But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
The Spirit produces in the believer one beautiful character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. This fruit grows only as the soul abides in Christ in living daily union, drawing life directly from Him, and never by talent, learning or human effort. It is the proof of true conversion and sanctification, the outward sign that the law is written on the heart and that Christ dwells within. It stands in direct contrast to the works of the flesh, so that hatred, strife, envy, impurity and selfish ambition show the Spirit is not ruling. Where it is present it is seen in everyday life in kind courteous words, patience under trial, self-denial, unity with brethren and purity of body and mind.
Names of the Fruit
The fruit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering or patience, gentleness or kindness, goodness, and faith or faithfulness, with meekness and temperance or self-control named with it as the qualities produced in the Christian life by the Spirit. Those who live in the Spirit must also walk in the Spirit, having crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts and refusing vainglory, provoking and envying, and against such fruit there is no condemnation of the law. These graces are the principles of God's law put into practice, marking a changed life in which old things pass away and pride gives way to humility, drunkenness to sobriety, and impurity to purity. When they abide they bring unity of thought and action and exert a telling influence on the world, and through Jesus there is grace and strength to live godly even while bearing the cross and burdens with happiness and peace.
The love named is pure and unadulterated love coming from Christ's heart, lifted out of passion and impulse and made spiritual, sanctified, tender, thoughtful and unselfish. It is not love-sick sentimentalism, not beastly defiling lust that destroys purity of mind and body and brings death to soul and body, and not misdirected sentimental attention that harms others. Rightly directed sympathies express love for God and the Saviour in visible fruits, in courtesy, kindness, forbearance, patience, pity, gentleness and meekness like Christ, with no bad temper, impatience, fretfulness or rude harsh manners. Such love yearns to bless others even at inconvenience to self, curbs evil propensities by daily effort through the strength of Jesus alone, and stands opposite adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, hatred, strife, envyings, drunkenness and the other manifest works of the flesh that bar from the kingdom of God.
Love is the opposite of hatred, joy is the opposite of discontent and mourning, and peace is the opposite of irritation, anxiety and manufactured or needless trials. The fruit is not gloom or sadness but belongs in every person who forms part of God's temple, each perfected in a distinct place yet joined in a unified shining whole. It is the character of those emptied of self and filled with Christ, changed into His image by beholding Him, given new spiritual life, new motive power, faith working by love and purifying from moral and spiritual defilement, enjoyment of spiritual things, no confidence in self, and constant unfolding of truth. As evidence of the Spirit's work in the heart it equips for earnest labor with God and faithful service.
Longsuffering or patience is shown by bearing annoyances, trials, injuries and abuse patiently, keeping feelings calm and unstirred when facing terrible statements and crooked human material. Meekness is the loveliness of Christ formed by the Spirit, enabling control of a rash, impetuous, hasty temper and bringing thoughts and words under God's will until the heart is filled with patience and gentleness. Those naturally sour or hasty gain self-control by earnest daily effort and prayer for strength and grace, overcoming what is unlovely and unlike Jesus to become more like the divine pattern. Patience with self-control is to be seen in a living example that draws rather than drives, and faith, longsuffering and gentleness are to be had and longed for more and more.
Faith is a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit working on the mind, dwelling in those who receive the Spirit and moving them to cooperate with God's work. Genuine faith is inseparable from repentance, transformation of character, overcoming of character weaknesses by resisting inclination and impulse, and bringing forth this fruit. Kindness is a Christian grace whose possession is made visible by its fruit. Meekness and humility mark true sanctification rather than boastful self-righteousness.
Temperance or self-control belongs together with love, joy and peace as fruit covering bodily life as well as spiritual life, meaning health of body as well as health of mind. It includes refusing to defile the body as the temple of the Holy Ghost, with strict compliance with Bible requirements bringing blessing to soul and body. Daniel's self-control in resisting Babylonian food and drink shows religious principle enabling youth to overcome bodily desire and remain true to God even at great personal cost. The Bible is the standard on this subject, and its teaching has vital bearing on prosperity in all relations of life.
The fruit is beauty of character produced by the Spirit's work in the soul, more precious to God and more valuable than earthly wealth, learning, status, impressive buildings, achievements winning human applause, outward beauty, display or mere neatness. Outward excellence matters only when it expresses what is unseen and eternal, and Christian faith must shape ordinary household work while cleanliness remains secondary to godliness. In the converted life self is no longer supreme, Jesus has first place, greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease and wealth are no longer sought, reproach and neglect no longer rule, and love extends beyond family and friends to cherish Christians as bearing the Master's image and to do good to all mankind.
These graces are the Christian's crown and shield and elements of character, bringing contentment and helping children flourish when they shape life at home. They do not depend on circumstances or on human will or imperfect judgment but are bestowed when earnestly desired, with the Saviour pitying human weakness. A peaceful, contented mind overcomes timidity, fear, loneliness and rigid preference for a small circle, while restlessness, homesickness when chosen companions are absent, and a restless spirit seeking change of place or work without change of heart show lack of the Spirit, faith, confidence in God and the truth's purifying influence. Contentment, kindness, patience and helpfulness where one already is prove the fruit, requiring self-examination in the light of the Word and working to the point of need before seeking advantage elsewhere.
Abiding in Christ Alone
The fruit grows only by abiding in Christ as the branch abides in the vine, in living, continual, daily and hourly union, drawing life directly from Him and not from another branch. It is borne only by those who remain vitally connected with Jesus, strive to keep God's commandments through His imputed righteousness, and trust His promises with the mind stayed on Him. Without Christ nothing can be done, but those united to Him represent Him and glorify God in body and spirit as His purchased property, showing pure words, unselfish planning in meekness and lowliness, and hearts softened with sympathy, love and compassion. Bearing it is inseparable from a purified heart, a circumspect life, and abilities rightly used rather than seen through worldly eyes, and mere profession without it does not show abiding in Christ. Giving in to impatience drives the Spirit from the heart and makes room for selfishness and evil, while fruit-bearing requires actively cooperating with God and keeping the soul in His love and faith.
The fruit never comes by talent, eloquence, ambitious mastery of controversy, selfish ambition, or studying the Scriptures from pride. Mere Bible knowledge begun in ambition and carried forward in pride leaves the soul destitute of divine love and of the gentleness and meekness of Christ, and does not make a person wise unto salvation or a true Christian. Where the Spirit is present He regenerates the heart, creates love to God and conformity to the image of Christ, and imbues the soul with the love of Christ that always shows itself in love to those for whom He died. Self-control practiced without special grace rebukes those who have access to strength and grace yet do not show these graces, for Christ is the model of meekness and lowliness to be imitated and overcome as He overcame.
The Spirit is not to be used by the person but is to use the person, fashioning the new man created in righteousness and true holiness after Christ's likeness. Working out salvation with fear and trembling means letting God work within both to will and to do of His good pleasure, in contrast to a pompous, overbearing spirit and to vainglory, provoking and envying. His life-giving power, proceeding from Christ and given to every disciple, pervades the soul as juices rise from root to branch, making new the motives and affections and even the most secret thoughts and bringing forth holy deeds. By yielding to His control wrong tendencies are overcome, thoughts are brought into obedience to the divine will, and the person becomes an instrument revealing God's goodness and love. When the human will is committed to God and what is right, the fruits appear in the life, and the divine nature with God's freely given gifts becomes known through receiving His Word.
The fruit is the fruit of faith grounded in Jesus, for genuine saving faith rests on His righteousness and comes with personal knowledge of God. When church members have this experience Christian virtues become visible and their lives aim to glorify God each day. Emptied of self and filled with the Spirit of Christ and changed into His image by beholding Him, the believer receives new spiritual life, new motive power, and faith that works by love and purifies from moral and spiritual defilement. That faith brings enjoyment of spiritual things, no confidence in self, constant unfolding of truth, and earnest labor with God speaking solid, pure, sacred things to His glory. Those so filled are safe in Him and show the new life in Christ, with love instead of hatred, joy instead of discontent and mourning, and peace instead of irritation, anxiety and manufactured trials.
The fruit comes through receiving the truth as it is in Jesus, receiving, believing and obeying His word, and becoming thorough students of the Bible and doers of the Word in obedience to all God's requirements. Study of the Word changes the whole character, gives constant growth in holiness and grace, purges selfishness, passes old ambitions away in the new birth, and reveals refinement and true godliness with love, joy, peace, longsuffering and gentleness. Spiritual life is sustained by spiritual food, even Christ's words, and the gospel believed and lived gives health and vigor so disciples grow like Him and bring the perfection of His character into unselfishness, integrity, kindness and love. It comes also by putting aside feeling and selfish desires, walking humbly, appropriating His promises on every occasion, and relying entirely and trusting implicitly upon God's faithfulness to work out His plans in the heart by sanctification of character. As flowers draw from earth and air to develop into pure buds, believers draw peace, comfort and hope from the promises, appropriating them to carry the fruit into others' lives.
The fruit comes in answer to earnest, united prayer in one accord, when believers feel spiritual need, cease evil-speaking, and cry with intense earnestness for power to overcome infirmities, for Christ's love shed abroad in the heart, and for fitness to save others. It is received by hiding in Jesus and abiding in Him, looking constantly to Jesus instead of others' faults, purifying the defiled soul temple, and asking the Father for the Holy Spirit in earnest, humble, steady, constant faith, for He is more willing to give than parents are to give good gifts. The love of Jesus then purifies what is objectionable, expels selfishness, envy and evil-speaking, and works radical transformation into a new creature with old things passed away. By yielding to grace the graces develop as naturally and beautifully as a lily grows and blooms, produced by God's word and life-giving power. As received, the graces ripen in unselfish love and labor for others, so faith increases, convictions deepen, love is perfected, and Christ's pure, noble and lovely character is increasingly reflected.
Growth in the fruit requires mastering a science deeper, broader and higher than any human science, with the mind disciplined, educated and trained to serve God against inborn inclination. It requires overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, often discarding lifetime training to become a learner in the school of Christ, educating the heart to steadfastness in God, forming habits of thought that resist temptation, and learning to look upward. Every act, word and thought is to be brought into accord with the principles of the Word, which are as high as heaven and compass eternity, and courage, fortitude, meekness, faith and unwavering trust in God's power to save belong to these graces.
The fruit is not developed in a moment but is acquired by years of experience through a life of holy endeavor and firm adherence to the right, by which destiny is sealed. It is sown in the character day by day as part of sanctification, a progressive lifelong work requiring continual effort. It is to be cultivated as part of daily growth so believers may be formed without fault before God's throne.
Proof of True Conversion
The fruit is the evidence and proof of true conversion, renewal, sanctification and Christlike character, revealing whether profession is genuine. A temper ruled by anger, malice, hatred, strife and envy cannot produce it, for those who belong to Christ must crucify selfish desires and walk in the Spirit. The fruit shown in words and actions reveals whether profession of faith is genuine, and those who claim to believe the truth but lack it show the carnal mind still remains. The lack is exposed by the test of trial and affliction, when impatience, fretfulness and demanding great attention reveal an unconverted heart. Those renewed unto righteousness always bear good fruit in pleasant words, true courtesy and unselfish actions that make character fragrant and free life from overbearing and oppression.
Character is known by its fruit as a tree is known by its fruit, and the verse gives the Bible standard for perfection of character by which ideas about perfection must be compared and tested. A life bearing criticism, faultfinding, vainglory, provoking and envying bears a different fruit and proves a wrong conception of perfection. True Christianity bears this fruit to God's glory, for merely nominal observance of the law is not enough when Christ's grace is absent from the heart and He does not abide there by living faith. These graces grow in the Christian and are evidence of genuine sonship to God whatever a person professes or claims from experience, cultivated in personal and family life and in the church, and pride shuts the Spirit out so they cannot be present where pride rules. The fruit is the decisive evidence that teaching and doctrine are true and their advocacy right, for correct application of Scripture sanctifies the receiver and makes him gentle, kind, forbearing, true and Christlike. An interpretation maintained in an unchristlike spirit and bearing bad fruit in temper and action condemns itself, refutes the doctrine and proves a false application, is to be feared and kept far from, and never brings harmony to those who keep reason.
The qualities are the principles of God's law put into practice in the life. A heart renewed by the Spirit obeys God's law written within it and walks as Christ walked, with obedience and a self-denying life as the result of faith and not its basis, founded on grace in Christ. Those who bear them live up to the law's requirements and glorify God, while profession of righteousness without the Spirit's fruit does not show abiding in Christ. There is no condemnation of the law against such character, so those who bear it are free in Christ rather than held in bondage, with the will in harmony with God's will. Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections, passions and lusts, so those who live in the Spirit must also walk in the Spirit, not desirous of vainglory, provoking one another or envying one another, loving all His commandments and manifesting righteousness.
Mere church membership, baptism, outward belonging, receiving gifts, or profession alone without Christ abiding by living faith is fruitless, like a barren tree that darkens the ground and faces being cut down and cursed. Receiving God's gifts and outwardly belonging to the church do not by themselves produce this fruit, for love and the other graces are not seen without living connection with Christ. A fruitless life with only leaves of outward profession fails to bless the world, deprives others of opportunities and privileges they might otherwise receive, and faces God's curse and words of doom. Bearing the fruit testifies to working the works of Christ in vigilant waiting, consecration by surrender in perfect obedience keeping all commandments, self-denial and self-sacrifice rather than pleasing self, in unselfish mercy, disinterested benevolence and love for those Christ came to save, while profession without it is hypocrisy and hollow pretense.
The only real, unequivocal proof of being a true Christian and child of the heavenly King is bearing this fragrant fruit, with the kingdom enthroned in the heart by Christ's presence and with words, actions and very thoughts bearing continual testimony to union with the living Vine and deriving nutriment from Jesus. Where it is present there is beautiful character and a good unselfish heart with manifest divine credentials, suggesting no word of envy or suspicion and letting no evil thought germinate to bear evil fruit. Bearing it demonstrates sincerity in keeping the baptismal vow and being dead to sin with life hid with Christ, requiring earnest prayer for the Spirit within and power through intercession, while its absence reveals selfish spirit, controlling self, perverted will and unbelief bearing witness against the truth. To stand approved in the nearing judgment when every work and secret motive is revealed, and to be prepared for Christ's coming in glory and for translation, sins must be put away and this fruit possessed. It comes by drawing close to Jesus, seeking the divine presence, watching continually unto prayer, daily sanctification, self-discipline, doing everything as in God's immediate presence, wrestling with God until victory is gained, and crucifying a haughty self-sufficient spirit that seeks self-exaltation. It adorns profession by a well-ordered godly life, keeps feet from forbidden paths and the believer pure spotless and undefiled unto the end, urgent because the end is at hand, the Judge stands at the door and believers stand on the borders of the eternal world.
Any good in life, words and teachings is there because Christ put it there and not from goodness in self, so no glory goes to self. Good fruit can come only after the tree is made good, from a heart under the Spirit's control through living faith that clasps Christ's hand in every place and emergency and takes hold of His efficiency without disappointment. The one who bears it has discerned the spiritual character of the law, seen himself as God sees him, bowed in humiliation with genuine repentance toward God and faith toward Christ, been washed and cleansed, and ceased to ascribe goodness, merit or exaltation to self. No longer seeking greatness, revenge, earthly alliance, station or honor nor pulling others down, he becomes gentle, condescending, meek and lowly of heart in Christ's school, grows into His image, bends all energy to win souls, loves Jesus and every blood-bought soul with increasing love even in trial through unselfish labor, and hides the life with Christ in God. Every member is to bear these precious rich clusters to God's glory and become more precious than the golden wedge of Ophir, with rank bitterness made pure sweet wholesome and refreshing as righteousness is sown in peace by peacemakers.
Contrast with Fleshly Works
The fruit stands in direct contrast to the manifest works of the flesh — adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like — and those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. It is love that is pure and unadulterated from the heart of Christ, not love-sick sentimentalism and not beastly defiling lust that destroys what is pure in mind and body and brings death to soul and body, for Christ has bought soul, mind and body and to corrupt them dishonors Him. The fruit is love, joy, peace, patience or longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, with meekness and temperance or self-control named with it, shown in kindly words and deeds as the sign of grace changing a person into fellowship with Christ. Those who bear it are led by the Spirit and are not under bondage to the law, for there is no law to condemn such character. Its love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance oppose anger, enmity, harsh speech and strife, make family life kind and peaceful, shape conduct beyond the home, and show the Spirit dwells within with power to bring others to Christ.
Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections, passions and lusts, and if they live in the Spirit they must also walk in the Spirit. That walk refuses vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another, rivalry and hostility, and fulfills the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens. A temper ruled by anger, malice, hatred, strife and envy cannot produce this fruit, for those who belong to Christ must crucify selfish desires, and the fruit shown in words and actions reveals whether profession is genuine. The qualities stand against self-sufficiency and fleshly conduct, helping believers avoid hostility and provocation toward one another. Becoming thorough students of the Bible and doers of the Word through obedience to all God's requirements produces this fruit and prepares for graduation to the higher school.
Love with joy and peace stands opposite discord and strife, which are the work of Satan and the fruit of sin. To enjoy peace and love together, sins must be put away and harmony with God must be entered, and harmony with one another will follow. Bearing harmony, peace, love, unity, the meekness of Christ, benevolence, kindness and mercy from infinite wisdom proves harmony with Christ, while strife, envy, jealousy and continual contradiction are the opposite unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Him. When God's Spirit rules the heart it creates harmony, love and unity, for God is benevolence, mercy and love, so those truly connected with Him cannot be at variance with one another, and the question of what fruit is borne tests every professed follower.
Suspicion, evil speaking, criticism, prejudice, accusing brethren, sarcasm, humiliating words, envy and selfish ambition oppose the fruit and belong to Satan. Selfish ambition to be first, speaking to the disparagement of associates, vainglory, provoking and envying close the gate of heaven and leave that class without the holy city, and to stand approved in the nearing judgment when every work and secret motive is revealed, sins must be put away and this fruit possessed. That walk leaves no room for conceit or for provoking and envying, and it is the opposite of the corrupt fruit of evil thinking, evil speaking, accusing brethren and tearing character in pieces. When Christ's grace and love enter the soul they are revealed in character and purify away selfishness, envy and evil speaking, and heeding the Spirit's instruction keeps the mind from spiritual blindness. A heart still defiled by sin instead shows selfishness, envy, malice and faultfinding, and the remedy is to turn attention inward, remove these traits and stop judging others.
Sweet love, joy and peace mark the true Spirit, for light and much power alone do not prove the Spirit's presence. Satan can breathe an unholy influence that has light and much power but has no sweet love, joy and peace, and their absence exposes his work to keep souls deceived and to draw back God's children. The appearance of these good fruits in an eminent sense as results of the midnight cry proves that cry was God's special work guided by wisdom from above and not fanaticism. It showed itself in sobriety, humility, solemnity, reverence, self-examination, repentance, confessions and tears, in contrast to the fruit of fanaticism from the flesh and Satan's influence.
These qualities contrast with sinful gratification, which dulls mental and spiritual perception and weakens the heart's responsiveness to God's Word and Spirit. Divine truth controlling the heart leads to good works and makes a person generous and noble-hearted like the Lord, while when evil angels control the heart its fruit is selfishness, covetousness, pride and evil passions. Talents, learning and eloquence without this heavenly love are as meaningless as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, yet this precious treasure is lightly valued and little sought by many who profess faith. Each person should ask if he possesses the grace of love and has learned to suffer long and to be kind. Harsh, ungentle, dictatorial speech and conduct are contrary to those fruits and show that Christ's Spirit is not present.
