But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26, NASB)
In his letter to the Galatian church, the Apostle Paul speaks of the “fruit of the Spirit.” At a Bible study years ago, someone pointed out that it’s not the “fruits” of the Spirit, but rather the singular, “fruit” of the Spirit. This means that the Jesus-follower is to display ALL the traits listed, not just some. I can’t practice patience and kindness and yet hold back love and joy. I have to practice the whole package.
The text above is part of a discussion on walking “in the Spirit.” I think to walk in the Spirit means that I not forget that I’m carrying the Holy Spirit with me everywhere I go. My body is the Tabernacle of a member of the Holy Trinity, and I should act accordingly so as not to defile this Temple. But Paul says if we walk in the Spirit, then we “will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” He explains that the flesh is at war with the Spirit. Paul lists the “deeds of the flesh”: “immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.” He warns us that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“Fruit of the Spirit.” Found at Do Not Depart, https://donotdepart.com/tag/fruit-of-the-spirit
On the other hand, Paul contrasts the deeds of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and ] self-control.” He further explains that people who’ve decided to follow Jesus have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” In other words, they have put all the deeds of the flesh in the past. There is no turning back. When we say we walk in the Spirit, we must walk the talk. One final warning from Paul: “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” More deeds of the flesh!
Walking in the Spirit, practicing and displaying the fruit of the Spirit, is one way people will know we have Jesus. We have to put the deeds of the flesh in the past. By these, followers of Jesus will demonstrate to Whom we belong (Remember: It’s not who you are, but Whose you are!)!