The fruit of the Spirit refers to the virtues of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility) and self-control. When you display irresponsible behaviour, pride, expressions of enmity, lack of love, and other works of the flesh (Galatians. 5:19-21), you are lacking the fruit of the Spirit.
If you have been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are eligible to receive the things of the Spirit of God. You must be willing to let the Holy Spirit produce these virtues within you (Gal. 5:22,23).
What Scripture Says
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22,23).
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.... If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16,25).
"If you love Me, keep My commandments.... He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:15,21).
"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper"
(Psalm 1:3).
How To Receive The Fruit Of The Spirit
In the life of the Christian, there is a law at work which is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). When you submit to and apply this law in your life, the Holy Spirit can begin to manifest the fruit of the Spirit within you
(Romans 8:4).
As a Christian, you should seek the fruit of the Spirit, which is the nature of Jesus being produced within you. Scripture makes it clear that total surrender to Christ and His Word opens the way to the life of fruitfulness and spiritual productivity. In practical ways, you should put into action the admonition given in Ephesians 4:21-24: to rid yourself of all old deceitful desires, attitudes, practices, etc. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who works within you to present you blameless and holy unto the Lord.
It is important to understand that the Holy Spirit produces the fruit or qualities of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). How does the Spirit do this? You can find the answer by studying all Bible references which relate to the fruit of the Spirit. For example, see Isaiah 26:3 about "peace" and Romans 5:3 about "patience."
When God commands you to love Him and your neighbour, this is in a very real sense a promise that the Holy Spirit will produce that love within you. Yet there are practical steps you can take to allow Him to do this. Select someone whom you should genuinely love, but don't. Now ask God to give you a great love for that person. Then ask Him to show you how you can bless him or her.
While waiting on the Lord to give you a genuine regard for the person, begin to list all his or her good qualities. The more praiseworthy things you discover, the more aware you will become of what God sees in that individual. The more you are aware of what God sees, the more you will find yourself rejoicing with love for that person. Be sure to tell the person of your experience. Share the praiseworthy things you have discovered.
As you receive love, you will also receive the other fruit of the Spirit, including goodness, kindness, meekness (humble submissiveness to God) and faithfulness toward the person and toward God. Jesus says that when you have done something for one of His, you have done it for Him.
When you have the fruit of the Spirit operating in your life, no one can find a reason to accuse you before God. You will find yourself able to get along with others and, in turn, they will be able to get along with you.
As You Pray
Ask God to reveal any sin in you. Repent. He will cleanse you of that hindering sin. Then you should ask for the fruit of the Spirit. Commit yourself to a life in the Holy Spirit. He will then reveal practical ways you can obey Him and use your God-given abilities to help you mature spiritually (Hebrews 5:14). This process is a result of your obedience and commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Praise and thank God for the grace that will help you to become more like Jesus in character.
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