Character in Daily Conduct
The fruit appears in speech as pure, pleasant, courteous words full of sympathy, compassion, tenderness and meekness, with no harshness, coarseness, rash words, fault-finding, fractiousness, overbearing or oppression, and gentle, kind, uplifting speech itself is fruit borne on the Christian tree while harsh words harm speaker and hearer alike. It makes character fragrant and free from oppression because the tree has first been made good by a heart under the Spirit's control through living faith that clasps Christ's hand and takes hold of His efficiency. Kind words, courteous behavior and a peaceful comforting influence show Christ's spirit, while harshness and unkindness show the heart untransformed by truth.
The fruit is to be revealed in every act as holiness to the Lord, with unselfishness, faithfulness, intelligence, purity and honesty in all work and business transactions, leaving no dark corners where dishonest deeds are done, and daily faithful actions preach sermons mingled with Christ's merits. Benevolence, purity, truth and peace must be seen in dealing with brethren and unbelievers alike, with motives and actions tested by God's law as the only infallible rule of conduct and code of honor. Conduct, not merely talented speech or prayer in meetings, proves the fruit, for rough carelessness outside meetings and a reckless trifling joking spirit are not grace, while a fruitful life is chaste, modest, elevated, blameless and industrious, and its practical exhibition in kindness, forbearance, gentleness, meekness and disinterested love is of greater value than sermons of boasted learning. Where coarseness, severity, self-importance and lack of courtesy appear instead, observers conclude religion has made professors no better and a barrier to salvation is erected.
Where the fruit is present self is no longer supreme and no longer seeks greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease, wealth, or sensitivity to reproach and neglect, for old things pass away and life becomes new. Jesus is put first, Christians are cherished as bearing the Master's image, love extends beyond family and friends to do good to all, all things are seen in unselfish clear light without dwelling on discouragements, and fellow workers are helped with encouraging fatherly words while God is praised for opened ways and evidences of care. Where the Spirit reigns, envy, resentment, strife, hatred and evil thoughts toward anyone are expelled by love for God and neighbor and perfect love fills the heart.
The fruit means being emptied of self and filled with Christ, with selfishness, hardness, ungodliness, deception, greed and envy purged away and the soul temple cleansed and refined by true godliness. With Christ abiding and reigning within there is divine illumination and rejoicing, revealed in purity, peace and love, and until envy and jealousy are emptied out and replaced by meekness, gentleness, patience, kindness and love, only weakness, worthlessness and trouble follow.
The Christian life may include bearing the cross and burdens, yet drawing peace and strength from Jesus gives grace to live godly with happiness and peace. Contentment, kindness, patience and helpfulness in the place and employment where one already is prove the fruit, for a restless disaffection seeking change of place without change of heart shows its lack, since change of place does not change the heart.
The child of God is easily distinguished from the presumptuous self-deceiver, for the fruit is not boisterous noisy boasting self-confidence, empty shouts, harsh expressions or rough language, but humble joy leading to abasement of self, with meekness, patience, gentleness, long-suffering, tenderness of soul, mildness savoring of Christ, mercy and humbleness ruling heart and life. One who lacks tenderness and comfort for the weak, who boasts of running over others, exhibits self rather than Christ, is proud in spiritual things, unteachable, jealous of slight, craving attention and angered by correction, is sadly deficient and not led by the Spirit. True humility and childlike simplicity please God and oppose self-exaltation and an independent spirit, and private daily self-control, purity of thought and purpose, devotion and faithfulness in little things at home may be more precious to God than public sacrifice as missionary or martyr.
The fruit is meek, teachable, pure-minded righteousness with truth enthroned in the heart, passions guided by Christ, self hid in Jesus, and a healthful atmosphere surrounding the soul. Its absence is Pharisaism, pride, loftiness, a controversial combative attitude and desire to rule and substitute human inventions for divine instruction, and without the graces even good abilities and knowledge of truth leave a man's spirit offensive to God and his influence detrimental, with truth so mingled with self as to become unpalatable even to those under conviction.
Self-control as part of the fruit must be deliberately cultivated even to old age, with mastery over words, actions and even a nervous temperament, by choosing to be a child of God clothed with Christ's righteousness, for talk of sonship is useless if an evil spirit flashes out in unsaving words.
Outward religious duties, displays and appearances do not produce these inward graces nor make up for their absence, for they adorn a sanctified heart only when the carnal mind is subdued and the heart reformed. Israel's lack of these sweet gracious qualities left it unfruitful and withholding God's intended blessings from the world, and likewise profession without inward working leaves professors unfruitful. Value in God's sight comes not from dress or outward adorning but from inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit seen in a kind word and thoughtful consideration, calling for economy in needless trimmings to advance God's cause, with principal attention to the Word, praise from the heart and no guile in the mouth. True religion takes hold of the heart, purifies life, controls conduct and overcomes self and evil temper, and is not mere profession.
Those made new show a changed life reflecting Christ's character and leaving former desires, with pride giving way to humility and meekness, vanity and self-assertion to seriousness and modesty, drunkenness to sobriety, impurity to purity, and what was once loved now hated and what was hated now loved. The change is not mere reform of glaring defects but transformation of the whole man into one loving, patient, kind, forbearing, condescending, continually amiable, tender, unselfish and courteous, with harshness softened and roughness toned down, truth received with love working like leaven. If instead cold, grumbling, self-sufficient, independent, selfish, harsh, stern, censuring fruits appear, the heart must be probed as the fountain of life, proving Christ's religion is not practiced.
The Spirit's unseen saving work becomes visible when love, humility, peace and joy replace anger, envy, strife and sadness, sinful thoughts and evil deeds are put away, and the countenance reflects heaven's light. This comes when the soul surrenders to God by faith, the Spirit takes possession, and a new being is created in God's image.
The fruit appears in daily self-denial, self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude and Christian trust, growing through quiet struggles against evil, prayer, watchfulness and victories over temptation. Envy, pride, malice, jealousy, selfishness and every evil stain are swept away and overcome by earnest effort with God's provided strength, leaving meekness, forbearance, gentleness, charity, mercy and love. Trials reveal the genuineness of love and faith and, when well borne, strengthen character and mature faith, meekness and love as the Word is received and held fast under its full control until Christ lives within and His character is reproduced in differing measure. It is displayed in patiently bearing trials, gratefully receiving blessings and firmly resisting temptation, shining before the world in contrast to the selfishness and uncontrolled passions of the natural heart. A symmetrical character testifying to the Spirit's power is seen in kindness, long-suffering and gentleness.
The fruit manifested in life is a confession of Christ, revealing His character and the purifying influence of truth, springing as righteousness and peace when the words of eternal life are sown and take root in the heart. Showing this life requires constant watchfulness and persevering, nearly unceasing prayer, and an impatient passionate spirit in the family is contrary to this witness and to be overcome.
The fruits arise naturally as fruit on a tree in a life shaped by religious principle and love for God and others, without display of goodness or dwelling on piety, and the truly righteous willingly do Christ's works with Christian character evident to others even when unconscious of it. Christ's own humble unassuming life showed this fruit in contrast to religious display and claims of sinlessness.
Heavenly truth refines and sanctifies the receiver to be courteous, kind, affectionate and pure, removing hardness of heart, selfishness, love of the world, pride and ungodly ambition. Besetting sins, evil habits, wrong tendencies and dispositions are overcome and turned to the right, with holy tempers and sanctified emotions becoming fruit of character, not by human strength or resolutions but as the yielded soul is worked upon by the Spirit through trust in God.
Genuine life bears the fruit with Jesus' love appearing naturally in kind words and deeds, quieting passion and bringing peace and blessing into home, workplace and business dealings. This practical fruit shows whether God's mind dwells within and guides by His law, for holding doctrines without changed life brings no intended blessing and unsanctifying truth can become a delusion hiding a selfish heart. It is the outward result of inward transformation when God's love abides, growing naturally rather than put on for show, appearing especially at home in patience, self-denial, thoughtfulness and faith-shaped words and actions, with love from Christ shown in unselfish self-denial and sacrifice for others in home, neighborhood and church, seeking their happiness, softening character and making peace.
Unity and Love Together
Where union with Christ the center exists there is union with brethren, for all approach one another in proportion as they approach Him. Church membership does not make a Christian; the proof is that love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance appear as evidence that His light has penetrated the heart and that justice and purity and truth abide within. This fruit forbids divisions, prejudice, contention, vainglory, provoking and envying, and requires restoring the erring in meekness and bearing one another's burdens in fulfillment of the law of Christ. Separation from Christ brings division and lack of love and respect, while living and walking in the Spirit means crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires and fostering unity rather than strife. Those who bear this fruit become living channels of light with life hid with Christ, and meekness, mutual forbearance, charity and Christlike character draw souls without striving for mastery in discussion.
Mutual support grows on the Christian tree, so believers cultivate kindliness, humility, mercy, justice, courtesy and consideration, put away evil surmisings, hold back bitter words, bear with one another, and remain bound in brotherhood without strife or grasping for superiority. Correction is to be given without haste, harshness or a cross spirit, since harsh words and unfavorable judgments harm both the corrector and the corrected instead of curing wrong. Love for God under the control of Christ's Spirit leads workers to act in an unselfish, benevolent manner, strengthening one another rather than showing anger or roughness.
Those placed in charge over other minds must exercise the Master's Spirit of love, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, courtesy, forbearance and pity, learning self-control so that no scolding or angry word dishonors Christ and reproaches the Christian name. Lacking these qualities shows lack of judgment, leading to arbitrary authority and an overbearing spirit that causes needless pain, places brethren in difficult positions and imperils souls. All are brethren, and those in charge must treat brethren as they themselves would wish to be treated in similar circumstances.
In marriage the fruit appears in kind, patient, forbearing, considerate and courteous conduct, refusing to control one another, overcoming selfishness and serving each other's needs. Christ's grace enables those who trust Him to live this new life and grow in unselfish love, and the inner change wrought by truth makes love noble and pure and brings outward kindness, faithfulness and gentleness. Patience, forbearance and gentleness should likewise shape how a father treats his children, since harshness and anger cannot teach them patience or demonstrate transforming power. In contrast to persecuting zeal, a true Christian does not persecute others for conscientious belief, for Christ's Spirit does not lead to coercion, and neither church membership nor baptism proves conversion unless self dies and the person is raised to newness of life.
Giving way to impatience, selfish or evil thoughts and words, anger, malice, hatred, strife and envy cannot produce this fruit but drives the Spirit from the heart and makes room for selfishness and yielding to temptation. The fruit grows only in living union with Christ through trust in God's promises and keeping attention on Jesus, not by self-reliance, and requires actively cooperating with God and keeping the soul in His love. Lack is exposed by the test of trial and affliction, when impatience, fretfulness and demanding great attention reveal that the carnal mind remains and the heart is unconverted. Gentleness and longsuffering exercised when people or circumstances work against us grow stronger by practice, and practical care for people in need brings a deeper experience of blessing. Love and patience belong to those sanctified in God's love, while crowding vainglory into the heart, laboring for human honor and applause more than for self-examination, and seeking to stand first opens the heart to dissatisfaction, envy and jealousy when expected respect is withheld. That spirit leads to demeriting others, magnifying their faults and seeking to injure their reputation, which is hateful to God.
The fruit is Christlike character that is true, pure, holy, full of sympathy and love, shown by turning from accusing and tearing down to thinking well and speaking well of brethren and sisters. It thinks no evil, is not puffed up, and hopes and believes all things not of evil and false reports but of all that is pure, good and of good report, loving one another. Heavenly love flowing outward and peace sought, pursued and brought into the soul prove the indwelling of the Spirit, who alone works with, in and through erring people to form a character God can approve like Christ's, without which none can be saved. With growth comes need for deeper experience met by Christ's sacrifice and daily seeking of blessing, giving searching power, faithful witness, circumspect conduct, growing hatred for sin and work to save sinners whom God forgives and clothes with righteousness.
Patience, kindness, mercy, love, righteousness, peace and grace are attributes of Christ that must be brought into daily experience, and humble faithful workers who trust God and labor in His name manifest them with fragrant influence as evidence of what grace can do through weak agents. When men and women are led and guided by the Spirit to magnify God's law and advance the kingdom of grace, the fruit is evident in heart, life and character, the work goes forward, and souls are reached and saved. As long as this fruit is shown, Christ sends His Spirit with those who go to all nations and strong angels aid every soul who by living faith makes God his strength.
Home Church and Mission
The fruit must be cultivated in the heart and in families, at home and in the church, with channels of thought, desire and action refined, purified and ennobled. It is received by hiding in Jesus and abiding in him, looking to Jesus constantly instead of at the faults of others, purifying the defiled soul temple, and asking the heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit in earnest, humble, steady, constant faith, for the Father is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask than parents are to give good gifts to their children, and rich blessings are in store for those positioned to receive them. Parents are to cultivate these graces in the home as they train their children for God, with spiritual growth showing itself in conduct and in acknowledging God in all ways.
The fruits should appear in everyday life and character, and welcoming Jesus into the home allows his presence to influence the family and restrain impatience and selfishness. This applies particularly to parents, who should practice forbearance and self-control, especially when tired or burdened, rather than letting irritability affect the household, for God's grace is sufficient to overcome natural impatience and irritability. Parents are to control themselves, speak kindly, and show patience and forbearance, keeping their spirit from distressing the family and helping make the home a place of peace and kindness. Cherishing the Saviour's attributes helps parents guide their children to live as trees of righteousness bearing this fruit, with graces formed at home carried into school and church where God is glorified. In family life parents are to live under the Spirit's influence and show Christ's love, kindness and tenderness, making these qualities part of children's home education, and the Spirit co-operates with parents in shaping character and taking lives under his control, so that when parents teach the principles that governed Christ's life and work for unity, dissension is driven out and unity and love abide, with parents and children sharing in the gift of the Holy Spirit. These qualities of Christlike character — love, kindness, gentleness, forbearance and longsuffering — are expressed in the small acts of daily life, especially through polite regard for others and soft, peaceable, encouraging words at home, and such habits shape character and make the home reflect Christlike order.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness expressed in a home through love, cheerfulness, contentment and a kindly, forbearing spirit brighten family life and promote children's mental and physical health. A mother who keeps calm, patient, kind and self-controlled in discipline maintains her influence and dignity and controls her children more easily, and the power of her example for good is seen in their deportment. Harsh words, scolding, threatening, intimidation and passionate blows do not change inward feelings but arouse self-assertion and combativeness and make children restless, willful, stubborn, unsubmissive and insubordinate, and every harsh word and blow is reflected back in heavier burdens for the mother. Only kindness, patience and calm bless and save and gain souls to the fold of Christ, while harsh rule trains, rules and ruins. The Holy Spirit tempers evil dispositions and makes children mild and gentle, so parents must first correct young children in love and subdue their evil temper, and then carry them to God in prayer and plead for him to do what they cannot do by his Holy Spirit, and God loves to answer that prayer when parents have done their duty. The graces are cultivated in a mother's own words and deportment, for while she teaches her little ones self-denial and with tender interest works the soil of their hearts to subdue their natural sinful inclinations, she educates herself to be a pattern to them, learning to be calm and unhurried and free from excitement and nervous haste.
Parents should teach children self-denial, restraint of appetite, and control of anger and self-will from early childhood, with self-control applied to family life. In family life parents are to live under the Spirit's influence and show Christ's love, kindness and tenderness, making these qualities part of children's home education. Those who minister in word and doctrine must first share in the Spirit's fruit. Bridle the disposition, and peace and contentment can fill the soul and take root. Cultivating grateful thanks for the privilege of knowing the truth and grateful thanksgiving opens the heart so it overflows with God's love, and by looking to Christ and beholding him and losing sight of self, a person is changed in character and rejoices in Christ's redeeming love.
Ministers should show these graces through kindness, forbearance, humility, respectful courtesy and unselfish care for others, with unselfish service and personal care for families. Such conduct helps them gain people's confidence and reach hearts, exerting greater influence than preaching without personal effort in families and helping win souls to Christ, influencing people more powerfully than preaching from the pulpit without individual effort. Giving full proof of ministry requires more than preaching, requiring practical ministering and practical instruction in daily Christian life and duty by presenting patience, meekness, forbearance, long-suffering, cheerfulness and joyfulness in the truth in one's own life and not a love for controversy. The Spirit's fruit is seen in practical Christian character — patience, meekness, forbearance, long-suffering, cheerfulness and joyfulness in the truth — rather than a love of controversy. Patience and longsuffering, gentleness and love are Christlike fruit that must be steadily manifested, especially by those who teach and care for youth, and failure to manifest them, acting instead with overbearing harshness, unbelief and resistance to God, suspicion and jealousy, changeableness and feeling-led inconsistency, proves unfitness to deal with human minds and lack of true Christianity and perfection of character.
A teacher should cultivate patience and gentleness, exercise self-control, and not excuse a hasty temper as natural or as an ignorant mistake. Those who guide others must reach a higher standard and be a guide and example in patience, longsuffering, kindness and compassion. Bearing this fruit requires sanctifying grace and a close, living connection with God as an ever-growing Christian with strong faith, complete consecration, perfect love and ardent zeal, making steady advancement in the knowledge and love of Christ, with spiritual discernment and a single eye to the glory of God, so that growth appears to all and witnesses to those under charge, and present and future usefulness depends on that living connection. Patience and forbearance belong to the Spirit-shaped Christian life, and teachers who live under the Holy Spirit's discipline and keep their souls in God's love can exercise these graces in Christlike work. Those accepted as fellow workers in God's institutions at Washington, D.C. and Mountain View must possess this character, with temperance in the full meaning of the word meaning control of self and faithful building of character rather than planning for others. When truth abides in the hearts of those in charge and they walk in the light shining from God's Word, younger workers catch the desire to understand and seek the Lord, and the fruit is reproduced in them.
The fruit is seen in the life of workers who do house-to-house work and give Bible readings in families, showing growth in grace by submission to the will of Christ, and in faith receiving, believing and obeying Christ's word. This brings rich experience, the efficiency of the Holy Spirit in life-work, intensity of earnest effort, and a faith that works by love and purifies the soul, with the Spirit's efficiency seen in the person's work as the fruit is seen in the life. The verse means working for souls with humble, trustful dependence upon God, with sympathy, kindness, forbearance and love as abiding principles, patiently instructing others and being a blessing to all around, without excitement, without criticism or a harsh, denunciatory spirit, without reining others up to meet one's own ideas, without desire for vainglory, provoking one another or envying one another. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, self crucified, and if we live in the Spirit we also walk in the Spirit, faithfully guarding every avenue of religious exercises lest selfishness and pride intrude and become interwoven with them, because old things have passed away and all things have become new, so that the love of Jesus and the peaceable fruits of righteousness are revealed and love with its companion graces is revealed in good works to the glory of God by consistent, symmetrical Christians. In every work done as laborers together with God for the uplifting and blessing of suffering humanity, Christ's merits are to be mingled like incense with all that is done, in constant dependence on him acknowledged by prayer and praise, with the fruits of Christ's Spirit revealed in all actions.
The true test that recommends worship to God, especially for large churches with great light and privileges, is not large organs and vocal and instrumental music but true consecration proved by character. The Christian is a tree whose soundness is revealed by yielding a harvest of precious fruit, the attributes of Christ, which brethren linked with brother are to develop together while drawing inspiration from Christ and holding the cross of Calvary as abiding hope after crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. Bearing this fruit glorifies the Father and marks Christ's disciples. The Spirit of Christ produces visible fruits in a Christian's life, including joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness and goodness, appearing in daily conduct and influencing others, helping a person through difficult situations and drawing souls to Christ, depending on abiding in Christ and walking in the Spirit, with Christ helping believers overcome the flesh and wrong feelings at every step, and a Christian's life should reveal Jesus rather than be marked by jealousy, evil surmising, foolish talk or unkind remarks. Bearing this fruit makes a person profitable to God: it glorifies him, helps bring others into his service, and appears in a holy, blameless life that exemplifies Christ and shows that the truth transforms the soul and renews the mind, while without this transformation religious claims carry no weight and a person may have a form of godliness yet remain an unprofitable, slothful servant.
