The Bible says, “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” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Luke 6:43-45 says “no good tree can bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” A good person brings good things because good things are in his heart, and evil things out of evil things stored up in his heart.
Bad fruit are acts of the sinful nature such as sexual immorality, drunkenness, filthy language, fits of rage, evil desires, idolatry, impurity, jealousy, witchcraft, orgies, slander, selfishness, ambition, anger, greed, envy, hatred, deceit, to name a few. We should thrive daily with the help of the Lord to seek all the fruit of the Spirit.
Scripture Verses on the Fruit of the Spirit:
Love Joy Peace
John 3:16 Luke 10:12 Romans 14:9
John 15:9 John 17:13 I Corinthians 14:33
John 15:12:4 1 Peter 1:8-9 Philippians 4:6-7
Patience Kindness Goodness
Proverbs 14:29 Titus 3:4-5 Titus 3:4-7
Proverbs 15:18 Ephesians 2:6-7 Galatians 6:910
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Jeremiah 9:23-24
James 5:8-9
Faithfulness Gentleness Self-Control
Hebrews 3:6 Matthew 11:28-30 Luke 22:41:42
Proverbs 3:3 Philippians 4:4-5 Titus 2:11-12
Revelation 2:10b 1 Peter 4:7
Revelation 19:11a
John 15:4-5 says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Prayer:
Lord, I feel lost and overwhelmed. The world seems out of control and full of evil doers. Life is filled with deception and wickedness in high places. Please help me to remember that You are always in control and that You made this world and declared it was good. Lord give me Your comfort and peace in times as these and the confidence to trust You in these troubled times. Help me to follow You as I move forward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
All Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
By Constance A. Burns, Contributor for NAAV Spiritual Readings and Moments of Meditation; email: cburns@naavets.org