia, Makrothumos, Pistis, Prautes
• BlueLetterBible.org, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of new Testament Words, Love.

Penny Noyes, M.Ed. is the author of Embracing Change - Learning to Trust God from the Women of the Bible and two books about Hezekiah. You can follow Penny on her blog and on Instagram @pennynoyes.

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