Fruit of the Spirit

Oh how I need these. All the time. Right now.

Love

According to the Greek definition, this actually means a love which centers in moral preference. Preferring another above yourself. Acting for them whether or not it is beneficial to you. It's self-sacrificial love.

This love says, I could live for myself, and do what is best for me, but because I love you I prefer to help you, to see that you are blessed.

Joy

Literally meaning "grace recognized", this is the fruit of the Spirit that acknowledges God's favour. This living joy is the awareness of God's grace. God has done so much. He has given us His favour, and to recognize that is to be joyful. It means saying, "no matter what is going on in my life right now, I know that You, Lord, have given me Your grace. I know that You are with me, and so I am content."

Peace

Another fruit that stems from the knowledge of grace recognized. Peace literally means "wholeness", as in all essential parts being joined together. When we recognize the grace of God in our life, that He is with us, that He governs our lives according to His infinite mercy, it becomes very difficult to worry or fret.

Patience

Long-passion. This means waiting a long time before expressing anger. Not flying off the handle. It means saying, "I could let my temper go right now, and give you a tongue-lashing fit for the dictionary example, but I will not. I will restrain myself."

It means avoiding a personal reaction, taking the time out to consider the circumstances without dwelling upon personal wounds. According to biblos.com, it is being "long-tempered".

Kindness

Kindness, as my pastor always says, is love with hands and feet. It is having time, and talents, and it is using the time and those talents to serve others with a compassionate heart. Being kind is being well-fit for use. For obeying the command of God and offering service to others. It means being helpful.

Goodness

This is talking about a personal quality of goodness. It emphasizes the kindly side of goodness rather than the righteous side of goodness. Goodness, again, means acting in a way that is beneficial. It is evidenced in spiritual excellence, which is in itself evidenced in the virtue of kindness.

Faithfulness

This is having faith, being persuaded to believe that God is God. According to biblos.com, it is a divine persuasion, involving human confidence. God reveals Himself, and faithfulness means being confident in what He has revealed.

Gentleness

The concept of gentleness, when you really think about it, gives the idea of restraint. As in, "I *could* crush your bones, but I won't, because I love you". It is restraint and self-control. It is care, like a mother caring for her newborn, or someone handling a thin glass vase, or a gardener tending to fragile little flowers. Gentleness, as an idea, does not mean weakness. It means power that is kept under control.

Self-control

This really means self-domination. It is mastering yourself, so that you can be patient rather than exploding in a temper, or you can be gentle rather than crushing someone's bones. It proceeds "out from within oneself, but not by oneself". As God gives us the grace to love, and reveals Himself so that we may be joyful, so He enables us to control ourselves so that we do not cause harm, dissension, or bitterness. He helps us control our malicious leanings. He helps us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

May God grow this fruit in me!