Having the power of God without the fruit of the Spirit in the life of a believer will lead to disaster. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in helping believers bear and develop the fruit of the Spirit, which is essential for spiritual maturity and Christ-like living. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—reflects the nature (character) of Christ. The manifestation of this fruit is solid evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work within believers. Let’s explore how the Holy Spirit helps you and I develop this fruit.
1. The Process of Bearing Fruit Begins with Abiding in Christ
- John 15:4-5: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” NKJV
The key to bearing spiritual fruit is remaining in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps believers abide in Jesus, staying connected to Him through prayer, the Word of God, and obedience. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it remains attached to the vine, believers cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit apart from their intimate relationship with Christ, which is maintained by the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance.
2. Development of the fruit of the Spirit in you begins by transformation of the mind (heart) by the power of the Holy Spirit
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NKJV): “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
When God says, “I will give you a new heart,” it is a metaphor to represent your mind. The Holy Spirit works within believers to transform their hearts (minds), removing hardness and rebellion, and replacing it with a heart sensitive to God’s will. This inner transformation is necessary for bearing the fruit of the Spirit because it changes the believer’s mindset, belief system, desires and inclinations toward godliness. Through this heart transformation, the Holy Spirit enables believers to reflect Christ-like character.
3. The Fruit of the Spirit is the Outward Expression of the Inward Work of the Holy Spirit
- Galatians 5:16 (NKJV): “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
- Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Walking in the Spirit means yielding daily to the Holy Spirit’s leadership, allowing Him to guide your thoughts, words, and actions using your regenerated spirit to direct your soul. Your soul in turn directs and compels your body to obey the directive of the Holy-Spirit in your inner-man.
As believers choose to walk by the Spirit rather than by the desires of the flesh, the Holy Spirit gradually produces the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. This fruit is not produced by human effort or willpower but is the natural result of living in alignment with the Spirit’s leading.
4. The Holy Spirit Helps Believers Grow in Love
- Romans 5:5 (NKJV): “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
The first and foundational fruit is love, and love is the foundational fruit upon which the other 8 fruit are built on. The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into believers’ hearts. This divine love allows believers to love others selflessly, sacrificially, and unconditionally, just as Christ loves us. The Spirit helps us grow in this love by enabling us to love our enemies, serve others without expectation of reward, and live in harmony with one another.
5. The Holy Spirit Produces Joy and Peace, Even in Difficult Circumstances
- Romans 15:13 (NKJV): “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
- Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV): “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Joy and peace are fruit of the Spirit that will manifest even in difficult circumstances that challenges your life if you submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives believers supernatural joy and peace that transcend human understanding. This joy is not based on external conditions but on the believer’s relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit sustains believers with peace in the midst of trials and helps them maintain an attitude of thanksgiving and trust in God’s sovereignty. And because of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life, even when faced with the vicissitudes of life, you are still able to draw from God’s wells of salvation through the supernatural joy produced in you (Isaiah 12:3).
6. The Holy Spirit Enables Patience and Longsuffering
- Colossians 1:11 (NKJV): “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.”
Patience and longsuffering are crucial aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, especially in human relationships at all levels. In fact patience and long suffering is one of the vital keys for a successful thriving relationship, especially marriage! The Holy Spirit empowers believers to endure trials, wait on God’s timing, and show grace to others, even when they are wronged. Longsuffering is the ability to endure hardships or delays without complaining or giving in to frustration, and the Holy Spirit strengthens believers to respond with kindness and perseverance.
7. The Holy Spirit Cultivates Kindness, Goodness, and Faithfulness
- Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV): “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
- Matthew 5:16 (NKJV): “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV): “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
Goodness as a believer is something that can be seen and felt by your good works. Kindness and goodness are expressed in the way believers treat others, reflecting God’s kindness and goodness toward us. The Holy Spirit prompts believers to respond with compassion and mercy, extending forgiveness and generosity to those around them. Faithfulness is another fruit that the Holy Spirit produces, helping believers to remain steadfast in their commitments, loyal in relationships, and trustworthy in service to God and others.
8. The Holy Spirit Develops Gentleness and Self-Control
- Titus 3:2 (NKJV): “To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 (CEV): ” God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.”
Gentleness is often demonstrated in how believers handle conflict, authority, and correction. The Holy Spirit produces a spirit of meekness and humility in believers, helping them to respond gently even when provoked. Self-control, on the other hand, is the Spirit’s work in helping believers manage their impulses, desires, and emotions. The Spirit strengthens believers to resist temptation and to live disciplined lives that honour God.
9. Practical Development of the Fruit of the Spirit
- James 1:4 (NKJV): “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
- Philippians 2:12-13 (NKJV): “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Developing the fruit of the Spirit in your life is a gradual process. It will not happen over-night! Believers must actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit daily by yielding to His leading, obeying God’s Word. When you submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, trials and challenges in your life becomes tools by which He uses to shape your character to conform to the image of Christ from glory to glory. The Holy Spirit uses daily circumstances, relationships, and spiritual disciplines to cultivate Christ-like character in believers over time.
Summary:
The Holy Spirit helps believers bear and develop the fruit of the Spirit by transforming their hearts (minds), guiding their thoughts and actions, and enabling them to reflect the character of Christ in their everyday lives. This fruit is not produced by human effort but by the Holy Spirit as believers abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit. Through the fruit of the Spirit, believers not only grow in personal holiness but also bear witness to the world of God’s transforming power. By yielding to the Spirit’s work, believers can display love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in all aspects of their lives.
God bless you
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Prayer: Holy Spirit, please empower me to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in greater dimensions in all aspects of my life, in Jesus Name
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