The verse describes the principles of the kingdom of God that everyone who claims to be a child of the heavenly King must constantly represent in spirit, in word and in works. When missionary work is entered upon with this fruit it becomes elevating and uplifting both to the laborer and to the person helped, and being loyal and true to all the precepts and commandments of the Lord as faithful, trustworthy subjects of the kingdom of Christ gives those who are worldly-wise a true representation of the riches, the goodness, the mercy, the tenderness and the courtesy that belong to citizens of the kingdom of God. True gospel doctrine fills believers with the fruits of peace and piety from the Lord, visibly seen in the suppression of vice and the promotion of order and harmony, in a community with no quarrel, no hypocrisy, no envy and no strife, but with union and peace dwelling among them. The graces of the Spirit of Christ displayed in the life are the mark of true followers of the true Shepherd, brought into exercise by the perils of the last days through piety, self-denial, cross-bearing, faithfulness, religious fervor and steadfastness to the faith, producing an army of faithful ones brought out of the Piedmont valleys and the Alps mountains in contrast to the prevailing spirit that evades truth.
Love and joy, with a pleasant spirit, are revealed by giving up self and taking Jesus Christ, through whom believers are enabled to show them, and this enabling keeps workers from giving up too easily amid widespread corruption and sadness caused by meeting self in fellow workers. This belongs with not devoting all strength to those who already know the truth and not working without periods of rest. Love strengthens because it is a fruit of true Christian work, coming with the baptism of the Holy Spirit bringing new life, new energy, a purifying tide and transformation of character, and when the soul is consecrated to God he works with human effort so commandment-keeping people can expect efficiency, with loyalty to God and sympathy and purity of soul making hearts one with Jesus Christ. When the human will is enlisted on the side of God and right, the fruits of the Spirit appear in the life, and God has appointed glory, honor and peace to every man that works good. Love, piety and faith cherished in the heart produce precious fruits in a person's life. The fruit must appear in anyone trusted with high responsibilities, coming when a man takes himself in hand daily and through grace given sets his heart in order, inquiring at every step whether it is the way of the Lord and keeping his heart open to the impress of heaven instead of hardened by temptation and ruled by natural disposition. Without this he becomes sapless and impoverished and bears only wild fruit, doing great harm, and those who refuse the guidance of the Father in heaven lose the blessings and privileges within their reach forever. The fruit produced by abiding in Christ is a life shaped by the Spirit bearing purity and holiness rather than pride, envy, jealousy, suspicion or strife for status, and the character of a person's fruit reveals what kind of tree they are.
Temperance and Bodily Health
Temperance, or self-control, is part of the fruit of the Spirit along with the other excellencies named in the verse, and it means bringing appetites and passions under control so that the higher powers rule over the lower and men and women stand in God-given manhood and womanhood as conquerors under Christ. Strict temperance keeps the intellect unimpaired so that God-given abilities can be faithfully used to oppose the enemy's work, and it is reflected in keeping the spirit sweet, pure and holy. Such complete self-control comes only by accepting Jesus Christ and cooperating with God in His strength, and it grows by exercise until right principles become habit and grace molds the sinner into a new creature. The Holy Spirit thus produces holy character including self-control, and true religion leads people to govern themselves rather than to control one another.
Bearing this fruit requires keeping all powers in the best condition for God's service, for true sanctification embraces the entire being, spirit, soul and body. It requires cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, abstaining from fleshly lusts and every practice that weakens physical or mental strength or benumbs spiritual perception, and refusing to enfeeble or defile by indulgence of appetite or passion the living sacrifice offered to God. Those who belong to Christ crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts, bringing bodily desires under control rather than indulging harmful appetites, and such self-control supports consecration to God and the development of Christian character. A healthful condition of the body is necessary for the successful perfection of Christian character, for a diseased body and disordered intellect from continual indulgence in hurtful lust make sanctification of body and spirit impossible, while the heart cannot maintain consecration to God while lustful appetite is indulged.
Indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification, and even with profession of health reform many eat improperly. Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and mental debility and lies largely at the foundation of feebleness and premature death, while the fruit of the Spirit is purity of spirit that requires continual advancement. The one seeking to possess purity of spirit must bear in mind that in Christ there is power to control the appetite. One enslaved to alcohol or stimulating drinks and confused in reason is to have the moral powers aroused to total abstinence rather than moderate use, looking to Jesus and trusting His grace to overcome the unnatural craving. By so looking, such a one regains self-control, keeps the body in healthful condition for His service, and presents the body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God with a renewed, sober mind.
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit especially needed by a mother in training her children, joined with perfect self-control. This patience and self-control are secured by guarding against physical and mental disorder and by ordering life according to the laws of God and of health. Because diet materially affects the mind and disposition, eating what is nourishing but not stimulating keeps the nerves calm and the temper even, making it easier to exercise patience with the varying tendencies of children and to hold the reins of government firmly yet affectionately. The home is a school from the cradle to maturity where children are trained and where the mother as principal teacher learns the most valuable lessons of her life. Those who put their trust in Christ are not to be enslaved by any hereditary or cultivated habit or tendency, but instead of being held in bondage to the lower nature they rule every appetite and passion. God has not left people to battle evil in their own finite strength, and whatever inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong they have can be overcome through the power He is ready to impart. Moral excellence is reached through earnest, persistent effort aided by God's grace, including the subduing of self and the overcoming of wicked tempers, for bitterness and wrath defile the soul while uncontrolled anger denies Christ and harms others.
History Prophecy and Promise
God looked to the house of Israel and to the men of Judah for love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, but found them wanting, bringing forth wild grapes of oppression and a cry instead of judgment and righteousness, and the same expectation rests on professed followers today who have knowledge of the Scriptures, who must examine heart and mind lest they disappoint the Owner of the vineyard and must not harden their hearts while it is called today but work out salvation with fear and trembling as God works in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. These qualities appeared in the lives of those who returned to the gospel and remained steadfast in the freedom Christ gave, as the revealed work of the Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and faith. Moses showed the opposite murderous spirit in killing the Egyptian and proved unfit to represent the God of mercy, love and tenderness, however learned and able, losing confidence and fleeing from Pharaoh as if his sin barred him from delivering Israel, and God permitted the mistake and flight to teach him the gentleness, goodness and longsuffering necessary to every successful laborer for the Master.
The fruit does not perish but reproduces itself and yields a harvest unto eternal life, and when Christ's character is perfectly reproduced in His people He will come to claim them. All the redeemed must have the reformation of cleansing of mind and heart from every taint of sin, in whom self-sacrifice constantly appears and goodness and righteousness are seen, the quiet inward experience making the life full of godliness, faith, meekness and patience as a daily experience, forming characters free from sin and made righteous in and by the grace of Christ with hearts cleansed from all impurity in the blood shed to take away sin. Love, joy and peace are precious gifts God has in store and waits to bestow in abundance, not scantily, on all who serve Him in spirit and in truth, received by asking God to search the heart and turning from selfish gratification, making followers recognizable as having learned of Jesus and as His peculiar people zealous of good works, standing constantly in readiness for service with increased grace and power and increased knowledge of the Spirit's working, reaching higher and still higher for power from above with glorious triumph, though many are not ready to receive them, and they are credentials of faith accompanying obedience and trust, helping present the message of the cross and bringing peace in walking by faith rather than feeling.
Hope, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness and love are what Jesus wills His people to be full of, for God does not will them to remain in sorrow and discouragement, and the fullness comes by Christ living in the soul, drawing all spiritual nourishment from Jesus as the life of the soul, turning to the consolations provided in His Word, and by faith grasping the promises of the forgiving love of a longsuffering Saviour even when severe outward trials press and self is known, discerning His love and matchless mercy. As flowers draw properties from earth and air to develop into pure buds and give fragrance, believers draw peace, comfort and hope from the promises, which alone teach what God has prepared for those who love Him, developing peace, joy and faith and carrying them into the lives of others. Love, joy, peace and kindred graces including hope, courage, faith and divine charity come by a daily endowment and baptism of the Holy Spirit, cultivated by cherishing faith, hope, courage and large love and letting the peace of God rule in the heart, giving moral efficiency to discharge responsibilities with calm subdued dignity in ministry to relieve suffering as testimony of having learned of Jesus.
Brotherly love is love without dissension, as when the whole company of disciples in the days of the apostles were of one accord, and joy, peace, courage, hope and divine charity have power to propagate themselves, bringing health to mind, body and soul and blessing others by molding the characters of children and youth, transforming and assimilating their young impressionable minds and hearts by divine grace. This makes one a living channel of light conveying Christian principles to other souls through patient protracted incessant effort, conquering through Christ by coming close to brethren, cherishing faith and confidence in them so they give strength, and committing the keeping of the soul to God in intelligent appropriating faith with a gentle loving spirit that lets a bright light shine forth. Love, joy and peace are the Holy Spirit giving life to the soul and become visible as brightness, cheerfulness and sunshine of love on the face of one who looks to Jesus by faith and lives close to God, and this reflected joy and peace uplifts others who do not know Christ's presence, so gratitude, songs of thanksgiving and praise should be cultivated to bring more of that love into life.
Time spent on chart-making should not have displaced growing in the graces of the Spirit and in knowledge of the truth. Taking a wrong position in controversy over the law in Galatians, especially when the question has not been fully understood, is failing to cherish the Spirit of Christ that must be cherished, bringing sad loss to the church. The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control, marking a life shaped by the divine nature and by receiving God's Word, and also makes God's freely given gifts known. The life is to bear beautiful fruit grown in the human heart as a crop grows in tilled soil, for the human heart is soil where seeds of truth are sown, and when God molds the mind into graceful symmetry and trains raw physical and mental energies for the Master's service the fruit appears, a lesson those who till the soil and do farm work can study while they work.
The fruit describes practical godliness lived out in daily conversion, which is the great need in the world, with no law against it, marking those who belong to Christ as having crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts, so that to live in the Spirit is also to walk in the Spirit, and this is the holy standard expected in the Lord's institutions. These qualities are needed to replace impatience, fault-finding, an overbearing disposition and ungovernable passion, and developing them is part of reforming the heart, for letting the brutish nature control instead of the spiritual reverses God's order. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, with meekness and temperance, appear when tastes, appetites, habits and passions are brought under control of the Spirit of God, where understanding and heart keep closest connection with the pure sacred springs of light and inspiration, living in hourly contact and earnest communion with God, drinking deeper of the Fountainhead, with principles of truth and righteousness and mercy abiding in the heart in loving God with all heart, soul and mind and neighbor as self.
Their presence gives the depth of piety, discernment and enlightenment needed to decide righteously in the great questions of humanity, morals and religion in the last days, and their absence through want of sincere piety and firm purpose to lead a self-denying pure holy life shows deficiencies that exclude one from the work of the ministry. The fruit is borne upon the Christian tree when the Saviour dwells within and supplies a pure holy current of love, meaning strong deep sympathies and pure powerful heavenly principles brought into the work for this time, with self and its baleful results set aside, summing up all righteousness, purity, holiness and perfect benevolence. It proves love to God with all the heart and love to neighbor as self, requires refined elevated moral taste and passions brought under control, comes from wearing the robe of Christ's righteousness and living the gospel, and means being right with God.
The fruit is revealed in a Christlike life as Christ abides in the soul and His life is reflected in it, appearing in actions such as repaying others' neglect with kindness, for pure love comes from God and the unconverted heart cannot produce it, flourishing where Christ reigns with power consisting in doing good and nothing else, so that even a small act done from love is fruitful and God values the love behind the work more than the amount accomplished. Destitution of the fruits comes from neglect to do what Christ told to do, and they are gained by learning to rely upon God in difficulties, which grows faith and experience and gains spiritual strength, where being corrected and helped by brethren when a leader errs by permitting human influence to sway judgment or yielding to temptation is part of that growth, while failure to rely on God leaves religious experience dwarfed. Love, peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit, and patience in trials and injuries, gentleness under provocation, kindness, meekness and lowliness are signs of this spiritual fruit and of a heart that no longer esteems itself highly, following repentance and putting away self-righteousness for Christ's righteousness and showing fitness for God's service.
Faith and doctrine from above destroy sin and produce love, joy, peace, forbearance and meekness, and advanced truth received must produce patience, faith, hope and charity in the heart with saving influence upon human minds, proving branches of the true Vine. The fruit is diffused not by starting arguments at once on doctrinal subjects but by talking of the lessons of Christ, by wise dealing with souls for whom Christ paid the price of His own precious blood, by integrity and amiability of character and solid attainments in Christian growth, by never fainting or being discouraged when those educated in error and darkness do not immediately respond, and by pity and Christlike patience, purity of heart, tenderness of word and earnest fervent spirit revealing living connection with God. The rich clusters are borne when a person comes to Christ in faith and is grafted into His life and character, adopted as a son of God and joint heir with Christ, partaking of the divine nature and escaping the corruption in the world through lust, proving an ingrafting that separates from the world and from love for vile contaminating society, with death to sin and new life to God through Jesus Christ bringing new affections, new appetites and new tastes where old things have passed away and all things have become new.
The graces are expressed in a life reflecting Christ, where love remains an abiding principle shown through patience, forbearance, longsuffering, gentleness, cheerful words and tender affection, helping represent Jesus and bring blessing to others, though absorption in temporal business can quench the love to be exercised toward them. Abilities, reasoning, talents and other capabilities are to be used in religious life, and the one who bears rich fruit with love, kindness, compassion and humility depends on Christ rather than human praise, distinguishing those who obey God from those who disobey. The fruit is seen in character by which Christians are judged, and habits including dress affect spiritual growth, so rather than making changing fashions the chief concern character should be shaped by the pattern in God's Word.
The precious heavenly graces in the soul are lost one after another while playing the game of life for the soul with Satan, who as he steals each grace substitutes his own attributes in its place, and if the loss continues it becomes an entire eternal loss giving Satan the victory. The Holy Spirit's sanctifying influence produces meekness and gentleness to shape words and actions in the home, and faith in Christ gives a right spirit and motive with goodness and heavenly-mindedness from looking to Jesus, so that as Christ's love gives new life believers practice love, patience, gentleness, goodness, mercy and every grace found in God's children. Love, tenderness, kindness, compassion and affection are the fruit Jesus desires believers to produce and present before the world as witness that they have a Saviour who uplifts and satisfies, maintained by faith laying hold on a living God and by the presence of Jesus Christ with His truth shining in the heart and pervading all life actions, proving whether one is a branch of the true vine.
Fruit-bearing branches are pruned by the Great Husbandman through removal of all that is useless and hinders growth so they bring forth more fruit, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit is manifested in heart, disposition, conversation and all dealings with others, including keeping promises even at personal cost. The fruit is seen in Christlike character when workers welcome Christ's presence and treat one another with gentleness, patience, longsuffering, love, good temper and a cheerful spirit, replacing harshness and sharp words. Good fruit appears when the Word is not only spoken as truth but taught in love, as the character qualities completed by meekness and temperance, and those bearing it have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts and are endowed with whatever is honest and lovely and of good report. Spiritual life sustained by receiving and practicing Christ's words enables bearing the fruits daily and revealing Christ's character.
The fruits are the standard by which all will be judged, and bearing them requires not only believing in Christ but depending on Him for success and salvation, observing all His commandments and ordinances and faithfully discharging every duty as stewards of His grace, striking deep and taking root in the best soil, the Word of the living God, so as to grow in strength and be rich in good works in spirit, word and action. The fruit is revealed in the life as soon as the Word is received with its refining purifying influence, and having it goes with possessing the grace of obedience for all who hear the word. The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and faith as the spiritual fruits God expects from those who work in His vineyard, whose lives should show love for one another, freedom from strife and loyalty to God, with fruit testifying to its divine source.
Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance appear in the sons and daughters of the Lord when they grow in efficiency, seek the Holy Spirit in great need, shut themselves in with God, pray much and behold Jesus more, patiently exercise faith and trust God implicitly, cease to exalt self and become meek and lowly in heart, bring tastes and appetites into captivity to Jesus Christ, keep passions under control so the mind is clear for the Spirit to operate upon, and receive gospel principles in home life and daily experience, having crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts so the inner work works outward. God's servants reveal Him to the world through a humble careful walk marked by love, forbearance, longsuffering and gentleness, and leaders should display patience, kindness, compassion, faith, consecration, love and zeal as example and help others bear them, enabled by growing in the knowledge and love of Christ and staying closely connected with God. The fruit is seen in Christlike qualities, naming patience, kindness, meekness, goodness, sympathy and tender compassion as graces to cultivate, heavenly qualities flourishing in mind, heart and character as people share the divine nature and overcome the world's corruptions, unlike rough uncourteous unkind dispositions which are not of Christ.
A life shaped by heaven's principles reveals the fruits in a character softened, subdued and sweetened, with every detail reflecting sanctification practiced daily. Christian character bears love, meekness, godliness, patience, longsuffering and kindliness as signs of Christlike character and influence, not outward customs or symbols. The graces must be cultivated and not trusted to own strength or good opinion of own attainments, with careful watchfulness in deportment and prayer, for self-indulgence, carelessness and neglect of duty deprive of the precious blessings realized only by the self-sacrificing humble meek and lowly, requiring cherishing every ray of heavenly light, reproof, warning and encouragement, since great light and great privileges bring responsibility for that light. The fruit is expressed in Christlike love and heavenly qualities, imparting love, pity, kindness and tenderness through actions, building one another up and bringing happiness to people in need and affliction, spreading a pure peaceful Christlike influence and producing good fruit of heavenly kind and quality.
The fruit is the adorning Christ approves, the hidden man of the heart in a meek and quiet spirit of great price in God's sight, distinguishing God's people from the world, testifying of itself in good works, and in loving sympathetic tenderness revealing that they wear Christ's yoke and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. A life shaped by faith and trust in God displays the special fruits in character. Practicing truth through sanctification means cutting off selfishness and showing fair unselfish conduct, and the thorough working of the Holy Spirit in hearts produces brotherly love and kindness representing the beauty of grace and love that dwelt in Christ the great Teacher, where that fruit is missing men serve self instead of representing Christ.
Letting the Spirit of God rule in the heart changes natural ways and habits by grace, healing alienation even between family members such as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Christ's love brings sweet joy reflected in calm cheerful words, manners and expressions giving others hope, courage and serenity, strengthening the faint and comforting those facing temptation, cultivated through the life within including small duties of daily life. The fruit must appear as patience, longsuffering, kindness and compassion, and those guiding others must reach a higher standard as guide and example in these graces, requiring sanctifying grace and close living connection with God as an ever-growing Christian with strong faith, complete consecration, perfect love and ardent zeal, making steady advancement in knowledge and love of Christ with spiritual discernment and single eye to God's glory, so growth appears to all and witnesses to those under charge, on which present and future usefulness depends.
Kindness, forbearance, longsuffering, gentleness and patience are gifts to be cultivated in disciplined life beforehand to be ready for service, so when called by the Master the Christian is ready to exercise heart and mind in practical work revealing those qualities in helping and blessing those ready to die. The character Christ forms by genuine religion gives all power to form a true noble character, and receivers become partakers of the divine nature with real repentance appearing in Christlike words and deeds, revealing every day and hour faith in Him as Sin-bearer, with fruit as love, hope, longsuffering, patience and kindness, and self-denial lifting the cross and following Jesus, making men and women lights and representatives of the Saviour. Marks of true religion include faith, hope, patience, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness and mercy, fruits by which people are known leading to faithful service, and though Christ purchased eternal rewards they are proportioned to works, so believers must not drift into listlessness or false security.
