Fruit of the Spirit Scriptural Passages

English Standard Version (ESV):
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

King James Version (KJV):
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Introduction to Scriptural Passages on Fruit of the Spirit

On the subject of fruit of the Spirit, Scripture shows “fruit” in two contrasting definitions: one, the result of effort, and; two, the effects of the indwelling Holy Spirit in a believer’s personality and life.

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

The fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians Scripture passage, by contrast, aren’t based on effort. They’re a natural outflowing of Godly characteristics manifested by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22, 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The above contrasts work together, hand in hand: showing Christ in you helps lead others to Christ.

The work of the Spirit in the believer is both profound and sublime: carrying the Message to others isn’t a matter of force or argument; rather, the Spirit is the One who opens hearts to the Message. So the spiritual fruit you portray while communicating with others is of utmost importance because it’s what people can see, hear and feel – even when nothing is spoken. It could be as simple as a smile or just being courteous.

A believer’s personality ought to always draw people closer to Christ, writes Elizabeth Hemen, in her book, Jesus with Skin.

Fruit from Effort

Bearing fruit from effort is referenced in Scripture as a desirable behavior by the regenerated believer.

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Growing Fruit in the Lord

Scripture gives us directions for producing fruit in the believer’s life. Doing equals effort, but relying on Christ is even more important.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

Isn’t Hebrews 12:2 comforting – knowing that we can look to the Author of our faith instead of relying on ourselves?

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Abiding in the Vine

The world might lean toward “fake it until you make it,” but our Lord Jesus Christ clearly indicates in John 15:4 that, “the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Being faithful to God’s plan for the believer’s life means submitting to His plan in every area of one’s life.

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

The Fruits of Righteousness

The indwelling Holy Spirit generates Godly character in numerous manifestations, and one of the most important is love.

Love weaves through the entire Bible, and in the New Testament we see clear instructions for believers and how they ought to fellowship with their brothers and sisters in church:

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Phm_1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Light in a Dark World

For believers to effectively bear fruit and show the fruit of the Spirit, we can look at the first of the spiritual fruit: love.

Christians are commanded to love they neighbor as thyself (one of the two great commandments from our Lord).

Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

There’s a whole world out there that needs comfort in Christ – regardless of whether they’re interested in what we have to say.

Out there awaits a population driven to distraction, materialism and artificial substitutes trying to fill the God-shaped hole in peoples’ hearts. We’re not supposed to be nice just to our friends at church but rather everyone we encounter in our daily walk.

That’s a plan we ought to submit to, and it’s one full of blessing:

Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.