Q: What does “the fruit of the Spirit” mean and how can I tell if I have this?

A: The fruit of the Holy Spirit is a type of love which enables us to love people we would rather hate. It is nothing that you can manufacture with your own energy. In Greek it’s called “agape” and possesses the unique aspect of being unconditional. Love like this was expressed by Jesus as He hung on the cross and said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).

“Phileo” is an emotional love expressed mainly because someone loves us in return.

The fruit of the Spirit is singular, as the scriptures declare “the fruit is,” not the fruits are. The qualities that stem from this fruit are joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control (see Gal 5:22‑25). These features define God’s kind of love that He instills in people who make Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives.

Jesus is the vine and believers are likened to the branches. The more we hang with Him, the more He produces in us (see John 15:1‑5). As we are conscious of God’s presence in our lives, we keep in step with His direction and desires, rather than our own. More love is expressed in our lives, and qualities such as self‑control, peace, and patience become apparent to those around us.

We bear much fruit by drawing close to God through the Bible and prayer. I liken prayer to taking private lessons with the Lord of my life. If a person took a private lesson with Jerry or John Llacuna at the local ATA Black Belt Academy, he or she would learn much more than from just the classroom setting. The same happens when we pray and practice God’s presence in addition to Bible teaching at church gatherings.

The natural tendency is to pursue our own satisfaction, but spiritual fruit is meant for everybody around us. People don’t buy branches to eat at the store–they buy fruit. We’re the branches, but the growing fruit is for everyone to enjoy. Jacob blessed his son Joseph saying, “Joseph is a fruitful bough; his branches run over a wall” (Gen 49:22). Who lives over the wall outside your yard or garden? Your neighbors and the rest of the world.

People can gripe, complain, fuss, moan, groan and debate about Jesus Christ and His church, but they cannot deny the love of God displayed in their lives. So literally hang in there. It’s all you can do, but He’s all that you need to bear fruit.

Ephesians 5:8‑11