Belief in Christ works transformation of character by grace so those once dead in trespasses and sins manifest the fruits in disposition, words and actions as partakers of the divine nature. The fruits are borne by those who live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, from truth dwelling within, Christ within, sanctification through truth, conformity to Christ's image and fullness of God, becoming living channels of light with life hid with Christ in God, whose hidden heavenly character the world does not see though its effects are manifest in spirit and actions speaking louder than profession, drawing souls to Christ and truth without striving for mastery in discussion when associating with unbelievers, by meekness, love and Christlike character. Pure Christlike divine love leaves no hatred and produces joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith and meekness through unselfish aims and plans and most unselfish thorough labor for present truth, because work must bear the test of judgment, requiring a transformed character and unchanged heart made by Christ alone after the divine model, without which life proves a miserable failure.
Christlike character revealed in daily life is sustained by spiritual food, even Christ's words, and the gospel believed and lived gives eternal life with spiritual health and vigor enabling the fruit to appear, so as disciples feed on His Word they grow like Him and bring His perfection into their characters, manifesting unselfishness, integrity, kindness and love with Christlikeness in all they do, proving they eat the bread of heaven and draw living water from salvation's wells. Constant study of the Word gives growth in holiness and grace and changes the whole character with old ambitions passed away in the new birth, and then love, joy, peace, longsuffering and gentleness appear with refinement and true godliness and selfishness purged. Followers must show love, patience, kindness and other qualities of true charity in character, for generous offerings cannot make up for their absence, and followers are known by fruits borne.
Abiding faith and trust bear visible fruit as lives take root in God's Word, depend on Christ, rely on His promises and are sanctified in character, revealed in practicing truth like trees bearing fruit, manifested in spirit, words and actions rich in good works as privilege, by which lives are judged. The Holy Spirit adorns the human agent with spiritual graces, and the cross brings the proud selfish heart into direct contact with the Holy Spirit so Christ's riches fill the mind and Christ is commended to those who do not know Him. The Spirit's presence prepares workers to develop Christian qualities, serving with Christ as companion to learn patience and kindness with words and feelings shaped away from harshness and unkindness.
A life influenced by renewing grace bears good fruit where religious principles strengthen good intentions and help children become obedient and kind. The Spirit's work includes directing every action, and God's people must yield to that control to grow in grace and remain pure amid last-days corruption in preparation for immortality, for right relationship with God is revealed in the fruits. The fruit God expects is pure holy character expressed in godliness, self-denial for others' good, meekness and loveliness of heart, including penitence, faith and obedience, with Christ the perfect model so that following Him means living out the precepts of God's law.
A thorough reformation wrought by God makes the fruits dwell within, appearing in a godly shining life that makes the Christian a light and a help and blessing to God's cause. The fruit becomes visible as the gospel sanctifies the soul, seen both in these qualities and in actions. The fruits appear in truly converted lives as evidence of spiritual life, not merely assent or outward formality, with Christ's grace supplying spiritual life to shine and the divine Spirit transforming heart and mind, renewing the mind and leading to watchfulness, love for God and willing obedience. Conversion is revealed in love as abiding principle expressed toward others with Christ's tenderness, patience and goodness in a changed character shaped by contemplating the cross and obeying God's commandments, for joining the church does not prove joining Christ unless lives reveal these virtues, and their absence clouds others' minds with unbelief.
Those with Christ's mind reveal His graces with His Spirit abiding in them, showing truth has brought reformation and the soul is renewed, purified and sanctified, while one not bearing fruit is not transformed and lacks heart-connection with Christ even if regarded as faithful. The fruit Christ claims from His church after patient care is faith, patience, love, forbearance, heavenly-mindedness, meekness, with patience, forbearance, self-control, lowliness and meekness as heavenly graces, and lacking them closes heaven's gates, so hasty uncontrolled fretting complaining murmuring stubborn temper pampering self must be overcome as spiritual disease, with ample provision for help in difficult places, these clusters maturing amid storm, cloud and darkness as well as sunshine. The fruit is seen in Christlike love with patience, kindness, forbearance and love revealing Christ's grace in conduct especially in family life, shown in words and actions blessing both those served and the one bearing trials patiently.
The graces are to be cherished, for living by one's own spirit, self-will and natural feelings instead prevents effective service in God's cause. The Spirit produces love, joy and peace with temperance as refusing to defile the body as temple of the Holy Ghost, as Daniel's self-control resisting Babylonian food and drink shows religious principle can help youth overcome bodily desire and remain true to God even at great personal cost. Love, joy and peace are fruits and credentials of belonging to Christ, with love as a heavenly plant rooted in the heart and carefully cherished, and Christ's presence uniting believers so disagreement is not treated as proof brethren are wrong, His Spirit producing a sweet spirit of union. The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness and goodness in a life hidden with Christ in God, marking spiritual growth and holiness, and Christlike love shows the world God sent His Son to save humanity.
Keeping the mind stayed upon Christ and constantly looking to and patterning after Him as personal Saviour grows character as He comes as rain, as former and latter rain, and as Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings, causing growth as the lily, reviving as the corn and growth as the vine, growing up into Him in all things with growing faith, sanctified conscience and increasing likeness in works and words and belief in His Word. These fruits grow as minds are kept on Christ and His example followed, with God's Word received into the heart cleansing and sanctifying, the Holy Spirit giving wisdom and unselfish love human power cannot supply, and grace conforming believers to His character reflected in lives. In those one with Christ, emptied of self and filled with His Spirit and changed into His image by beholding Him, the Holy Spirit works righteousness with new spiritual life, new motive power, faith working by love and purifying from moral and spiritual defilement, enjoyment of spiritual things, no confidence in self and constant unfolding of truth.
The fruit is love not hatred, joy not discontent and mourning, peace not irritation, anxiety and manufactured or needless trials, with longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance or self-control, against which there is no law, and bearers are earnest laborers with God with heavenly cooperation, ennobled and refined, speaking solid pure sacred things to God's glory, as branches of the True Vine bearing rich clusters with Christ dwelling within as a well of water springing into everlasting life, with Christ all and in all. When these qualities abide they bring unity of thought and action, adorning profession by well-ordered life and godly conversation, keeping feet from forbidden paths and crucifying the flesh with affections and lusts, coming by drawing close to Jesus, seeking the divine presence, watching continually unto prayer and doing everything as in God's immediate presence, keeping the believer pure spotless undefiled unto the end.
Holding the beginning of confidence firm unto the end establishes the way in God, so what grace has begun glory crowns in the kingdom, made urgent because the end of all things is at hand, the Judge stands at the door, believers stand on the borders of the eternal world, and sin is seen in light from Christ's cross. The fruit appears in life exerting telling influence and marking true conversion where self is no longer supreme and one no longer seeks greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease or wealth nor remains sensitive to reproach and neglect, but in Christ old things pass away and life becomes new, with love extending beyond family and friends, putting Jesus first, cherishing Christians as bearing the Master's image and doing good to all mankind, growing on the true Vine and more precious to God than earthly wealth and learning. Parents are to cultivate these graces in the home training children for God, with spiritual growth showing in conduct and acknowledging God in all ways.
Fruit-bearing is shown by pure words, unselfish planning in Christ's meekness and lowliness, softened hearts full of sympathy, love and compassion without fractiousness when displeased, pleasant words, true courtesy and unselfish actions making character fragrant and freeing life from overbearing and oppression, possible only after the tree is made good from a heart under the Spirit's control through living faith clasping Christ's hand in every place and emergency and taking hold of His efficiency without disappointment, as evidence of true conversion and transformation and proof of changed heart, with no law bringing bearers into bondage, for those Christ's have put to death the flesh and, living in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit without vainglory, provoking or envying. This fruit comes through dependence on and connection with Christ acceptable to God, associated with purified heart, circumspect life, faultless character and using abilities rightly rather than seeing through worldly eyes.
It is the outward manifestation of internal sanctification and Christlike attributes adorning Christ's doctrine by grace and meekness in manners, words and spirit, requiring being clothed with humility with no anger, harshness, coarseness or thorns to prick and bruise others, especially toward the spiritually blind and opposed, remembering former blindness, being wise as serpents and harmless as doves so as not to increase opposition and to remove prejudice without conceding truth, with no law to condemn such. The fruit appears when hearts are brought into captivity to Christ as boughs grafted into the True Vine, with natural and cultivated traits greatly improved, selfishness cut away and pure uncorrupted sympathy, the sure fruit of all righteousness, constantly growing, so those crucifying the flesh express in character Christ's similitude. A professing Christian must bear it as Christlike character in word and deed, in patience, kindness and courtesy including pleasantness and tender sympathetic words in the home and willingness to concede ideas rather than insist on his own way, for without it he is not a tree of righteousness but like the tree bearing no good fruit, and every tree is known by its fruit by which believers and unbelievers can judge him.
The Spirit's influence is Christ's life in the soul, and those knowing His indwelling reveal love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, made holy and Christlike as His purifying work reaches mind and heart and enters daily life and practice in genuine fervent love for one another, for the heavenly Comforter given in Christ's place to act in His stead is present at all times and places to support, sustain, uphold and cheer in and through everyone receiving Christ, near wherever they are. Giving money cannot buy salvation, but giving self makes life a fruitful branch in a beautiful vine adorned with clusters of rich graces of love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness and meekness appearing under the Saviour's claims and influences and making life attractive. The Spirit produces godly character working in the heart, and by yielding the will to God committed to what is right one overcomes wrong tendencies and becomes an instrument revealing God's goodness and love with joy and peace, so the fruits appear.
Love, joy and peace cultivated in manners and disposition, not like a prickly burr but cultivating everything lovely and attractive, means cherishing what is amiable in temper with what is firm in principle, being just, true and honest yet kind, forbearing, pitiful and courteous, representing Christ's meekness and gentleness while firm as rock to principle, making life and character fragrant, refreshing and a blessing, gaining access to hearts, giving finish and perfection to character and making truth attractive. The graces must be received in the heart through the Holy Spirit and cultivated every day under converting grace by cherishing susceptibility to divine impressions in studying the Word, so truth impresses heart and life practice, sanctifies daily conduct and fits character for winning souls, qualifying to receive power of truth through faith, enjoy the Word and feast on its treasures as craved food, receive Christ's righteousness and Son as personal Saviour, have tendencies transformed with elevated speech and taste, walk in light and become complete in Jesus as elect sons and daughters doing His will and commandments. The fruit is displayed in meekness, kindness, mercy and love in patiently bearing trials, gratefully receiving blessings and firmly resisting temptation, shining before the world in contrast to selfishness and uncontrolled passions of the natural heart, which God's grace can produce.
Joy is included among the fruit and is cultivated by cheerfulness and showing Christ's joy in life, speaking words full of hope, courage, joy and gladness. The Holy Spirit tempers evil dispositions and makes children mild and gentle, and parents must first correct young children in love and subdue evil temper, then carry them to God in prayer pleading for Him to do what they cannot by His Spirit, which God loves to answer when parents have done their duty. The graces are cultivated in a mother's own words and deportment while with tender interest she teaches little ones self-denial and works the soil of their hearts to subdue natural sinful inclinations, educating herself to be a pattern in calmness, unhurried freedom from excitement and nervous haste. The Spirit co-operates with parents shaping children's character and taking lives under His control, so when parents teach principles governing Christ's life and work for unity, dissension is driven out and unity and love abide in the home, parents and children sharing the gift.
The fruit is seen in a Christian life ruled by God rather than worldly influence or selfish ambition, where love for God and neighbor produces kindly sanctified affection, envy, resentment, strife and hatred are expelled, perfect love fills the heart and no room is left for evil thoughts toward anyone. Love remains an abiding principle shown in patience, forbearance, longsuffering, gentleness, cheerful words and tender affection to represent Jesus and bless others. The fruit is seen in a kind genial gentle tender disposition seeking to heal wounded souls and help renew, strengthen and shape others after the perfect model. The fruit is revealed as soon as the Word is received with refining purifying influence, going with the grace of obedience for all who hear.
These graces should be evident, for self-control practiced without special grace rebukes those with access to God's strength and grace who do not show them, with Christ the model of meekness and lowliness to imitate and overcome as He overcame. The fruit is seen in conduct not merely talented speech or prayer in meetings, for rough careless behavior outside meetings and reckless trifling joking spirit are not grace, while a life bearing fruit to God's glory is chaste, modest, elevated, blameless and adorns profession. The fruit including patience, meekness, longsuffering and faith is seen in private life through daily self-control, purity of thought and purpose, devotion and faithfulness in little things, so one displaying them at home representing Jesus may be more precious to God than missionary or martyr, public sacrifice not necessarily more acceptable than quiet faithfulness.
The fruit is inward Christian character adorning a converted heart when the carnal mind is subdued, replacing pride and emphasis on outward appearance, valuing the meek quiet spirit above dress, seen in kind word and thoughtful consideration which God values, calling for doing without unnecessary trimmings and laying aside means saved for God's cause, with principal attention to studying the Word with praise from the heart and no guile in the mouth as trees of righteousness revealing the kingdom's eternal verity. Charity, love, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, gentleness and goodness are to be brought as highest noblest specimens into character building, requiring keeping all natural hereditary traits under strict control, being born again to live Christ's life, refusing self supremacy, battling Satan so no thread of selfishness or covetousness enters the web, using entrusted capabilities and treasures of wisdom with proportionate accountability in purity and sacred holiness in sacred awe as workers together with God, and giving each fellow worker equal chance for advantages and encouragement that all talents may strengthen and develop.
The fruits are weightiest evidence of genuine truth, for the most convincing testimony is the spirit attending advocacy of truth, and when received it sanctifies the heart making the receiver gentle, kind, forbearing, true and Christlike, while unchristlike spirit and fruit refute doctrine and prove false application, so no interpretation needing such spirit and bearing such fruit can harmonize with truth, known by good works rather than boasting or deception with quiet powerful influence for good. The fruit is seen in practical patience, meekness, forbearance, longsuffering, cheerfulness and joyfulness in truth rather than love of controversy. The fruit is seen in disciples whose Christlike character evidences purifying grace and bears living convincing witness to God's Word through lives loving and living the gospel.
Bearing the fruits proves membership in the royal family and childhood to the heavenly King, with God's kingdom enthroned in the heart by Christ's abiding presence and words and actions in harmony with profession, demonstrating sincerity in keeping the baptismal vow and death to sin with life hid with Christ in God, while not bearing them reveals selfish controlling self, perverted will and unbelief bearing witness against truth though claiming God's service, requiring earnest prayer for the Spirit within and power through Christ's intercession. The fruit is seen in Christlike qualities cultivated at home helping parents guide children to live as trees of righteousness, with graces formed at home carried into school and church where God is glorified. The fruit is actions in harmony with God's law, seen in families making painstaking efforts to manifest kindness, patience and love, as Almighty power prepares minds and hearts to submit to the Spirit's molding, leading parents to sanctify themselves that children also may be sanctified.
The fruit is seen outwardly in a life shaped by Christ's mind and Spirit as confession of Christ, where words of eternal life taking root bear righteousness and peace, requiring constant watchfulness and persevering nearly unceasing prayer to show His life and truth's sanctifying influence, as evidence Christ abides by faith, while opposed conduct denies Him. The fruit is the outward result of inward transformation where God's love abiding makes character grow naturally rather than put on for show, appearing in everyday life especially at home through patience, self-denial, thoughtfulness and words and actions shaped by faith. Love as the precious plant must be cherished and flow freely to break down barriers, lived day by day under the Spirit's melting power in gentle thoughtful care for the sick where every wish is supplied and no service is hardship or done with censure, not slumbering to awaken only in sickness then falling back into cold indifferent loveless ways when health returns, an order to be changed.
The fruits are qualities that can be possessed and revealed in a people and recognized by others in conduct. Love, forbearance, longsuffering and gentleness in humble circumspect walk manifest God to the world, for doing the Word produces character making believers lights showing reverence and respect for God under His administration, exemplifying living faith by trust in His power instead of exalting human wisdom and depending on finite changeable erring men. Bearing the fruit belongs to consecration, expressing God's love in earnest whole-souled religion shown in speech comforting, blessing and building up. Peace and love are shown in depending on God's keeping power and trusting His promises, where spiritual-mindedness is life and peace and faith brings joy, peace and hope through the Holy Spirit.
Faith working through love and purifying the soul produces humility, patience, forbearance, longsuffering, peace, joy and willing obedience. The graces must be manifested, for true religion takes hold of the heart, purifies life, controls conduct and helps overcome self and evil temper, not merely profession. The graces are produced by God's Word as flowers unfold through life-giving power, developing as naturally and beautifully as a lily grows and blooms when yielded to grace. The fruit of abiding includes love, kindness, compassion and humility distinguishing obedient from disobedient, with abilities used in religious life depending on Christ rather than human praise. The Spirit working in ministers and helpers produces tenderness and Christ's love in their hearts.
Love as fruit is the life of Jesus in the soul, an active principle imparted by the Holy Spirit alone making fruitful unto good works, the force and power of every true message spoken by human lips, belonging to true Bible religion of forgiveness solely through merits of a crucified risen Saviour and righteousness by faith of the Son of God. True reform bears the fruit, with love for God making one a friend to those for whom Christ died. The graces of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance grow like fruit on an evergreen planted by water, keeping the believer spiritually fresh and reflecting Christ's character. They make the heart joyful in God and ready to share truth, as practical fruits of a Christ-shaped life.
The fruit describes qualities borne when life is shaped by the indwelling Saviour with passions controlled and Christ's righteousness worn, including love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. The fruit shows character produced in those truly connected with God by His Spirit working in hearts as harmony, peace, love, unity, Christ's meekness, benevolence, kindness and mercy from infinite wisdom, keeping believers from variance and creating harmony, love and unity, proving harmony with Christ, while strife, envy, jealousy and continual contradiction are opposite unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Christ and belonging to Satan's children, so every person is tested by what fruit is borne and must answer what fruit he bears. The Spirit's presence is seen in meekness, patience, gentleness and longsuffering marking a true disciple imitating Christ and doing God's will, while a heart still defiled shows selfishness, envy, malice and faultfinding, remedied by turning inward, removing these traits and ceasing to judge others.
The fruit consists of sweet graces of Christ's character including love, visible when there is living connection with His great heart of love and His life's tide flows through in return for His gifts, for receiving gifts, belonging outwardly, hearing the gospel, taking His name and church membership without that connection leaves absence of fruit like a barren tree taking nourishment but bearing none, bringing no blessing, darkening ground, robbing others of privilege and facing doom to be cut down, while presence shows fruitfulness blessing the world. The fruit is borne when followers are joined to Christ as living branches to the vine through personal continual communion, not from one believer sustaining another. The graces are to appear in daily conduct as kindness, meekness, forbearance, cheerfulness and love, representing Christ and showing love for Him as steady motive not temporary outward show.
Christ's character reproduced in human nature replacing selfishness grows through living connection and may appear in differing measures as thirtyfold, sixtyfold or a hundredfold. The fruit is revealed through deeper conversion seeking God with all the heart in repentance, humiliation, penitence and confession, with dormant powers aroused under the Holy Spirit giving light, life and power to do right because it is right, through coming to Calvary's cross as source of all power and taking up and bearing after Christ the cross given to gain spiritual life, strength and excellency, cherishing and following the law's two great principles in deep earnest sympathy and love to God and man with elevated moral taste and controlled sanctified passions, setting forth Christ as altogether lovely and supreme.
