Theme : You Can Bear Good Fruit
The apostle Paul writes that he prays for the Colossians to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10). As our souls are healed and we become stronger, we are better able to bear the fruit He wants us to produce.
Galatians 5:22–23 lists the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Previously, we looked at the first four, and today we will look at the remaining five of these and consider how God has put them in us and now wants us to bear their fruit.
- Kindness: The psalmist says that God’s lovingkindness is better than life (Psalm 63:3 NKJV), and it’s His kindness that leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4). The Bible teaches us to be kind to one another (Ephesians. 4:32) and to put on kindness (Colossians 3:12). Because Jesus lives in you, the ability to be kind is in you also.
- Goodness: The Lord is good! This is repeated often throughout the Bible (Exodus 33:19; 1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 106:1, 107:1, 119:68). The psalmist encourages us to taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Ps. 34:8). He also praises God by saying, Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you (Psalm 31:19). The apostle Paul urges us: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good (Romans 12:9). The best way I know to enjoy each day is to commit to being good to all people everywhere you go.
- Gentleness: The Scriptures compare Jesus to a lamb, which is a very gentle animal. In 2 Corinthians 10:1, Paul appeals to the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He also writes: So, as God’s own chosen people…put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12, AMP), and Let your gentleness be known to all… (Philippians 4:5 NKJV).
- Faithfulness: He who calls you is faithful. When God’s presence passed before Moses, God said this about Himself, The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). Scripture teaches us: Let not steadfast love and faith- fulness forsake you (Proverbs 3:3), and Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart (1 Samuel 12:24).
- Self-Control: Throughout God’s Word, God withholds anger. Proverbs 16:32 says that a patient person is better than a strong warrior, and that someone with self-control is better than one who takes a city (NIV). Some people say, “I just don’t have any self-control,” but if they have received Jesus into their heart, that statement is inaccurate. They do have self-control and simply need to keep exercising it and watch it get stronger and stronger.
As a believer in Christ, you can be confident that everything that is in Him is in you. Believing this truth is the beginning of a new way of living. We don’t have to struggle as we try in the flesh to produce these things, but we believe we have them and let each one flow as needed.
Prayer Starter: Lord God, I declare in the Name of Jesus, that my life bears the good fruit of kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, amen.
Credit: Joyce Meyer Ministry website joycemeyer.org