“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….”
Jesus is the trunk of our tree and we are the branches. The fruit of a tree grows on the branches, not on the trunk.
The nine fruit mentioned here are the fruit that God grows in your spirit. By the work of the Holy Spirit, which His presence within us accomplishes, the fruit is grown in us to be tasted of by all who have contact with us.
The Message Bible says: “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”
This is character fruit. It isn’t fruit of what you do, but of who you are. It is God’s will and desire that all His kids will develop these characteristics in their personal lives. Your character speaks louder than your ministry. So be a fruit-bearing branch.
I’m in fellowship with Jesus today. I don’t walk in darkness but I walk with Him.
- Reading Plan A: 1 John 4
- Reading Plan B: Psalms 139-140
- Reading Plan C: Daniel 5-6; 1 John 4
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.