What Does Spiritual Fruit Mean in the Bible? Galatians 5:22-23

What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Fruit?

The phrase "Spiritual Fruit" is not mentioned in the Bible. However, the "Fruit of the Spirit" is. Therefore, if you hear someone talking about Spiritual Fruit, it is more than likely they are talking about the Fruit of the Spirit.

The Fruit of the Spirit is something that is virtuous, cultivated, and considered the result of a life lived in alignment with the Holy Spirit. While primarily associated with Christianity, the essence of the virtues of the Fruit of the Spirit transcend religious boundaries and can be appreciated by individuals from all walks of life.

If you find yourself feeling an emptiness inside as you seek out meaningful connections in your life, allowing the Holy Spirit to work within you will bring about change. If you would like to know more about evidence of the Holy Spirit working and Spiritual Fruit, this article was written for you.

Fruit of the Spirit Fruit

What are the Fruits of the Holy Spirit Scripture KJV?

The Fruits of the Spirit are produced in a Christian's life through the work of the Holy Spirit, which was given to us by God.

Following is scripture from the Bible that talks about the Fruit of the Spirit. This translation is from the King James Version of the Bible:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, , against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

When you acknowledge, embrace and meditate on the Fruit of the Spirit, your relationships with people, and your view of the word at large will be transformed.

What is at the core of the Fruit of the Spirit?

The Bible does not mention a "core" fruit. However, many would argue that at the core of the Fruit of the Spirit is love. Love is a virtue highly emphasized by Jesus Christ while he taught here on Earth. In the Gospel of John in the Bible, Jesus declares, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34, NIV) Therefore, many would argue that love is the foundational Fruit of the Spirit. By centering our relationships on love, just as Jesus did, we lay the groundwork for connections that that go beyond the surface.

Fruit of the Spirit Joy

What are the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit in order?

Words used for the Fruit of the Spirit may vary slightly depending upon which translation of the Bible you are reading; Following are the Spiritual Fruits listed in the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible:

Love: Unconditional love is the cornerstone of spiritual growth. Love for God, others, and yourself. Ways to cultivate love are by practicing compassion, empathy and forgiveness.
Joy: Joy comes from a heart that is content, along with a grateful attitude. Living in the present moment while finding joy in the small things can help create a deeper sense of happiness.
Peace: When we accept the natural flow of life, a sense of inner peace will arise. Pray, meditate, and be mindful if you seek to calm the storms within.
Forbearance (Patience): Enduring adversity with grace is the art of patience. When we cultivate forbearance (patience), we learn to trust in God and His plan for our life.
Kindness: Being kind to others can create a positive chain reaction. Small acts of kindness have the power to transform the person being kind and the person receiving the act of kindness.
Goodness: Goodness stems from the desire to do what is right. You show goodness when you live by ethical principles and strive for moral integrity.
Faithfulness: Faithfulness requires loyalty and trust. Be faithful to your own values and commitments and faithful to God as well.
Gentleness: Being tender and understanding is at the heart of gentleness. We should be gentle with our own self and with others.
Self-Control: The ability to manage your own desires and emotions is what it means to practice self-control. Self-control gives us the ability to make rational choices and not be ruled by our impulses.

How to Develop the Fruit of the Spirit

"You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." (Romans 8:9 NIV)

One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into our life is to change it. The Holy Spirit conforms us to be more like Christ. This contrasts with acts of the sinful nature. (See Galatians 5:19-21)

Fruits that reflect our sinful nature are produced by our flesh. The Holy Spirit produces fruits that are reflective of its nature and causes us to be transformed and live a new life. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Sinful flesh battling against the new nature given by Christ is a large part of the Christian life. We may be Christians, but we remain trapped in a body that desires sin. Christians are to live lives that allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more fruit. In doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to conquer our sinful desires.

What are the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22?

In Galatians 5:22 (NIV) the Apostle Paul wrote, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," in Galatians 5:23 (NIV) he goes on to write, "gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Following is a chart of the Fruit of the Spirt listed in both Galatians 5:22 (NIV) and Galatians 5:23 (NIV) with short definitions:

*Type of Spiritual Fruit:*	*Meaning:*
*Love*	True love knows no conditions and is sacrificial.
*Joy*	An inner gladness and contentment given to us through the Holy Spirit
*Peace*	A sense of harmony, tranquility, and well being
*Forbearance (Patience)*	To have patience is to utilize endurance and forbearance in challenging situations.
*Kindness*	Genuine concern and good will toward others
*Goodness*	Moral excellence, virtue and righteousness
*Faithfulness*	To be faithful is to be loyal, reliable, and trustworthy.
*Gentleness*	To be gentle is to exhibit meekness, humility, and behave in a way that is considerate of others.
*Self-control*	Discipline over one's impulses and desires

Fruit of the Spirit Kindness

What are the results of the fruits of the Holy Spirit?

Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit is the journey of a lifetime. The journey is about making progress and striving for perfection, while knowing perfection is not possible for us in the flesh. We continue to strive out of love for God, others and ourselves. As we continue growing, we become better versions of ourselves. Spiritual Fruit not only enriches our spiritual life but affects our relationships and health as well.

When the fruit of the Spirit is evident in a person's life, it reflects a transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit dwelling within. Here are some general effects or outcomes associated with the presence of the Fruit of the Spirit:

Inner Peace: The presence of the Fruit of the Spirit often results in a sense of contentment and inner peace. This peace is rooted in God and transcends circumstances of the outside world.
Empowerment for Christian Living: The Fruit of the Spirit provides the strength and guidance that is necessary to make it through the challenges of life, make sound choices and stay faithful to God.
Spiritual Growth: As you grow in your relationship with God, you will begin to see signs of spiritual maturity. These qualities will become more evident as you grow closer to Him.
Witness to Others: When the Fruit of the Spirit is evident in your life, it can serve as a great example and testimony to others. The presence of the Fuit of the Spirit can inspire you to share your Christian faith by demonstrating kindness, love, and other virtues.
Character Transformation: The Fruit of the Spirit represents virtues and positive character traits. As these qualities develop in an individual's life, they become more Christ-like, exhibiting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Alignment with God's Will: The fruit of the Spirit reflects a life aligned with God's will. As you submit to the Holy Spirit's work, you will be more likely to follow God's guidance and live in accordance with biblical principles.
Improved Relationships: The Fruit of the Spirit promotes healthy and positive relationships. Kindness, gentleness, love and patience lead to more positive interactions with others, which fosters a sense of understanding and harmony.

Conclusion:

Cultivation of the Fruit of the Spirit is a lifelong process, and not everyone grows at the same rate spiritually. If we want to grow spiritually, we must keep the Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit at the heart of our life and relationships, while honoring the teachings of Jesus Christ. In so doing, we create spaces where love, joy, peace, and other virtues can flourish. The love we give, and relationships we foster, can be a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our prayer is that everyone comes to understand the meaning and significance of the Fruit of the Spirit, intentionally sows seeds of the fruit, and reaps a harvest that reflects the abundant life promised to us by God.