The Spirit produces in the believer one beautiful character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. This fruit grows only as the soul abides in Christ in living daily union, drawing life directly from Him, and never by talent, learning or human effort. It is the proof of true conversion and sanctification, the outward sign that the law is written on the heart and that Christ dwells within. It stands in direct contrast to the works of the flesh, so that hatred, strife, envy, impurity and selfish ambition show the Spirit is not ruling. Where it is present it is seen in everyday life in kind courteous words, patience under trial, self-denial, unity with brethren and purity of body and mind.
Names of the Fruit
The fruit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering or patience, gentleness or kindness, goodness, and faith or faithfulness, with meekness and temperance or self-control named with it as the qualities produced in the Christian life by the Spirit. Those who live in the Spirit must also walk in the Spirit, having crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts and refusing vainglory, provoking and envying, and against such fruit there is no condemnation of the law. These graces are the principles of God's law put into practice, marking a changed life in which old things pass away and pride gives way to humility, drunkenness to sobriety, and impurity to purity. When they abide they bring unity of thought and action and exert a telling influence on the world, and through Jesus there is grace and strength to live godly even while bearing the cross and burdens with happiness and peace.
The love named is pure and unadulterated love coming from Christ's heart, lifted out of passion and impulse and made spiritual, sanctified, tender, thoughtful and unselfish. It is not love-sick sentimentalism, not beastly defiling lust that destroys purity of mind and body and brings death to soul and body, and not misdirected sentimental attention that harms others. Rightly directed sympathies express love for God and the Saviour in visible fruits, in courtesy, kindness, forbearance, patience, pity, gentleness and meekness like Christ, with no bad temper, impatience, fretfulness or rude harsh manners. Such love yearns to bless others even at inconvenience to self, curbs evil propensities by daily effort through the strength of Jesus alone, and stands opposite adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, hatred, strife, envyings, drunkenness and the other manifest works of the flesh that bar from the kingdom of God.
Love is the opposite of hatred, joy is the opposite of discontent and mourning, and peace is the opposite of irritation, anxiety and manufactured or needless trials. The fruit is not gloom or sadness but belongs in every person who forms part of God's temple, each perfected in a distinct place yet joined in a unified shining whole. It is the character of those emptied of self and filled with Christ, changed into His image by beholding Him, given new spiritual life, new motive power, faith working by love and purifying from moral and spiritual defilement, enjoyment of spiritual things, no confidence in self, and constant unfolding of truth. As evidence of the Spirit's work in the heart it equips for earnest labor with God and faithful service.
Longsuffering or patience is shown by bearing annoyances, trials, injuries and abuse patiently, keeping feelings calm and unstirred when facing terrible statements and crooked human material. Meekness is the loveliness of Christ formed by the Spirit, enabling control of a rash, impetuous, hasty temper and bringing thoughts and words under God's will until the heart is filled with patience and gentleness. Those naturally sour or hasty gain self-control by earnest daily effort and prayer for strength and grace, overcoming what is unlovely and unlike Jesus to become more like the divine pattern. Patience with self-control is to be seen in a living example that draws rather than drives, and faith, longsuffering and gentleness are to be had and longed for more and more.
Faith is a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit working on the mind, dwelling in those who receive the Spirit and moving them to cooperate with God's work. Genuine faith is inseparable from repentance, transformation of character, overcoming of character weaknesses by resisting inclination and impulse, and bringing forth this fruit. Kindness is a Christian grace whose possession is made visible by its fruit. Meekness and humility mark true sanctification rather than boastful self-righteousness.
Temperance or self-control belongs together with love, joy and peace as fruit covering bodily life as well as spiritual life, meaning health of body as well as health of mind. It includes refusing to defile the body as the temple of the Holy Ghost, with strict compliance with Bible requirements bringing blessing to soul and body. Daniel's self-control in resisting Babylonian food and drink shows religious principle enabling youth to overcome bodily desire and remain true to God even at great personal cost. The Bible is the standard on this subject, and its teaching has vital bearing on prosperity in all relations of life.
The fruit is beauty of character produced by the Spirit's work in the soul, more precious to God and more valuable than earthly wealth, learning, status, impressive buildings, achievements winning human applause, outward beauty, display or mere neatness. Outward excellence matters only when it expresses what is unseen and eternal, and Christian faith must shape ordinary household work while cleanliness remains secondary to godliness. In the converted life self is no longer supreme, Jesus has first place, greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease and wealth are no longer sought, reproach and neglect no longer rule, and love extends beyond family and friends to cherish Christians as bearing the Master's image and to do good to all mankind.
These graces are the Christian's crown and shield and elements of character, bringing contentment and helping children flourish when they shape life at home. They do not depend on circumstances or on human will or imperfect judgment but are bestowed when earnestly desired, with the Saviour pitying human weakness. A peaceful, contented mind overcomes timidity, fear, loneliness and rigid preference for a small circle, while restlessness, homesickness when chosen companions are absent, and a restless spirit seeking change of place or work without change of heart show lack of the Spirit, faith, confidence in God and the truth's purifying influence. Contentment, kindness, patience and helpfulness where one already is prove the fruit, requiring self-examination in the light of the Word and working to the point of need before seeking advantage elsewhere.
Abiding in Christ Alone
The fruit grows only by abiding in Christ as the branch abides in the vine, in living, continual, daily and hourly union, drawing life directly from Him and not from another branch. It is borne only by those who remain vitally connected with Jesus, strive to keep God's commandments through His imputed righteousness, and trust His promises with the mind stayed on Him. Without Christ nothing can be done, but those united to Him represent Him and glorify God in body and spirit as His purchased property, showing pure words, unselfish planning in meekness and lowliness, and hearts softened with sympathy, love and compassion. Bearing it is inseparable from a purified heart, a circumspect life, and abilities rightly used rather than seen through worldly eyes, and mere profession without it does not show abiding in Christ. Giving in to impatience drives the Spirit from the heart and makes room for selfishness and evil, while fruit-bearing requires actively cooperating with God and keeping the soul in His love and faith.
The fruit never comes by talent, eloquence, ambitious mastery of controversy, selfish ambition, or studying the Scriptures from pride. Mere Bible knowledge begun in ambition and carried forward in pride leaves the soul destitute of divine love and of the gentleness and meekness of Christ, and does not make a person wise unto salvation or a true Christian. Where the Spirit is present He regenerates the heart, creates love to God and conformity to the image of Christ, and imbues the soul with the love of Christ that always shows itself in love to those for whom He died. Self-control practiced without special grace rebukes those who have access to strength and grace yet do not show these graces, for Christ is the model of meekness and lowliness to be imitated and overcome as He overcame.
The Spirit is not to be used by the person but is to use the person, fashioning the new man created in righteousness and true holiness after Christ's likeness. Working out salvation with fear and trembling means letting God work within both to will and to do of His good pleasure, in contrast to a pompous, overbearing spirit and to vainglory, provoking and envying. His life-giving power, proceeding from Christ and given to every disciple, pervades the soul as juices rise from root to branch, making new the motives and affections and even the most secret thoughts and bringing forth holy deeds. By yielding to His control wrong tendencies are overcome, thoughts are brought into obedience to the divine will, and the person becomes an instrument revealing God's goodness and love. When the human will is committed to God and what is right, the fruits appear in the life, and the divine nature with God's freely given gifts becomes known through receiving His Word.
The fruit is the fruit of faith grounded in Jesus, for genuine saving faith rests on His righteousness and comes with personal knowledge of God. When church members have this experience Christian virtues become visible and their lives aim to glorify God each day. Emptied of self and filled with the Spirit of Christ and changed into His image by beholding Him, the believer receives new spiritual life, new motive power, and faith that works by love and purifies from moral and spiritual defilement. That faith brings enjoyment of spiritual things, no confidence in self, constant unfolding of truth, and earnest labor with God speaking solid, pure, sacred things to His glory. Those so filled are safe in Him and show the new life in Christ, with love instead of hatred, joy instead of discontent and mourning, and peace instead of irritation, anxiety and manufactured trials.
The fruit comes through receiving the truth as it is in Jesus, receiving, believing and obeying His word, and becoming thorough students of the Bible and doers of the Word in obedience to all God's requirements. Study of the Word changes the whole character, gives constant growth in holiness and grace, purges selfishness, passes old ambitions away in the new birth, and reveals refinement and true godliness with love, joy, peace, longsuffering and gentleness. Spiritual life is sustained by spiritual food, even Christ's words, and the gospel believed and lived gives health and vigor so disciples grow like Him and bring the perfection of His character into unselfishness, integrity, kindness and love. It comes also by putting aside feeling and selfish desires, walking humbly, appropriating His promises on every occasion, and relying entirely and trusting implicitly upon God's faithfulness to work out His plans in the heart by sanctification of character. As flowers draw from earth and air to develop into pure buds, believers draw peace, comfort and hope from the promises, appropriating them to carry the fruit into others' lives.
The fruit comes in answer to earnest, united prayer in one accord, when believers feel spiritual need, cease evil-speaking, and cry with intense earnestness for power to overcome infirmities, for Christ's love shed abroad in the heart, and for fitness to save others. It is received by hiding in Jesus and abiding in Him, looking constantly to Jesus instead of others' faults, purifying the defiled soul temple, and asking the Father for the Holy Spirit in earnest, humble, steady, constant faith, for He is more willing to give than parents are to give good gifts. The love of Jesus then purifies what is objectionable, expels selfishness, envy and evil-speaking, and works radical transformation into a new creature with old things passed away. By yielding to grace the graces develop as naturally and beautifully as a lily grows and blooms, produced by God's word and life-giving power. As received, the graces ripen in unselfish love and labor for others, so faith increases, convictions deepen, love is perfected, and Christ's pure, noble and lovely character is increasingly reflected.
Growth in the fruit requires mastering a science deeper, broader and higher than any human science, with the mind disciplined, educated and trained to serve God against inborn inclination. It requires overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, often discarding lifetime training to become a learner in the school of Christ, educating the heart to steadfastness in God, forming habits of thought that resist temptation, and learning to look upward. Every act, word and thought is to be brought into accord with the principles of the Word, which are as high as heaven and compass eternity, and courage, fortitude, meekness, faith and unwavering trust in God's power to save belong to these graces.
The fruit is not developed in a moment but is acquired by years of experience through a life of holy endeavor and firm adherence to the right, by which destiny is sealed. It is sown in the character day by day as part of sanctification, a progressive lifelong work requiring continual effort. It is to be cultivated as part of daily growth so believers may be formed without fault before God's throne.
Proof of True Conversion
The fruit is the evidence and proof of true conversion, renewal, sanctification and Christlike character, revealing whether profession is genuine. A temper ruled by anger, malice, hatred, strife and envy cannot produce it, for those who belong to Christ must crucify selfish desires and walk in the Spirit. The fruit shown in words and actions reveals whether profession of faith is genuine, and those who claim to believe the truth but lack it show the carnal mind still remains. The lack is exposed by the test of trial and affliction, when impatience, fretfulness and demanding great attention reveal an unconverted heart. Those renewed unto righteousness always bear good fruit in pleasant words, true courtesy and unselfish actions that make character fragrant and free life from overbearing and oppression.
Character is known by its fruit as a tree is known by its fruit, and the verse gives the Bible standard for perfection of character by which ideas about perfection must be compared and tested. A life bearing criticism, faultfinding, vainglory, provoking and envying bears a different fruit and proves a wrong conception of perfection. True Christianity bears this fruit to God's glory, for merely nominal observance of the law is not enough when Christ's grace is absent from the heart and He does not abide there by living faith. These graces grow in the Christian and are evidence of genuine sonship to God whatever a person professes or claims from experience, cultivated in personal and family life and in the church, and pride shuts the Spirit out so they cannot be present where pride rules. The fruit is the decisive evidence that teaching and doctrine are true and their advocacy right, for correct application of Scripture sanctifies the receiver and makes him gentle, kind, forbearing, true and Christlike. An interpretation maintained in an unchristlike spirit and bearing bad fruit in temper and action condemns itself, refutes the doctrine and proves a false application, is to be feared and kept far from, and never brings harmony to those who keep reason.
The qualities are the principles of God's law put into practice in the life. A heart renewed by the Spirit obeys God's law written within it and walks as Christ walked, with obedience and a self-denying life as the result of faith and not its basis, founded on grace in Christ. Those who bear them live up to the law's requirements and glorify God, while profession of righteousness without the Spirit's fruit does not show abiding in Christ. There is no condemnation of the law against such character, so those who bear it are free in Christ rather than held in bondage, with the will in harmony with God's will. Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections, passions and lusts, so those who live in the Spirit must also walk in the Spirit, not desirous of vainglory, provoking one another or envying one another, loving all His commandments and manifesting righteousness.
Mere church membership, baptism, outward belonging, receiving gifts, or profession alone without Christ abiding by living faith is fruitless, like a barren tree that darkens the ground and faces being cut down and cursed. Receiving God's gifts and outwardly belonging to the church do not by themselves produce this fruit, for love and the other graces are not seen without living connection with Christ. A fruitless life with only leaves of outward profession fails to bless the world, deprives others of opportunities and privileges they might otherwise receive, and faces God's curse and words of doom. Bearing the fruit testifies to working the works of Christ in vigilant waiting, consecration by surrender in perfect obedience keeping all commandments, self-denial and self-sacrifice rather than pleasing self, in unselfish mercy, disinterested benevolence and love for those Christ came to save, while profession without it is hypocrisy and hollow pretense.
The only real, unequivocal proof of being a true Christian and child of the heavenly King is bearing this fragrant fruit, with the kingdom enthroned in the heart by Christ's presence and with words, actions and very thoughts bearing continual testimony to union with the living Vine and deriving nutriment from Jesus. Where it is present there is beautiful character and a good unselfish heart with manifest divine credentials, suggesting no word of envy or suspicion and letting no evil thought germinate to bear evil fruit. Bearing it demonstrates sincerity in keeping the baptismal vow and being dead to sin with life hid with Christ, requiring earnest prayer for the Spirit within and power through intercession, while its absence reveals selfish spirit, controlling self, perverted will and unbelief bearing witness against the truth. To stand approved in the nearing judgment when every work and secret motive is revealed, and to be prepared for Christ's coming in glory and for translation, sins must be put away and this fruit possessed. It comes by drawing close to Jesus, seeking the divine presence, watching continually unto prayer, daily sanctification, self-discipline, doing everything as in God's immediate presence, wrestling with God until victory is gained, and crucifying a haughty self-sufficient spirit that seeks self-exaltation. It adorns profession by a well-ordered godly life, keeps feet from forbidden paths and the believer pure spotless and undefiled unto the end, urgent because the end is at hand, the Judge stands at the door and believers stand on the borders of the eternal world.
Any good in life, words and teachings is there because Christ put it there and not from goodness in self, so no glory goes to self. Good fruit can come only after the tree is made good, from a heart under the Spirit's control through living faith that clasps Christ's hand in every place and emergency and takes hold of His efficiency without disappointment. The one who bears it has discerned the spiritual character of the law, seen himself as God sees him, bowed in humiliation with genuine repentance toward God and faith toward Christ, been washed and cleansed, and ceased to ascribe goodness, merit or exaltation to self. No longer seeking greatness, revenge, earthly alliance, station or honor nor pulling others down, he becomes gentle, condescending, meek and lowly of heart in Christ's school, grows into His image, bends all energy to win souls, loves Jesus and every blood-bought soul with increasing love even in trial through unselfish labor, and hides the life with Christ in God. Every member is to bear these precious rich clusters to God's glory and become more precious than the golden wedge of Ophir, with rank bitterness made pure sweet wholesome and refreshing as righteousness is sown in peace by peacemakers.
Contrast with Fleshly Works
The fruit stands in direct contrast to the manifest works of the flesh — adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like — and those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. It is love that is pure and unadulterated from the heart of Christ, not love-sick sentimentalism and not beastly defiling lust that destroys what is pure in mind and body and brings death to soul and body, for Christ has bought soul, mind and body and to corrupt them dishonors Him. The fruit is love, joy, peace, patience or longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, with meekness and temperance or self-control named with it, shown in kindly words and deeds as the sign of grace changing a person into fellowship with Christ. Those who bear it are led by the Spirit and are not under bondage to the law, for there is no law to condemn such character. Its love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance oppose anger, enmity, harsh speech and strife, make family life kind and peaceful, shape conduct beyond the home, and show the Spirit dwells within with power to bring others to Christ.
Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections, passions and lusts, and if they live in the Spirit they must also walk in the Spirit. That walk refuses vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another, rivalry and hostility, and fulfills the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens. A temper ruled by anger, malice, hatred, strife and envy cannot produce this fruit, for those who belong to Christ must crucify selfish desires, and the fruit shown in words and actions reveals whether profession is genuine. The qualities stand against self-sufficiency and fleshly conduct, helping believers avoid hostility and provocation toward one another. Becoming thorough students of the Bible and doers of the Word through obedience to all God's requirements produces this fruit and prepares for graduation to the higher school.
Love with joy and peace stands opposite discord and strife, which are the work of Satan and the fruit of sin. To enjoy peace and love together, sins must be put away and harmony with God must be entered, and harmony with one another will follow. Bearing harmony, peace, love, unity, the meekness of Christ, benevolence, kindness and mercy from infinite wisdom proves harmony with Christ, while strife, envy, jealousy and continual contradiction are the opposite unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Him. When God's Spirit rules the heart it creates harmony, love and unity, for God is benevolence, mercy and love, so those truly connected with Him cannot be at variance with one another, and the question of what fruit is borne tests every professed follower.
Suspicion, evil speaking, criticism, prejudice, accusing brethren, sarcasm, humiliating words, envy and selfish ambition oppose the fruit and belong to Satan. Selfish ambition to be first, speaking to the disparagement of associates, vainglory, provoking and envying close the gate of heaven and leave that class without the holy city, and to stand approved in the nearing judgment when every work and secret motive is revealed, sins must be put away and this fruit possessed. That walk leaves no room for conceit or for provoking and envying, and it is the opposite of the corrupt fruit of evil thinking, evil speaking, accusing brethren and tearing character in pieces. When Christ's grace and love enter the soul they are revealed in character and purify away selfishness, envy and evil speaking, and heeding the Spirit's instruction keeps the mind from spiritual blindness. A heart still defiled by sin instead shows selfishness, envy, malice and faultfinding, and the remedy is to turn attention inward, remove these traits and stop judging others.
Sweet love, joy and peace mark the true Spirit, for light and much power alone do not prove the Spirit's presence. Satan can breathe an unholy influence that has light and much power but has no sweet love, joy and peace, and their absence exposes his work to keep souls deceived and to draw back God's children. The appearance of these good fruits in an eminent sense as results of the midnight cry proves that cry was God's special work guided by wisdom from above and not fanaticism. It showed itself in sobriety, humility, solemnity, reverence, self-examination, repentance, confessions and tears, in contrast to the fruit of fanaticism from the flesh and Satan's influence.
These qualities contrast with sinful gratification, which dulls mental and spiritual perception and weakens the heart's responsiveness to God's Word and Spirit. Divine truth controlling the heart leads to good works and makes a person generous and noble-hearted like the Lord, while when evil angels control the heart its fruit is selfishness, covetousness, pride and evil passions. Talents, learning and eloquence without this heavenly love are as meaningless as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, yet this precious treasure is lightly valued and little sought by many who profess faith. Each person should ask if he possesses the grace of love and has learned to suffer long and to be kind. Harsh, ungentle, dictatorial speech and conduct are contrary to those fruits and show that Christ's Spirit is not present.
