Fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22 NIV

Delicious Fruit

There were two large apple trees in the backyard of my childhood home. One tree produced Red Delicious fruit, and the other a Golden Delicious variety. There was such an overabundance of fruit those first years that my mother collected the fruit and made our favorite treat of apple crisp.  Her collection being so significant that the unused fruit rotted on the counter, attracting gnats.

Sadly, there were a few years that the trees produced lovely, edible fruit without black spots and rot.  One day, while playing near the trees, I asked my mother why we no longer had apples to pick for her delicious apple crisp.  She told me that no one had cared for the trees, so they no longer bore good fruit. As a child, I pondered this, and it saddened me that the lovely fruit was gone. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, …yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

Plentiful Fruit

Years later, my maternal grandparents moved from the Midwest and settled down south in the Sunshine State.  They found employment and serenity while enjoying sun-filled days in the center of citrus groves. Grandma ran the little country store while my grandfather tended to the groves. In the early         
years, Grandma always had a pitcher of hand squeezed orange juice in the refrigerator and told us that “people here drink it all day long.”  It was sweet nectar, delicious and satisfying. Interestingly, though, the oranges collected from the groves were not the shiny, bright fruit that I was accustomed to. This fruit was dull and dirty looking, not glossy, bright, and polished like the fruit displayed under spotlights in the Winn-Dixie.  Although the exterior of the citrus wasn’t as attractive, when it was ripe, the fruit was sweet and satisfying to the taste. Sunshine in a glass.

There were hundreds of variations of citrus trees, all producing different distinctions of fruit. There were Navel’s, Tangelo’s, Tangerine’s, and Ruby Red Grapefruit, to name only a few. The varieties were marked with old wooden signs.  Some varieties were sweeter; others were bitter and not used for food but for fragrance and perfumes. A lot of the oranges solely used for huge orange juice processing plants in the center of the state.

For whatever their purpose, this multitude of fruit had been planted, tended, nurtured, and harvested, without fail, producing bountiful abundance year after year.  “A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:7-9.

 Fruit as a Gift

A beautiful arrangement of fruit is delightful to look at and well appreciated when received. This practice has become big business. We order lovely presentations tied up with bows, beautifully arranged, for friends and family to celebrate events and milestones. This is a thoughtful way to encourage health and wellness as well as being a delight to the senses. But what about the humblest of fruit offerings, without bows and ornate presentation, given in genuine kindness and love?

While teaching English overseas one summer, my students arrived early, greeting me with “Good Morning Teacher,” and joyful smiles all around.  This was a soothing salve to my worn-out teacher heart and mind, accustomed to blank stares and apathy in my classroom back home.  My students’ enthusiasm and motivation to learn the English language encouraged me, lifted my spirits, and gave me hope.

One morning, a student presented me with a plastic bag.  “For you, teacher,” he said with a grin.  Peering into the bag, I discovered a plethora of fresh apricots. “From my home,” he added, “my trees.” A huge smile spread across my face. “How lovely, thank you,” I replied.  Later that day, on my trek back to my living quarters, I proudly carried my gift of apricots. How delicious and sweet the fruit was as I enjoyed its goodness, handpicked just for me. This selfless gift of love and kindness continues to be an enduring fruit in my life.

Another occasion included a class celebration at a student’s family home. A lavish table was set with delectable fruit and sweets served on lovely platters, with teacups, saucers, and ornate teapots on display. The meal, unrushed and joy filled, with much conversation and laughter, was lovingly prepared, allowing a precious opportunity to enjoy community with new friends. These humble, expressions of love settled into the recesses of my core, spurring me on to reciprocate these beautiful expressions of sincere goodness. Yet, along with spiritual fruit, sadly, we humans are often drawn to the acts of the flesh, the human attraction to those acts that harm, rather than heal.

Spiritual Fruit or Acts of the Flesh

Paul explains to us in the book of Galatians how as Christ followers, the flesh and the spirit are in a non-stop struggle for our attention.  He goes on to convey that the acts of the flesh are always contradictory to those of the spirit. Galatians 5:17

Paul explains, “The acts of the flesh are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21NIV

While some of the acts Paul mentions need no explanation, I took to my old friend Merriam Webster to get clarification on a few of the terms.

Debauchery: noun: extreme indulgence in bodily pleasures and especially sexual pleasures: behavior involving sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. that is often considered immoral

Discord: noun: lack of agreement or harmony (as between people, things, or ideas)

Dissentions: noun: disagreement, especially partisan and quarreling

Factions: noun: a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking.

Paul puts it plainly here and it is not an easy verse to ruminate upon. Paul’s ending statement cuts right to the heart. “I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Discord and dissention can begin so easily. Conversing with others can easily lead to these acts of disharmony, as I reflect on my own actions.  Sensing the Spirit beckoning me to take pause with my words is a humbling experience. Unkind words on the tip of my tongue, ready to launch, may be suddenly paused by an interruption or a change in thought, gently guided by the Spirit.

I have come to accept that these bittersweet moments are opportunities to thank God and praise him for reminding me to keep my mouth shut when words are unnecessary. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV

Developing Fruit

As I yearn to draw nearer to Christ, He leads me to be more fruitful in my daily walk with Him.  Some habits that I am integrating into my life help me to be more fruitful.

*Waking early and getting into Scripture first. Making a conscious effort to put The Word before any social media and news.

* Writing or journaling each morning along with the Scripture reading. Jotting down a scripture verse, observations, and how it is applicable is a great way to begin this practice.

*Stretch daily, take the stairs, park further away from the entrance than necessary, and move my body. Moving when I am feeling down elevates my mood.

*Treat my body like the temple that it is. Fill my mind and body with good, nutritious food and stay away from excessive news, social media, and television.  Read good books and articles that are healing and helpful for my mind.

*Do everything as if I am doing it for the joy of the Lord. Be a light in my church community and neighborhood. Volunteer and serve where there is a need.  Smile, pray, listen, and be an encourager.

Do I succeed in these habits every day? No way!  I am a sinner in constant need of my Savior Jesus.  However, these are my daily goals. Following these habits enables me to navigate stressful, challenging days with more energy and forbearance.  Tenderly, we must care for our own body, which is our temple.  If we do not, we may suffer the consequences today and into the future.

I pray that you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you through your daily life journey. Pray for His guidance, accept God’s grace, and start fresh from this moment. Do not wait until Monday, a new month, after the big event…Begin now, and watch how your spiritual fruit grows.

Heavenly Father, we desire to produce more fruit for your kingdom.  Lord, keep our minds and bodies from acts of the flesh and guide us to be fruitful in our daily walk with you. We desire to be more like you, Lord.  In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen