Got Fruit?

There’s no law against what the Bible lists as fruit of the spirit.

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

Nine simple items that, if followed, will change lives.

On the other hand, the fruit of the flesh can be found in several laws.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: (Galatians 5:19-21a KJV)

For some of these, laws have been changed, become lax. For others, laws are stringent and harsh. There is a greater cost described for those who grow these fruits.

of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21b KJV)

It really is easy to measure one’s actions and determine their fruit. The list is available for anyone to see. We’ve been given instructions on how to discern good from bad, flesh from spirit, right from wrong. To have this knowledge and not use it is sin.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17 KJV)

Hatred is wrong. To hate is now a sin. Strife is wrong. To cause strife is now a sin. Yet it remains much easier to engage in hate and strife than it is to be longsuffering and meek.

What grudges are we holding on it? I’m not saying we weren’t wronged, but why are we allowing it to affect our lives when the person who wronged us doesn’t even think about it? I could give examples from my own life – yes, I did carry some grudges – but you have your own that are much more personal. I’ve set aside my grudges, determined not to carry that burden with me. I no longer have room for hatred.

Most of the flesh list not only harms us but damages others, too. Same with the spirit list – we are not the only ones helped. Every fruit of the spirit does us good, and those around us.

Got fruit? From what tree? Christ spoke of false prophets in these verses, but they are good for any fruit inspection:

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Matthew 7:16-18 KJV)