Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV: 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.…

One of the more radical changes that Christ brought about with his birth, life, death, and resurrection was a shift from external laws to internal transformation. This is good news, and yet without a checklist of right and wrong actions, we sometimes struggle.

When the standard for “goodness” was specific and detailed, like what’s outlined in the book of Deuteronomy, it was easier to judge ourselves or others on how they “measured” up. The most significant of these requirements in the Old Testament was circumcision. That all changed with Jesus. Paul explains in Romans 8:29 that “circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.”

What, then, can we look for as evidence of heart circumcision and signs that Christ dwells within us and His Spirit is working to transform us? This verse says it all. This list is one of the most important tools to help us visualize what a spirit-filled Christian looks like. These are some challenging virtues! As I worked on this art piece, I intentionally spent time choosing a specific fruit to symbolize each trait. Can you guess what’s what?

At first, the artwork was just the fruit, beautiful and symbolic. However, it was unsatisfying and lacked meaning. It took me several days until it hit me. What links each of these traits is that they are relational. These are not private virtues for isolation but lived out toward others. My artwork needed people!

In other words, as we look at our interactions with others – family and friends, but also the disinfranchised, difficult to be with, and even people we dislike – that’s when we really notice if the fruits of the spirit are alive in us.

Ultimately, why does this matter? Jesus is very specific when he says in Matthew 7:20, “So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.” It is these exact virtues that reveal to the world who follows Christ and who does not.

None of us possesses all these character traits perfectly, and we’ll encounter some that we struggle with. Acknowledge that today, and ask God to keep transforming those challenging areas in you.