Article written by: Sister Myrtice Robinson
“Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.” (Matthew 12:33 CSB )
Jesus said mankind is known by their fruit. “The Apostle Paul mentions “the fruit of the Spirit” that Christians should work to cultivate in their heart and mind.” Apostle Paul lists nine behaviors in 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.” These are the result from the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life.
The Fruit of the Spirit can be broken down into three groups of three characteristics. The first group is Love, Joy, and peace and these are attributes given by God. According to scriptures they were given through the Holy Spirit. Roman 5:3-5 (NIV) states, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” In addition, Roman 15:13 states, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
God wants us to enjoy life on earth as we follow the ways of Christ. He sent His beloved Son, Jesus, to die for us so our sins would be forgiven and we might live life more abundantly. Then, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to us to comfort and guide us. It was in the Upper Room where Jesus revealed to the disciples that a close fellowship with Him is vital to bearing spiritual fruit. It reflects faithfulness, respect, and godly conduct of the Christian and in building the kingdom of God.
And, Love is first, because our heavenly Father is LOVE. 1 John 4:7-12 (NIV)states, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” Love is the most important of the nine because without Love the others behaviors cannot manifest. It is stated in 1 Corinthians 13:1: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Without love, our good works are irrelevant; they have no use on earth because LOVE glorifies God.
Robert Strand said in his devotion series of Nine Fruits Of The Spirit, “Love is an action directed to another person that is motivated by our relationship to Jesus Christ and is given freely without a personal reward in mind.” Love is good living. Genuine love is more than affection or sentiment; it boldly takes a stand to care for others in an unselfish way, even if they do not fully appreciate it at the time. Love is the Fruit of the Spirit.”
Joy is the Fruit of the Spirit
I remember Shirley Caesar singing a song with these words, “This joy that I have the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away.” (https://youtu.be/VmCYo7tX0jY) Joy comes from God as a result of faith and obedience. John 15:10-11 states, “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.”
The dictionary defines joy as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. (Oxford Languages) The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy is deeply rooted inside of all believers because Joy is the “Fruit of the Spirit” and the Spirit is God, The Holy Spirit. The spiritual meaning of Joy expresses God’s goodness and serenity. According to Psalm 30:11, “You {God} have turned my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” Joy is dwelling in God’s presence; King David said in Psalms 16:11, “You {God} make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Joy opens up a sense of purpose and hope because “For His (God) anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. “Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5 CSB). For the children of God, the power of Joy is never-ending! Because the joy that is present in God is not “still” it transforms and regenerates us. Hallelujah! Glory to our Living God Jehovah! And yes, joy has power because God is all powerful, therefore, Spiritual Joy can bring healing, happiness, strength, peace, love, harmony, forgiveness, freedom, prosperity and family blessings!
Romans 15:13 states, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Rick Warren gave us this definition of joy: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
Yes, Joy is the “Fruit of the Spirit” which is The Lord and the gladness of the heart comes from having a personal relationship with Him, abiding in Christ and The Holy Spirit indwelling in you.
Remember, joy comes from the brightness, the glow of God Himself and He shares His Joy with us if we believe and obey! (references: John 15:10 and Romans 15:13)
Oh, it is the Peace of God that rests believers’ souls. Peace, the “Fruit of the Spirit.” The Bible describes peace as the result of having a righteous relationship with God and with others (reference Romans 5:1-2 and Romans 12:18).
What is Peace? It is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit; therefore, if you are a believer, a follower of Christ, the Peace of God will dwell in you through the precious Holy Spirit.
What does this peace feel like? The Bible describes the peace of God as the contentment and calmness of body, mind, and spirit that surpasses earthly conditions, trusting in God’s power and grace. Scriptures state: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:7 and “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Jesus gifted all believers peace according to John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” Believers can surrender all their cares to God. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” That’s peace and I can feel the peace. “For the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.” (1 Peter 5:10).
In conclusion, to maintain God’s perfect peace, one needs to have a “made up mind” to put forth a great effort to desire positive thinking according to Philippians 4: 8. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” So, real peace comes through accepting God through our Lord Jesus Christ as Romans 5:1
assures us of it by saying, “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
For the first group of the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy and Peace given to all believers by God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Love, Joy, and Peace with God is by faith not by performance. For Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. 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.( Reference: 1 Corinthians 13-4-7). The Joy of the Lord is your strength( Nehemiah 8:1), and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Be cautious of sin, it will destroy your love, Joy and Peace.
Love you my sisters and brothers in Christ, may God’s love, joy, and peace be with you all the days of your life.
References; The Holy Bible (Christian Standard Bible)
The Holy Bible (NIV)
Nine Fruits of The Fruit By Robert Strand
The Book of Hope By Tyndale House Publishers
Article researched and written by Sister Myrtice Robinson
Grandmothers of Hope Society Ministry