Fruit of the SpiritMonnie with Odell and Selva at an Ellijay Apple House

My wife's parent's, Odell and Selva really enjoy visiting the apple houses in Ellijay at harvest time. The apples are great, and the cider is fresh. There are also apple butter and fried apple pies! It's a great family trip. The abundance of apples and apple products on display were evidence of a tremendous amount of work during the harvest season. Their labor was certainly fruitful.

Paul writes to the church at Galatia about another kind of fruit in Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.

God wants our lives to fruitful. In fact the nine spiritual fruit listed in this passage are evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. I believe we can ask ourselves some questions that shed light on the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

1- Am I motivated by love for others?
2- Do I demonstrate unshakeable joy regardless of the circumstances?
3- Do others see my inner peace and take courage?
4- Am I longsuffering waiting patiently for results?
5- Do I demonstrate kindness being caring and understanding
toward others?
6- Do I manifest goodness wanting the best for others?
7- Do I demonstrate faithfulness keeping my commitments?
8- Is there gentleness, manifesting strength under control?
9- Do I have self-control being disciplined to attain godly goals?

I think these qualities describe the character of Christ, and the more like Him we become the more we will demontrate the fruit of the Spirit. Let me encourage you to grow in Spirit. Have a blessed day.