Character in Daily Conduct
The fruit appears in speech as pure, pleasant, courteous words full of sympathy, compassion, tenderness and meekness, with no harshness, coarseness, rash words, fault-finding, fractiousness, overbearing or oppression, and gentle, kind, uplifting speech itself is fruit borne on the Christian tree while harsh words harm speaker and hearer alike.
It makes character fragrant and free from oppression because the tree has first been made good by a heart under the Spirit's control through living faith that clasps Christ's hand and takes hold of His efficiency.
Kind words, courteous behavior and a peaceful comforting influence show Christ's spirit, while harshness and unkindness show the heart untransformed by truth.
The fruit is to be revealed in every act as holiness to the Lord, with unselfishness, faithfulness, intelligence, purity and honesty in all work and business transactions, leaving no dark corners where dishonest deeds are done, and daily faithful actions preach sermons mingled with Christ's merits.
Benevolence, purity, truth and peace must be seen in dealing with brethren and unbelievers alike, with motives and actions tested by God's law as the only infallible rule of conduct and code of honor.
Conduct, not merely talented speech or prayer in meetings, proves the fruit, for rough carelessness outside meetings and a reckless trifling joking spirit are not grace, while a fruitful life is chaste, modest, elevated, blameless and industrious, and its practical exhibition in kindness, forbearance, gentleness, meekness and disinterested love is of greater value than sermons of boasted learning.
Where coarseness, severity, self-importance and lack of courtesy appear instead, observers conclude religion has made professors no better and a barrier to salvation is erected.
Where the fruit is present self is no longer supreme and no longer seeks greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease, wealth, or sensitivity to reproach and neglect, for old things pass away and life becomes new.
Jesus is put first, Christians are cherished as bearing the Master's image, love extends beyond family and friends to do good to all, all things are seen in unselfish clear light without dwelling on discouragements, and fellow workers are helped with encouraging fatherly words while God is praised for opened ways and evidences of care.
Where the Spirit reigns, envy, resentment, strife, hatred and evil thoughts toward anyone are expelled by love for God and neighbor and perfect love fills the heart.
The fruit means being emptied of self and filled with Christ, with selfishness, hardness, ungodliness, deception, greed and envy purged away and the soul temple cleansed and refined by true godliness.
With Christ abiding and reigning within there is divine illumination and rejoicing, revealed in purity, peace and love, and until envy and jealousy are emptied out and replaced by meekness, gentleness, patience, kindness and love, only weakness, worthlessness and trouble follow.
The Christian life may include bearing the cross and burdens, yet drawing peace and strength from Jesus gives grace to live godly with happiness and peace.
Contentment, kindness, patience and helpfulness in the place and employment where one already is prove the fruit, for a restless disaffection seeking change of place without change of heart shows its lack, since change of place does not change the heart.
The child of God is easily distinguished from the presumptuous self-deceiver, for the fruit is not boisterous noisy boasting self-confidence, empty shouts, harsh expressions or rough language, but humble joy leading to abasement of self, with meekness, patience, gentleness, long-suffering, tenderness of soul, mildness savoring of Christ, mercy and humbleness ruling heart and life.
One who lacks tenderness and comfort for the weak, who boasts of running over others, exhibits self rather than Christ, is proud in spiritual things, unteachable, jealous of slight, craving attention and angered by correction, is sadly deficient and not led by the Spirit.
True humility and childlike simplicity please God and oppose self-exaltation and an independent spirit, and private daily self-control, purity of thought and purpose, devotion and faithfulness in little things at home may be more precious to God than public sacrifice as missionary or martyr.
The fruit is meek, teachable, pure-minded righteousness with truth enthroned in the heart, passions guided by Christ, self hid in Jesus, and a healthful atmosphere surrounding the soul.
Its absence is Pharisaism, pride, loftiness, a controversial combative attitude and desire to rule and substitute human inventions for divine instruction, and without the graces even good abilities and knowledge of truth leave a man's spirit offensive to God and his influence detrimental, with truth so mingled with self as to become unpalatable even to those under conviction.
Self-control as part of the fruit must be deliberately cultivated even to old age, with mastery over words, actions and even a nervous temperament, by choosing to be a child of God clothed with Christ's righteousness, for talk of sonship is useless if an evil spirit flashes out in unsaving words.
Outward religious duties, displays and appearances do not produce these inward graces nor make up for their absence, for they adorn a sanctified heart only when the carnal mind is subdued and the heart reformed.
Israel's lack of these sweet gracious qualities left it unfruitful and withholding God's intended blessings from the world, and likewise profession without inward working leaves professors unfruitful.
Value in God's sight comes not from dress or outward adorning but from inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit seen in a kind word and thoughtful consideration, calling for economy in needless trimmings to advance God's cause, with principal attention to the Word, praise from the heart and no guile in the mouth.
True religion takes hold of the heart, purifies life, controls conduct and overcomes self and evil temper, and is not mere profession.
Those made new show a changed life reflecting Christ's character and leaving former desires, with pride giving way to humility and meekness, vanity and self-assertion to seriousness and modesty, drunkenness to sobriety, impurity to purity, and what was once loved now hated and what was hated now loved.
The change is not mere reform of glaring defects but transformation of the whole man into one loving, patient, kind, forbearing, condescending, continually amiable, tender, unselfish and courteous, with harshness softened and roughness toned down, truth received with love working like leaven.
If instead cold, grumbling, self-sufficient, independent, selfish, harsh, stern, censuring fruits appear, the heart must be probed as the fountain of life, proving Christ's religion is not practiced.
The Spirit's unseen saving work becomes visible when love, humility, peace and joy replace anger, envy, strife and sadness, sinful thoughts and evil deeds are put away, and the countenance reflects heaven's light.
This comes when the soul surrenders to God by faith, the Spirit takes possession, and a new being is created in God's image.
The fruit appears in daily self-denial, self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude and Christian trust, growing through quiet struggles against evil, prayer, watchfulness and victories over temptation.
Envy, pride, malice, jealousy, selfishness and every evil stain are swept away and overcome by earnest effort with God's provided strength, leaving meekness, forbearance, gentleness, charity, mercy and love.
Trials reveal the genuineness of love and faith and, when well borne, strengthen character and mature faith, meekness and love as the Word is received and held fast under its full control until Christ lives within and His character is reproduced in differing measure.
It is displayed in patiently bearing trials, gratefully receiving blessings and firmly resisting temptation, shining before the world in contrast to the selfishness and uncontrolled passions of the natural heart.
A symmetrical character testifying to the Spirit's power is seen in kindness, long-suffering and gentleness.
The fruit manifested in life is a confession of Christ, revealing His character and the purifying influence of truth, springing as righteousness and peace when the words of eternal life are sown and take root in the heart.
Showing this life requires constant watchfulness and persevering, nearly unceasing prayer, and an impatient passionate spirit in the family is contrary to this witness and to be overcome.
The fruits arise naturally as fruit on a tree in a life shaped by religious principle and love for God and others, without display of goodness or dwelling on piety, and the truly righteous willingly do Christ's works with Christian character evident to others even when unconscious of it.
Christ's own humble unassuming life showed this fruit in contrast to religious display and claims of sinlessness.
Heavenly truth refines and sanctifies the receiver to be courteous, kind, affectionate and pure, removing hardness of heart, selfishness, love of the world, pride and ungodly ambition.
Besetting sins, evil habits, wrong tendencies and dispositions are overcome and turned to the right, with holy tempers and sanctified emotions becoming fruit of character, not by human strength or resolutions but as the yielded soul is worked upon by the Spirit through trust in God.
Genuine life bears the fruit with Jesus' love appearing naturally in kind words and deeds, quieting passion and bringing peace and blessing into home, workplace and business dealings.
This practical fruit shows whether God's mind dwells within and guides by His law, for holding doctrines without changed life brings no intended blessing and unsanctifying truth can become a delusion hiding a selfish heart.
It is the outward result of inward transformation when God's love abides, growing naturally rather than put on for show, appearing especially at home in patience, self-denial, thoughtfulness and faith-shaped words and actions, with love from Christ shown in unselfish self-denial and sacrifice for others in home, neighborhood and church, seeking their happiness, softening character and making peace.
Unity and Love Together
Where union with Christ the center exists there is union with brethren, for all approach one another in proportion as they approach Him. Church membership does not make a Christian; the proof is that love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance appear as evidence that His light has penetrated the heart and that justice and purity and truth abide within. This fruit forbids divisions, prejudice, contention, vainglory, provoking and envying, and requires restoring the erring in meekness and bearing one another's burdens in fulfillment of the law of Christ. Separation from Christ brings division and lack of love and respect, while living and walking in the Spirit means crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires and fostering unity rather than strife. Those who bear this fruit become living channels of light with life hid with Christ, and meekness, mutual forbearance, charity and Christlike character draw souls without striving for mastery in discussion.
Mutual support grows on the Christian tree, so believers cultivate kindliness, humility, mercy, justice, courtesy and consideration, put away evil surmisings, hold back bitter words, bear with one another, and remain bound in brotherhood without strife or grasping for superiority. Correction is to be given without haste, harshness or a cross spirit, since harsh words and unfavorable judgments harm both the corrector and the corrected instead of curing wrong. Love for God under the control of Christ's Spirit leads workers to act in an unselfish, benevolent manner, strengthening one another rather than showing anger or roughness.
Those placed in charge over other minds must exercise the Master's Spirit of love, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, courtesy, forbearance and pity, learning self-control so that no scolding or angry word dishonors Christ and reproaches the Christian name. Lacking these qualities shows lack of judgment, leading to arbitrary authority and an overbearing spirit that causes needless pain, places brethren in difficult positions and imperils souls. All are brethren, and those in charge must treat brethren as they themselves would wish to be treated in similar circumstances.
In marriage the fruit appears in kind, patient, forbearing, considerate and courteous conduct, refusing to control one another, overcoming selfishness and serving each other's needs. Christ's grace enables those who trust Him to live this new life and grow in unselfish love, and the inner change wrought by truth makes love noble and pure and brings outward kindness, faithfulness and gentleness. Patience, forbearance and gentleness should likewise shape how a father treats his children, since harshness and anger cannot teach them patience or demonstrate transforming power. In contrast to persecuting zeal, a true Christian does not persecute others for conscientious belief, for Christ's Spirit does not lead to coercion, and neither church membership nor baptism proves conversion unless self dies and the person is raised to newness of life.
Giving way to impatience, selfish or evil thoughts and words, anger, malice, hatred, strife and envy cannot produce this fruit but drives the Spirit from the heart and makes room for selfishness and yielding to temptation. The fruit grows only in living union with Christ through trust in God's promises and keeping attention on Jesus, not by self-reliance, and requires actively cooperating with God and keeping the soul in His love. Lack is exposed by the test of trial and affliction, when impatience, fretfulness and demanding great attention reveal that the carnal mind remains and the heart is unconverted. Gentleness and longsuffering exercised when people or circumstances work against us grow stronger by practice, and practical care for people in need brings a deeper experience of blessing. Love and patience belong to those sanctified in God's love, while crowding vainglory into the heart, laboring for human honor and applause more than for self-examination, and seeking to stand first opens the heart to dissatisfaction, envy and jealousy when expected respect is withheld. That spirit leads to demeriting others, magnifying their faults and seeking to injure their reputation, which is hateful to God.
The fruit is Christlike character that is true, pure, holy, full of sympathy and love, shown by turning from accusing and tearing down to thinking well and speaking well of brethren and sisters. It thinks no evil, is not puffed up, and hopes and believes all things not of evil and false reports but of all that is pure, good and of good report, loving one another. Heavenly love flowing outward and peace sought, pursued and brought into the soul prove the indwelling of the Spirit, who alone works with, in and through erring people to form a character God can approve like Christ's, without which none can be saved. With growth comes need for deeper experience met by Christ's sacrifice and daily seeking of blessing, giving searching power, faithful witness, circumspect conduct, growing hatred for sin and work to save sinners whom God forgives and clothes with righteousness.
Patience, kindness, mercy, love, righteousness, peace and grace are attributes of Christ that must be brought into daily experience, and humble faithful workers who trust God and labor in His name manifest them with fragrant influence as evidence of what grace can do through weak agents. When men and women are led and guided by the Spirit to magnify God's law and advance the kingdom of grace, the fruit is evident in heart, life and character, the work goes forward, and souls are reached and saved. As long as this fruit is shown, Christ sends His Spirit with those who go to all nations and strong angels aid every soul who by living faith makes God his strength.
Home Church and Mission
The fruit must be cultivated in the heart and in families, at home and in the church, with channels of thought, desire and action refined, purified and ennobled. It is received by hiding in Jesus and abiding in him, looking to Jesus constantly instead of at the faults of others, purifying the defiled soul temple, and asking the heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit in earnest, humble, steady, constant faith, for the Father is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask than parents are to give good gifts to their children, and rich blessings are in store for those positioned to receive them. Parents are to cultivate these graces in the home as they train their children for God, with spiritual growth showing itself in conduct and in acknowledging God in all ways.
The fruits should appear in everyday life and character, and welcoming Jesus into the home allows his presence to influence the family and restrain impatience and selfishness. This applies particularly to parents, who should practice forbearance and self-control, especially when tired or burdened, rather than letting irritability affect the household, for God's grace is sufficient to overcome natural impatience and irritability. Parents are to control themselves, speak kindly, and show patience and forbearance, keeping their spirit from distressing the family and helping make the home a place of peace and kindness. Cherishing the Saviour's attributes helps parents guide their children to live as trees of righteousness bearing this fruit, with graces formed at home carried into school and church where God is glorified. In family life parents are to live under the Spirit's influence and show Christ's love, kindness and tenderness, making these qualities part of children's home education, and the Spirit co-operates with parents in shaping character and taking lives under his control, so that when parents teach the principles that governed Christ's life and work for unity, dissension is driven out and unity and love abide, with parents and children sharing in the gift of the Holy Spirit. These qualities of Christlike character — love, kindness, gentleness, forbearance and longsuffering — are expressed in the small acts of daily life, especially through polite regard for others and soft, peaceable, encouraging words at home, and such habits shape character and make the home reflect Christlike order.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness expressed in a home through love, cheerfulness, contentment and a kindly, forbearing spirit brighten family life and promote children's mental and physical health. A mother who keeps calm, patient, kind and self-controlled in discipline maintains her influence and dignity and controls her children more easily, and the power of her example for good is seen in their deportment. Harsh words, scolding, threatening, intimidation and passionate blows do not change inward feelings but arouse self-assertion and combativeness and make children restless, willful, stubborn, unsubmissive and insubordinate, and every harsh word and blow is reflected back in heavier burdens for the mother. Only kindness, patience and calm bless and save and gain souls to the fold of Christ, while harsh rule trains, rules and ruins. The Holy Spirit tempers evil dispositions and makes children mild and gentle, so parents must first correct young children in love and subdue their evil temper, and then carry them to God in prayer and plead for him to do what they cannot do by his Holy Spirit, and God loves to answer that prayer when parents have done their duty. The graces are cultivated in a mother's own words and deportment, for while she teaches her little ones self-denial and with tender interest works the soil of their hearts to subdue their natural sinful inclinations, she educates herself to be a pattern to them, learning to be calm and unhurried and free from excitement and nervous haste.
Parents should teach children self-denial, restraint of appetite, and control of anger and self-will from early childhood, with self-control applied to family life. In family life parents are to live under the Spirit's influence and show Christ's love, kindness and tenderness, making these qualities part of children's home education. Those who minister in word and doctrine must first share in the Spirit's fruit. Bridle the disposition, and peace and contentment can fill the soul and take root. Cultivating grateful thanks for the privilege of knowing the truth and grateful thanksgiving opens the heart so it overflows with God's love, and by looking to Christ and beholding him and losing sight of self, a person is changed in character and rejoices in Christ's redeeming love.
Ministers should show these graces through kindness, forbearance, humility, respectful courtesy and unselfish care for others, with unselfish service and personal care for families. Such conduct helps them gain people's confidence and reach hearts, exerting greater influence than preaching without personal effort in families and helping win souls to Christ, influencing people more powerfully than preaching from the pulpit without individual effort. Giving full proof of ministry requires more than preaching, requiring practical ministering and practical instruction in daily Christian life and duty by presenting patience, meekness, forbearance, long-suffering, cheerfulness and joyfulness in the truth in one's own life and not a love for controversy. The Spirit's fruit is seen in practical Christian character — patience, meekness, forbearance, long-suffering, cheerfulness and joyfulness in the truth — rather than a love of controversy. Patience and longsuffering, gentleness and love are Christlike fruit that must be steadily manifested, especially by those who teach and care for youth, and failure to manifest them, acting instead with overbearing harshness, unbelief and resistance to God, suspicion and jealousy, changeableness and feeling-led inconsistency, proves unfitness to deal with human minds and lack of true Christianity and perfection of character.
A teacher should cultivate patience and gentleness, exercise self-control, and not excuse a hasty temper as natural or as an ignorant mistake. Those who guide others must reach a higher standard and be a guide and example in patience, longsuffering, kindness and compassion. Bearing this fruit requires sanctifying grace and a close, living connection with God as an ever-growing Christian with strong faith, complete consecration, perfect love and ardent zeal, making steady advancement in the knowledge and love of Christ, with spiritual discernment and a single eye to the glory of God, so that growth appears to all and witnesses to those under charge, and present and future usefulness depends on that living connection. Patience and forbearance belong to the Spirit-shaped Christian life, and teachers who live under the Holy Spirit's discipline and keep their souls in God's love can exercise these graces in Christlike work. Those accepted as fellow workers in God's institutions at Washington, D.C. and Mountain View must possess this character, with temperance in the full meaning of the word meaning control of self and faithful building of character rather than planning for others. When truth abides in the hearts of those in charge and they walk in the light shining from God's Word, younger workers catch the desire to understand and seek the Lord, and the fruit is reproduced in them.
The fruit is seen in the life of workers who do house-to-house work and give Bible readings in families, showing growth in grace by submission to the will of Christ, and in faith receiving, believing and obeying Christ's word. This brings rich experience, the efficiency of the Holy Spirit in life-work, intensity of earnest effort, and a faith that works by love and purifies the soul, with the Spirit's efficiency seen in the person's work as the fruit is seen in the life. The verse means working for souls with humble, trustful dependence upon God, with sympathy, kindness, forbearance and love as abiding principles, patiently instructing others and being a blessing to all around, without excitement, without criticism or a harsh, denunciatory spirit, without reining others up to meet one's own ideas, without desire for vainglory, provoking one another or envying one another. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, self crucified, and if we live in the Spirit we also walk in the Spirit, faithfully guarding every avenue of religious exercises lest selfishness and pride intrude and become interwoven with them, because old things have passed away and all things have become new, so that the love of Jesus and the peaceable fruits of righteousness are revealed and love with its companion graces is revealed in good works to the glory of God by consistent, symmetrical Christians. In every work done as laborers together with God for the uplifting and blessing of suffering humanity, Christ's merits are to be mingled like incense with all that is done, in constant dependence on him acknowledged by prayer and praise, with the fruits of Christ's Spirit revealed in all actions.
The true test that recommends worship to God, especially for large churches with great light and privileges, is not large organs and vocal and instrumental music but true consecration proved by character. The Christian is a tree whose soundness is revealed by yielding a harvest of precious fruit, the attributes of Christ, which brethren linked with brother are to develop together while drawing inspiration from Christ and holding the cross of Calvary as abiding hope after crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. Bearing this fruit glorifies the Father and marks Christ's disciples. The Spirit of Christ produces visible fruits in a Christian's life, including joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness and goodness, appearing in daily conduct and influencing others, helping a person through difficult situations and drawing souls to Christ, depending on abiding in Christ and walking in the Spirit, with Christ helping believers overcome the flesh and wrong feelings at every step, and a Christian's life should reveal Jesus rather than be marked by jealousy, evil surmising, foolish talk or unkind remarks. Bearing this fruit makes a person profitable to God: it glorifies him, helps bring others into his service, and appears in a holy, blameless life that exemplifies Christ and shows that the truth transforms the soul and renews the mind, while without this transformation religious claims carry no weight and a person may have a form of godliness yet remain an unprofitable, slothful servant.
The verse describes the principles of the kingdom of God that everyone who claims to be a child of the heavenly King must constantly represent in spirit, in word and in works. When missionary work is entered upon with this fruit it becomes elevating and uplifting both to the laborer and to the person helped, and being loyal and true to all the precepts and commandments of the Lord as faithful, trustworthy subjects of the kingdom of Christ gives those who are worldly-wise a true representation of the riches, the goodness, the mercy, the tenderness and the courtesy that belong to citizens of the kingdom of God. True gospel doctrine fills believers with the fruits of peace and piety from the Lord, visibly seen in the suppression of vice and the promotion of order and harmony, in a community with no quarrel, no hypocrisy, no envy and no strife, but with union and peace dwelling among them. The graces of the Spirit of Christ displayed in the life are the mark of true followers of the true Shepherd, brought into exercise by the perils of the last days through piety, self-denial, cross-bearing, faithfulness, religious fervor and steadfastness to the faith, producing an army of faithful ones brought out of the Piedmont valleys and the Alps mountains in contrast to the prevailing spirit that evades truth.
Love and joy, with a pleasant spirit, are revealed by giving up self and taking Jesus Christ, through whom believers are enabled to show them, and this enabling keeps workers from giving up too easily amid widespread corruption and sadness caused by meeting self in fellow workers. This belongs with not devoting all strength to those who already know the truth and not working without periods of rest. Love strengthens because it is a fruit of true Christian work, coming with the baptism of the Holy Spirit bringing new life, new energy, a purifying tide and transformation of character, and when the soul is consecrated to God he works with human effort so commandment-keeping people can expect efficiency, with loyalty to God and sympathy and purity of soul making hearts one with Jesus Christ. When the human will is enlisted on the side of God and right, the fruits of the Spirit appear in the life, and God has appointed glory, honor and peace to every man that works good. Love, piety and faith cherished in the heart produce precious fruits in a person's life. The fruit must appear in anyone trusted with high responsibilities, coming when a man takes himself in hand daily and through grace given sets his heart in order, inquiring at every step whether it is the way of the Lord and keeping his heart open to the impress of heaven instead of hardened by temptation and ruled by natural disposition. Without this he becomes sapless and impoverished and bears only wild fruit, doing great harm, and those who refuse the guidance of the Father in heaven lose the blessings and privileges within their reach forever. The fruit produced by abiding in Christ is a life shaped by the Spirit bearing purity and holiness rather than pride, envy, jealousy, suspicion or strife for status, and the character of a person's fruit reveals what kind of tree they are.
Temperance and Bodily Health
Temperance, or self-control, is part of the fruit of the Spirit along with the other excellencies named in the verse, and it means bringing appetites and passions under control so that the higher powers rule over the lower and men and women stand in God-given manhood and womanhood as conquerors under Christ. Strict temperance keeps the intellect unimpaired so that God-given abilities can be faithfully used to oppose the enemy's work, and it is reflected in keeping the spirit sweet, pure and holy. Such complete self-control comes only by accepting Jesus Christ and cooperating with God in His strength, and it grows by exercise until right principles become habit and grace molds the sinner into a new creature. The Holy Spirit thus produces holy character including self-control, and true religion leads people to govern themselves rather than to control one another.
Bearing this fruit requires keeping all powers in the best condition for God's service, for true sanctification embraces the entire being, spirit, soul and body. It requires cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, abstaining from fleshly lusts and every practice that weakens physical or mental strength or benumbs spiritual perception, and refusing to enfeeble or defile by indulgence of appetite or passion the living sacrifice offered to God. Those who belong to Christ crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts, bringing bodily desires under control rather than indulging harmful appetites, and such self-control supports consecration to God and the development of Christian character. A healthful condition of the body is necessary for the successful perfection of Christian character, for a diseased body and disordered intellect from continual indulgence in hurtful lust make sanctification of body and spirit impossible, while the heart cannot maintain consecration to God while lustful appetite is indulged.
Indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification, and even with profession of health reform many eat improperly. Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and mental debility and lies largely at the foundation of feebleness and premature death, while the fruit of the Spirit is purity of spirit that requires continual advancement. The one seeking to possess purity of spirit must bear in mind that in Christ there is power to control the appetite. One enslaved to alcohol or stimulating drinks and confused in reason is to have the moral powers aroused to total abstinence rather than moderate use, looking to Jesus and trusting His grace to overcome the unnatural craving. By so looking, such a one regains self-control, keeps the body in healthful condition for His service, and presents the body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God with a renewed, sober mind.
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit especially needed by a mother in training her children, joined with perfect self-control. This patience and self-control are secured by guarding against physical and mental disorder and by ordering life according to the laws of God and of health. Because diet materially affects the mind and disposition, eating what is nourishing but not stimulating keeps the nerves calm and the temper even, making it easier to exercise patience with the varying tendencies of children and to hold the reins of government firmly yet affectionately. The home is a school from the cradle to maturity where children are trained and where the mother as principal teacher learns the most valuable lessons of her life. Those who put their trust in Christ are not to be enslaved by any hereditary or cultivated habit or tendency, but instead of being held in bondage to the lower nature they rule every appetite and passion. God has not left people to battle evil in their own finite strength, and whatever inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong they have can be overcome through the power He is ready to impart. Moral excellence is reached through earnest, persistent effort aided by God's grace, including the subduing of self and the overcoming of wicked tempers, for bitterness and wrath defile the soul while uncontrolled anger denies Christ and harms others.
History Prophecy and Promise
God looked to the house of Israel and to the men of Judah for love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, but found them wanting, bringing forth wild grapes of oppression and a cry instead of judgment and righteousness, and the same expectation rests on professed followers today who have knowledge of the Scriptures, who must examine heart and mind lest they disappoint the Owner of the vineyard and must not harden their hearts while it is called today but work out salvation with fear and trembling as God works in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. These qualities appeared in the lives of those who returned to the gospel and remained steadfast in the freedom Christ gave, as the revealed work of the Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and faith. Moses showed the opposite murderous spirit in killing the Egyptian and proved unfit to represent the God of mercy, love and tenderness, however learned and able, losing confidence and fleeing from Pharaoh as if his sin barred him from delivering Israel, and God permitted the mistake and flight to teach him the gentleness, goodness and longsuffering necessary to every successful laborer for the Master.
The fruit does not perish but reproduces itself and yields a harvest unto eternal life, and when Christ's character is perfectly reproduced in His people He will come to claim them. All the redeemed must have the reformation of cleansing of mind and heart from every taint of sin, in whom self-sacrifice constantly appears and goodness and righteousness are seen, the quiet inward experience making the life full of godliness, faith, meekness and patience as a daily experience, forming characters free from sin and made righteous in and by the grace of Christ with hearts cleansed from all impurity in the blood shed to take away sin. Love, joy and peace are precious gifts God has in store and waits to bestow in abundance, not scantily, on all who serve Him in spirit and in truth, received by asking God to search the heart and turning from selfish gratification, making followers recognizable as having learned of Jesus and as His peculiar people zealous of good works, standing constantly in readiness for service with increased grace and power and increased knowledge of the Spirit's working, reaching higher and still higher for power from above with glorious triumph, though many are not ready to receive them, and they are credentials of faith accompanying obedience and trust, helping present the message of the cross and bringing peace in walking by faith rather than feeling.
Hope, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness and love are what Jesus wills His people to be full of, for God does not will them to remain in sorrow and discouragement, and the fullness comes by Christ living in the soul, drawing all spiritual nourishment from Jesus as the life of the soul, turning to the consolations provided in His Word, and by faith grasping the promises of the forgiving love of a longsuffering Saviour even when severe outward trials press and self is known, discerning His love and matchless mercy. As flowers draw properties from earth and air to develop into pure buds and give fragrance, believers draw peace, comfort and hope from the promises, which alone teach what God has prepared for those who love Him, developing peace, joy and faith and carrying them into the lives of others. Love, joy, peace and kindred graces including hope, courage, faith and divine charity come by a daily endowment and baptism of the Holy Spirit, cultivated by cherishing faith, hope, courage and large love and letting the peace of God rule in the heart, giving moral efficiency to discharge responsibilities with calm subdued dignity in ministry to relieve suffering as testimony of having learned of Jesus.
Brotherly love is love without dissension, as when the whole company of disciples in the days of the apostles were of one accord, and joy, peace, courage, hope and divine charity have power to propagate themselves, bringing health to mind, body and soul and blessing others by molding the characters of children and youth, transforming and assimilating their young impressionable minds and hearts by divine grace. This makes one a living channel of light conveying Christian principles to other souls through patient protracted incessant effort, conquering through Christ by coming close to brethren, cherishing faith and confidence in them so they give strength, and committing the keeping of the soul to God in intelligent appropriating faith with a gentle loving spirit that lets a bright light shine forth. Love, joy and peace are the Holy Spirit giving life to the soul and become visible as brightness, cheerfulness and sunshine of love on the face of one who looks to Jesus by faith and lives close to God, and this reflected joy and peace uplifts others who do not know Christ's presence, so gratitude, songs of thanksgiving and praise should be cultivated to bring more of that love into life.
Time spent on chart-making should not have displaced growing in the graces of the Spirit and in knowledge of the truth. Taking a wrong position in controversy over the law in Galatians, especially when the question has not been fully understood, is failing to cherish the Spirit of Christ that must be cherished, bringing sad loss to the church. The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control, marking a life shaped by the divine nature and by receiving God's Word, and also makes God's freely given gifts known. The life is to bear beautiful fruit grown in the human heart as a crop grows in tilled soil, for the human heart is soil where seeds of truth are sown, and when God molds the mind into graceful symmetry and trains raw physical and mental energies for the Master's service the fruit appears, a lesson those who till the soil and do farm work can study while they work.
The fruit describes practical godliness lived out in daily conversion, which is the great need in the world, with no law against it, marking those who belong to Christ as having crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts, so that to live in the Spirit is also to walk in the Spirit, and this is the holy standard expected in the Lord's institutions. These qualities are needed to replace impatience, fault-finding, an overbearing disposition and ungovernable passion, and developing them is part of reforming the heart, for letting the brutish nature control instead of the spiritual reverses God's order. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, with meekness and temperance, appear when tastes, appetites, habits and passions are brought under control of the Spirit of God, where understanding and heart keep closest connection with the pure sacred springs of light and inspiration, living in hourly contact and earnest communion with God, drinking deeper of the Fountainhead, with principles of truth and righteousness and mercy abiding in the heart in loving God with all heart, soul and mind and neighbor as self.
Their presence gives the depth of piety, discernment and enlightenment needed to decide righteously in the great questions of humanity, morals and religion in the last days, and their absence through want of sincere piety and firm purpose to lead a self-denying pure holy life shows deficiencies that exclude one from the work of the ministry. The fruit is borne upon the Christian tree when the Saviour dwells within and supplies a pure holy current of love, meaning strong deep sympathies and pure powerful heavenly principles brought into the work for this time, with self and its baleful results set aside, summing up all righteousness, purity, holiness and perfect benevolence. It proves love to God with all the heart and love to neighbor as self, requires refined elevated moral taste and passions brought under control, comes from wearing the robe of Christ's righteousness and living the gospel, and means being right with God.
The fruit is revealed in a Christlike life as Christ abides in the soul and His life is reflected in it, appearing in actions such as repaying others' neglect with kindness, for pure love comes from God and the unconverted heart cannot produce it, flourishing where Christ reigns with power consisting in doing good and nothing else, so that even a small act done from love is fruitful and God values the love behind the work more than the amount accomplished. Destitution of the fruits comes from neglect to do what Christ told to do, and they are gained by learning to rely upon God in difficulties, which grows faith and experience and gains spiritual strength, where being corrected and helped by brethren when a leader errs by permitting human influence to sway judgment or yielding to temptation is part of that growth, while failure to rely on God leaves religious experience dwarfed. Love, peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit, and patience in trials and injuries, gentleness under provocation, kindness, meekness and lowliness are signs of this spiritual fruit and of a heart that no longer esteems itself highly, following repentance and putting away self-righteousness for Christ's righteousness and showing fitness for God's service.
Faith and doctrine from above destroy sin and produce love, joy, peace, forbearance and meekness, and advanced truth received must produce patience, faith, hope and charity in the heart with saving influence upon human minds, proving branches of the true Vine. The fruit is diffused not by starting arguments at once on doctrinal subjects but by talking of the lessons of Christ, by wise dealing with souls for whom Christ paid the price of His own precious blood, by integrity and amiability of character and solid attainments in Christian growth, by never fainting or being discouraged when those educated in error and darkness do not immediately respond, and by pity and Christlike patience, purity of heart, tenderness of word and earnest fervent spirit revealing living connection with God. The rich clusters are borne when a person comes to Christ in faith and is grafted into His life and character, adopted as a son of God and joint heir with Christ, partaking of the divine nature and escaping the corruption in the world through lust, proving an ingrafting that separates from the world and from love for vile contaminating society, with death to sin and new life to God through Jesus Christ bringing new affections, new appetites and new tastes where old things have passed away and all things have become new.
The graces are expressed in a life reflecting Christ, where love remains an abiding principle shown through patience, forbearance, longsuffering, gentleness, cheerful words and tender affection, helping represent Jesus and bring blessing to others, though absorption in temporal business can quench the love to be exercised toward them. Abilities, reasoning, talents and other capabilities are to be used in religious life, and the one who bears rich fruit with love, kindness, compassion and humility depends on Christ rather than human praise, distinguishing those who obey God from those who disobey. The fruit is seen in character by which Christians are judged, and habits including dress affect spiritual growth, so rather than making changing fashions the chief concern character should be shaped by the pattern in God's Word.
The precious heavenly graces in the soul are lost one after another while playing the game of life for the soul with Satan, who as he steals each grace substitutes his own attributes in its place, and if the loss continues it becomes an entire eternal loss giving Satan the victory. The Holy Spirit's sanctifying influence produces meekness and gentleness to shape words and actions in the home, and faith in Christ gives a right spirit and motive with goodness and heavenly-mindedness from looking to Jesus, so that as Christ's love gives new life believers practice love, patience, gentleness, goodness, mercy and every grace found in God's children. Love, tenderness, kindness, compassion and affection are the fruit Jesus desires believers to produce and present before the world as witness that they have a Saviour who uplifts and satisfies, maintained by faith laying hold on a living God and by the presence of Jesus Christ with His truth shining in the heart and pervading all life actions, proving whether one is a branch of the true vine.
Fruit-bearing branches are pruned by the Great Husbandman through removal of all that is useless and hinders growth so they bring forth more fruit, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit is manifested in heart, disposition, conversation and all dealings with others, including keeping promises even at personal cost. The fruit is seen in Christlike character when workers welcome Christ's presence and treat one another with gentleness, patience, longsuffering, love, good temper and a cheerful spirit, replacing harshness and sharp words. Good fruit appears when the Word is not only spoken as truth but taught in love, as the character qualities completed by meekness and temperance, and those bearing it have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts and are endowed with whatever is honest and lovely and of good report. Spiritual life sustained by receiving and practicing Christ's words enables bearing the fruits daily and revealing Christ's character.
The fruits are the standard by which all will be judged, and bearing them requires not only believing in Christ but depending on Him for success and salvation, observing all His commandments and ordinances and faithfully discharging every duty as stewards of His grace, striking deep and taking root in the best soil, the Word of the living God, so as to grow in strength and be rich in good works in spirit, word and action. The fruit is revealed in the life as soon as the Word is received with its refining purifying influence, and having it goes with possessing the grace of obedience for all who hear the word. The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and faith as the spiritual fruits God expects from those who work in His vineyard, whose lives should show love for one another, freedom from strife and loyalty to God, with fruit testifying to its divine source.
Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance appear in the sons and daughters of the Lord when they grow in efficiency, seek the Holy Spirit in great need, shut themselves in with God, pray much and behold Jesus more, patiently exercise faith and trust God implicitly, cease to exalt self and become meek and lowly in heart, bring tastes and appetites into captivity to Jesus Christ, keep passions under control so the mind is clear for the Spirit to operate upon, and receive gospel principles in home life and daily experience, having crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts so the inner work works outward. God's servants reveal Him to the world through a humble careful walk marked by love, forbearance, longsuffering and gentleness, and leaders should display patience, kindness, compassion, faith, consecration, love and zeal as example and help others bear them, enabled by growing in the knowledge and love of Christ and staying closely connected with God. The fruit is seen in Christlike qualities, naming patience, kindness, meekness, goodness, sympathy and tender compassion as graces to cultivate, heavenly qualities flourishing in mind, heart and character as people share the divine nature and overcome the world's corruptions, unlike rough uncourteous unkind dispositions which are not of Christ.
A life shaped by heaven's principles reveals the fruits in a character softened, subdued and sweetened, with every detail reflecting sanctification practiced daily. Christian character bears love, meekness, godliness, patience, longsuffering and kindliness as signs of Christlike character and influence, not outward customs or symbols. The graces must be cultivated and not trusted to own strength or good opinion of own attainments, with careful watchfulness in deportment and prayer, for self-indulgence, carelessness and neglect of duty deprive of the precious blessings realized only by the self-sacrificing humble meek and lowly, requiring cherishing every ray of heavenly light, reproof, warning and encouragement, since great light and great privileges bring responsibility for that light. The fruit is expressed in Christlike love and heavenly qualities, imparting love, pity, kindness and tenderness through actions, building one another up and bringing happiness to people in need and affliction, spreading a pure peaceful Christlike influence and producing good fruit of heavenly kind and quality.
The fruit is the adorning Christ approves, the hidden man of the heart in a meek and quiet spirit of great price in God's sight, distinguishing God's people from the world, testifying of itself in good works, and in loving sympathetic tenderness revealing that they wear Christ's yoke and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. A life shaped by faith and trust in God displays the special fruits in character. Practicing truth through sanctification means cutting off selfishness and showing fair unselfish conduct, and the thorough working of the Holy Spirit in hearts produces brotherly love and kindness representing the beauty of grace and love that dwelt in Christ the great Teacher, where that fruit is missing men serve self instead of representing Christ.
Letting the Spirit of God rule in the heart changes natural ways and habits by grace, healing alienation even between family members such as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Christ's love brings sweet joy reflected in calm cheerful words, manners and expressions giving others hope, courage and serenity, strengthening the faint and comforting those facing temptation, cultivated through the life within including small duties of daily life. The fruit must appear as patience, longsuffering, kindness and compassion, and those guiding others must reach a higher standard as guide and example in these graces, requiring sanctifying grace and close living connection with God as an ever-growing Christian with strong faith, complete consecration, perfect love and ardent zeal, making steady advancement in knowledge and love of Christ with spiritual discernment and single eye to God's glory, so growth appears to all and witnesses to those under charge, on which present and future usefulness depends.
Kindness, forbearance, longsuffering, gentleness and patience are gifts to be cultivated in disciplined life beforehand to be ready for service, so when called by the Master the Christian is ready to exercise heart and mind in practical work revealing those qualities in helping and blessing those ready to die. The character Christ forms by genuine religion gives all power to form a true noble character, and receivers become partakers of the divine nature with real repentance appearing in Christlike words and deeds, revealing every day and hour faith in Him as Sin-bearer, with fruit as love, hope, longsuffering, patience and kindness, and self-denial lifting the cross and following Jesus, making men and women lights and representatives of the Saviour. Marks of true religion include faith, hope, patience, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness and mercy, fruits by which people are known leading to faithful service, and though Christ purchased eternal rewards they are proportioned to works, so believers must not drift into listlessness or false security.
Belief in Christ works transformation of character by grace so those once dead in trespasses and sins manifest the fruits in disposition, words and actions as partakers of the divine nature. The fruits are borne by those who live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, from truth dwelling within, Christ within, sanctification through truth, conformity to Christ's image and fullness of God, becoming living channels of light with life hid with Christ in God, whose hidden heavenly character the world does not see though its effects are manifest in spirit and actions speaking louder than profession, drawing souls to Christ and truth without striving for mastery in discussion when associating with unbelievers, by meekness, love and Christlike character. Pure Christlike divine love leaves no hatred and produces joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith and meekness through unselfish aims and plans and most unselfish thorough labor for present truth, because work must bear the test of judgment, requiring a transformed character and unchanged heart made by Christ alone after the divine model, without which life proves a miserable failure.
Christlike character revealed in daily life is sustained by spiritual food, even Christ's words, and the gospel believed and lived gives eternal life with spiritual health and vigor enabling the fruit to appear, so as disciples feed on His Word they grow like Him and bring His perfection into their characters, manifesting unselfishness, integrity, kindness and love with Christlikeness in all they do, proving they eat the bread of heaven and draw living water from salvation's wells. Constant study of the Word gives growth in holiness and grace and changes the whole character with old ambitions passed away in the new birth, and then love, joy, peace, longsuffering and gentleness appear with refinement and true godliness and selfishness purged. Followers must show love, patience, kindness and other qualities of true charity in character, for generous offerings cannot make up for their absence, and followers are known by fruits borne.
Abiding faith and trust bear visible fruit as lives take root in God's Word, depend on Christ, rely on His promises and are sanctified in character, revealed in practicing truth like trees bearing fruit, manifested in spirit, words and actions rich in good works as privilege, by which lives are judged. The Holy Spirit adorns the human agent with spiritual graces, and the cross brings the proud selfish heart into direct contact with the Holy Spirit so Christ's riches fill the mind and Christ is commended to those who do not know Him. The Spirit's presence prepares workers to develop Christian qualities, serving with Christ as companion to learn patience and kindness with words and feelings shaped away from harshness and unkindness.
A life influenced by renewing grace bears good fruit where religious principles strengthen good intentions and help children become obedient and kind. The Spirit's work includes directing every action, and God's people must yield to that control to grow in grace and remain pure amid last-days corruption in preparation for immortality, for right relationship with God is revealed in the fruits. The fruit God expects is pure holy character expressed in godliness, self-denial for others' good, meekness and loveliness of heart, including penitence, faith and obedience, with Christ the perfect model so that following Him means living out the precepts of God's law.
A thorough reformation wrought by God makes the fruits dwell within, appearing in a godly shining life that makes the Christian a light and a help and blessing to God's cause. The fruit becomes visible as the gospel sanctifies the soul, seen both in these qualities and in actions. The fruits appear in truly converted lives as evidence of spiritual life, not merely assent or outward formality, with Christ's grace supplying spiritual life to shine and the divine Spirit transforming heart and mind, renewing the mind and leading to watchfulness, love for God and willing obedience. Conversion is revealed in love as abiding principle expressed toward others with Christ's tenderness, patience and goodness in a changed character shaped by contemplating the cross and obeying God's commandments, for joining the church does not prove joining Christ unless lives reveal these virtues, and their absence clouds others' minds with unbelief.
Those with Christ's mind reveal His graces with His Spirit abiding in them, showing truth has brought reformation and the soul is renewed, purified and sanctified, while one not bearing fruit is not transformed and lacks heart-connection with Christ even if regarded as faithful. The fruit Christ claims from His church after patient care is faith, patience, love, forbearance, heavenly-mindedness, meekness, with patience, forbearance, self-control, lowliness and meekness as heavenly graces, and lacking them closes heaven's gates, so hasty uncontrolled fretting complaining murmuring stubborn temper pampering self must be overcome as spiritual disease, with ample provision for help in difficult places, these clusters maturing amid storm, cloud and darkness as well as sunshine. The fruit is seen in Christlike love with patience, kindness, forbearance and love revealing Christ's grace in conduct especially in family life, shown in words and actions blessing both those served and the one bearing trials patiently.
The graces are to be cherished, for living by one's own spirit, self-will and natural feelings instead prevents effective service in God's cause. The Spirit produces love, joy and peace with temperance as refusing to defile the body as temple of the Holy Ghost, as Daniel's self-control resisting Babylonian food and drink shows religious principle can help youth overcome bodily desire and remain true to God even at great personal cost. Love, joy and peace are fruits and credentials of belonging to Christ, with love as a heavenly plant rooted in the heart and carefully cherished, and Christ's presence uniting believers so disagreement is not treated as proof brethren are wrong, His Spirit producing a sweet spirit of union. The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness and goodness in a life hidden with Christ in God, marking spiritual growth and holiness, and Christlike love shows the world God sent His Son to save humanity.
Keeping the mind stayed upon Christ and constantly looking to and patterning after Him as personal Saviour grows character as He comes as rain, as former and latter rain, and as Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings, causing growth as the lily, reviving as the corn and growth as the vine, growing up into Him in all things with growing faith, sanctified conscience and increasing likeness in works and words and belief in His Word. These fruits grow as minds are kept on Christ and His example followed, with God's Word received into the heart cleansing and sanctifying, the Holy Spirit giving wisdom and unselfish love human power cannot supply, and grace conforming believers to His character reflected in lives. In those one with Christ, emptied of self and filled with His Spirit and changed into His image by beholding Him, the Holy Spirit works righteousness with new spiritual life, new motive power, faith working by love and purifying from moral and spiritual defilement, enjoyment of spiritual things, no confidence in self and constant unfolding of truth.
The fruit is love not hatred, joy not discontent and mourning, peace not irritation, anxiety and manufactured or needless trials, with longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance or self-control, against which there is no law, and bearers are earnest laborers with God with heavenly cooperation, ennobled and refined, speaking solid pure sacred things to God's glory, as branches of the True Vine bearing rich clusters with Christ dwelling within as a well of water springing into everlasting life, with Christ all and in all. When these qualities abide they bring unity of thought and action, adorning profession by well-ordered life and godly conversation, keeping feet from forbidden paths and crucifying the flesh with affections and lusts, coming by drawing close to Jesus, seeking the divine presence, watching continually unto prayer and doing everything as in God's immediate presence, keeping the believer pure spotless undefiled unto the end.
Holding the beginning of confidence firm unto the end establishes the way in God, so what grace has begun glory crowns in the kingdom, made urgent because the end of all things is at hand, the Judge stands at the door, believers stand on the borders of the eternal world, and sin is seen in light from Christ's cross. The fruit appears in life exerting telling influence and marking true conversion where self is no longer supreme and one no longer seeks greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease or wealth nor remains sensitive to reproach and neglect, but in Christ old things pass away and life becomes new, with love extending beyond family and friends, putting Jesus first, cherishing Christians as bearing the Master's image and doing good to all mankind, growing on the true Vine and more precious to God than earthly wealth and learning. Parents are to cultivate these graces in the home training children for God, with spiritual growth showing in conduct and acknowledging God in all ways.
Fruit-bearing is shown by pure words, unselfish planning in Christ's meekness and lowliness, softened hearts full of sympathy, love and compassion without fractiousness when displeased, pleasant words, true courtesy and unselfish actions making character fragrant and freeing life from overbearing and oppression, possible only after the tree is made good from a heart under the Spirit's control through living faith clasping Christ's hand in every place and emergency and taking hold of His efficiency without disappointment, as evidence of true conversion and transformation and proof of changed heart, with no law bringing bearers into bondage, for those Christ's have put to death the flesh and, living in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit without vainglory, provoking or envying. This fruit comes through dependence on and connection with Christ acceptable to God, associated with purified heart, circumspect life, faultless character and using abilities rightly rather than seeing through worldly eyes.
It is the outward manifestation of internal sanctification and Christlike attributes adorning Christ's doctrine by grace and meekness in manners, words and spirit, requiring being clothed with humility with no anger, harshness, coarseness or thorns to prick and bruise others, especially toward the spiritually blind and opposed, remembering former blindness, being wise as serpents and harmless as doves so as not to increase opposition and to remove prejudice without conceding truth, with no law to condemn such. The fruit appears when hearts are brought into captivity to Christ as boughs grafted into the True Vine, with natural and cultivated traits greatly improved, selfishness cut away and pure uncorrupted sympathy, the sure fruit of all righteousness, constantly growing, so those crucifying the flesh express in character Christ's similitude. A professing Christian must bear it as Christlike character in word and deed, in patience, kindness and courtesy including pleasantness and tender sympathetic words in the home and willingness to concede ideas rather than insist on his own way, for without it he is not a tree of righteousness but like the tree bearing no good fruit, and every tree is known by its fruit by which believers and unbelievers can judge him.
The Spirit's influence is Christ's life in the soul, and those knowing His indwelling reveal love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith, made holy and Christlike as His purifying work reaches mind and heart and enters daily life and practice in genuine fervent love for one another, for the heavenly Comforter given in Christ's place to act in His stead is present at all times and places to support, sustain, uphold and cheer in and through everyone receiving Christ, near wherever they are. Giving money cannot buy salvation, but giving self makes life a fruitful branch in a beautiful vine adorned with clusters of rich graces of love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness and meekness appearing under the Saviour's claims and influences and making life attractive. The Spirit produces godly character working in the heart, and by yielding the will to God committed to what is right one overcomes wrong tendencies and becomes an instrument revealing God's goodness and love with joy and peace, so the fruits appear.
Love, joy and peace cultivated in manners and disposition, not like a prickly burr but cultivating everything lovely and attractive, means cherishing what is amiable in temper with what is firm in principle, being just, true and honest yet kind, forbearing, pitiful and courteous, representing Christ's meekness and gentleness while firm as rock to principle, making life and character fragrant, refreshing and a blessing, gaining access to hearts, giving finish and perfection to character and making truth attractive. The graces must be received in the heart through the Holy Spirit and cultivated every day under converting grace by cherishing susceptibility to divine impressions in studying the Word, so truth impresses heart and life practice, sanctifies daily conduct and fits character for winning souls, qualifying to receive power of truth through faith, enjoy the Word and feast on its treasures as craved food, receive Christ's righteousness and Son as personal Saviour, have tendencies transformed with elevated speech and taste, walk in light and become complete in Jesus as elect sons and daughters doing His will and commandments. The fruit is displayed in meekness, kindness, mercy and love in patiently bearing trials, gratefully receiving blessings and firmly resisting temptation, shining before the world in contrast to selfishness and uncontrolled passions of the natural heart, which God's grace can produce.
Joy is included among the fruit and is cultivated by cheerfulness and showing Christ's joy in life, speaking words full of hope, courage, joy and gladness. The Holy Spirit tempers evil dispositions and makes children mild and gentle, and parents must first correct young children in love and subdue evil temper, then carry them to God in prayer pleading for Him to do what they cannot by His Spirit, which God loves to answer when parents have done their duty. The graces are cultivated in a mother's own words and deportment while with tender interest she teaches little ones self-denial and works the soil of their hearts to subdue natural sinful inclinations, educating herself to be a pattern in calmness, unhurried freedom from excitement and nervous haste. The Spirit co-operates with parents shaping children's character and taking lives under His control, so when parents teach principles governing Christ's life and work for unity, dissension is driven out and unity and love abide in the home, parents and children sharing the gift.
The fruit is seen in a Christian life ruled by God rather than worldly influence or selfish ambition, where love for God and neighbor produces kindly sanctified affection, envy, resentment, strife and hatred are expelled, perfect love fills the heart and no room is left for evil thoughts toward anyone. Love remains an abiding principle shown in patience, forbearance, longsuffering, gentleness, cheerful words and tender affection to represent Jesus and bless others. The fruit is seen in a kind genial gentle tender disposition seeking to heal wounded souls and help renew, strengthen and shape others after the perfect model. The fruit is revealed as soon as the Word is received with refining purifying influence, going with the grace of obedience for all who hear.
These graces should be evident, for self-control practiced without special grace rebukes those with access to God's strength and grace who do not show them, with Christ the model of meekness and lowliness to imitate and overcome as He overcame. The fruit is seen in conduct not merely talented speech or prayer in meetings, for rough careless behavior outside meetings and reckless trifling joking spirit are not grace, while a life bearing fruit to God's glory is chaste, modest, elevated, blameless and adorns profession. The fruit including patience, meekness, longsuffering and faith is seen in private life through daily self-control, purity of thought and purpose, devotion and faithfulness in little things, so one displaying them at home representing Jesus may be more precious to God than missionary or martyr, public sacrifice not necessarily more acceptable than quiet faithfulness.
The fruit is inward Christian character adorning a converted heart when the carnal mind is subdued, replacing pride and emphasis on outward appearance, valuing the meek quiet spirit above dress, seen in kind word and thoughtful consideration which God values, calling for doing without unnecessary trimmings and laying aside means saved for God's cause, with principal attention to studying the Word with praise from the heart and no guile in the mouth as trees of righteousness revealing the kingdom's eternal verity. Charity, love, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, gentleness and goodness are to be brought as highest noblest specimens into character building, requiring keeping all natural hereditary traits under strict control, being born again to live Christ's life, refusing self supremacy, battling Satan so no thread of selfishness or covetousness enters the web, using entrusted capabilities and treasures of wisdom with proportionate accountability in purity and sacred holiness in sacred awe as workers together with God, and giving each fellow worker equal chance for advantages and encouragement that all talents may strengthen and develop.
The fruits are weightiest evidence of genuine truth, for the most convincing testimony is the spirit attending advocacy of truth, and when received it sanctifies the heart making the receiver gentle, kind, forbearing, true and Christlike, while unchristlike spirit and fruit refute doctrine and prove false application, so no interpretation needing such spirit and bearing such fruit can harmonize with truth, known by good works rather than boasting or deception with quiet powerful influence for good. The fruit is seen in practical patience, meekness, forbearance, longsuffering, cheerfulness and joyfulness in truth rather than love of controversy. The fruit is seen in disciples whose Christlike character evidences purifying grace and bears living convincing witness to God's Word through lives loving and living the gospel.
Bearing the fruits proves membership in the royal family and childhood to the heavenly King, with God's kingdom enthroned in the heart by Christ's abiding presence and words and actions in harmony with profession, demonstrating sincerity in keeping the baptismal vow and death to sin with life hid with Christ in God, while not bearing them reveals selfish controlling self, perverted will and unbelief bearing witness against truth though claiming God's service, requiring earnest prayer for the Spirit within and power through Christ's intercession. The fruit is seen in Christlike qualities cultivated at home helping parents guide children to live as trees of righteousness, with graces formed at home carried into school and church where God is glorified. The fruit is actions in harmony with God's law, seen in families making painstaking efforts to manifest kindness, patience and love, as Almighty power prepares minds and hearts to submit to the Spirit's molding, leading parents to sanctify themselves that children also may be sanctified.
The fruit is seen outwardly in a life shaped by Christ's mind and Spirit as confession of Christ, where words of eternal life taking root bear righteousness and peace, requiring constant watchfulness and persevering nearly unceasing prayer to show His life and truth's sanctifying influence, as evidence Christ abides by faith, while opposed conduct denies Him. The fruit is the outward result of inward transformation where God's love abiding makes character grow naturally rather than put on for show, appearing in everyday life especially at home through patience, self-denial, thoughtfulness and words and actions shaped by faith. Love as the precious plant must be cherished and flow freely to break down barriers, lived day by day under the Spirit's melting power in gentle thoughtful care for the sick where every wish is supplied and no service is hardship or done with censure, not slumbering to awaken only in sickness then falling back into cold indifferent loveless ways when health returns, an order to be changed.
The fruits are qualities that can be possessed and revealed in a people and recognized by others in conduct. Love, forbearance, longsuffering and gentleness in humble circumspect walk manifest God to the world, for doing the Word produces character making believers lights showing reverence and respect for God under His administration, exemplifying living faith by trust in His power instead of exalting human wisdom and depending on finite changeable erring men. Bearing the fruit belongs to consecration, expressing God's love in earnest whole-souled religion shown in speech comforting, blessing and building up. Peace and love are shown in depending on God's keeping power and trusting His promises, where spiritual-mindedness is life and peace and faith brings joy, peace and hope through the Holy Spirit.
Faith working through love and purifying the soul produces humility, patience, forbearance, longsuffering, peace, joy and willing obedience. The graces must be manifested, for true religion takes hold of the heart, purifies life, controls conduct and helps overcome self and evil temper, not merely profession. The graces are produced by God's Word as flowers unfold through life-giving power, developing as naturally and beautifully as a lily grows and blooms when yielded to grace. The fruit of abiding includes love, kindness, compassion and humility distinguishing obedient from disobedient, with abilities used in religious life depending on Christ rather than human praise. The Spirit working in ministers and helpers produces tenderness and Christ's love in their hearts.
Love as fruit is the life of Jesus in the soul, an active principle imparted by the Holy Spirit alone making fruitful unto good works, the force and power of every true message spoken by human lips, belonging to true Bible religion of forgiveness solely through merits of a crucified risen Saviour and righteousness by faith of the Son of God. True reform bears the fruit, with love for God making one a friend to those for whom Christ died. The graces of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance grow like fruit on an evergreen planted by water, keeping the believer spiritually fresh and reflecting Christ's character. They make the heart joyful in God and ready to share truth, as practical fruits of a Christ-shaped life.
The fruit describes qualities borne when life is shaped by the indwelling Saviour with passions controlled and Christ's righteousness worn, including love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. The fruit shows character produced in those truly connected with God by His Spirit working in hearts as harmony, peace, love, unity, Christ's meekness, benevolence, kindness and mercy from infinite wisdom, keeping believers from variance and creating harmony, love and unity, proving harmony with Christ, while strife, envy, jealousy and continual contradiction are opposite unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Christ and belonging to Satan's children, so every person is tested by what fruit is borne and must answer what fruit he bears. The Spirit's presence is seen in meekness, patience, gentleness and longsuffering marking a true disciple imitating Christ and doing God's will, while a heart still defiled shows selfishness, envy, malice and faultfinding, remedied by turning inward, removing these traits and ceasing to judge others.
The fruit consists of sweet graces of Christ's character including love, visible when there is living connection with His great heart of love and His life's tide flows through in return for His gifts, for receiving gifts, belonging outwardly, hearing the gospel, taking His name and church membership without that connection leaves absence of fruit like a barren tree taking nourishment but bearing none, bringing no blessing, darkening ground, robbing others of privilege and facing doom to be cut down, while presence shows fruitfulness blessing the world. The fruit is borne when followers are joined to Christ as living branches to the vine through personal continual communion, not from one believer sustaining another. The graces are to appear in daily conduct as kindness, meekness, forbearance, cheerfulness and love, representing Christ and showing love for Him as steady motive not temporary outward show.
Christ's character reproduced in human nature replacing selfishness grows through living connection and may appear in differing measures as thirtyfold, sixtyfold or a hundredfold. The fruit is revealed through deeper conversion seeking God with all the heart in repentance, humiliation, penitence and confession, with dormant powers aroused under the Holy Spirit giving light, life and power to do right because it is right, through coming to Calvary's cross as source of all power and taking up and bearing after Christ the cross given to gain spiritual life, strength and excellency, cherishing and following the law's two great principles in deep earnest sympathy and love to God and man with elevated moral taste and controlled sanctified passions, setting forth Christ as altogether lovely and supreme.