Fruit of the Spirit: How to Grow in Love

Knowing what the elements of the Fruit of the Spirit are is not enough. We need to nurture them and grow in them. We need to do our part by practicing spiritual disciplines that we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.

Jesus said, "You have heard that is was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)

Notice that Jesus connects loving our enemies and those who persecute us with prayer in verse 44. I would suggest that one spiritual practice that will help us love is prayer. If you lack true love as described in I Corinthians 13 or if you have hateful feelings for someone, pray. Pray for those whom you need to love more. Pray for those who you do not love at all.

Fruit of the Spirit: What is Love?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23)

The Bible has a detailed description of love. It is in First Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 to 8. This passages describes true love. This love is an element in the Fruit of the Spirit.

Love:

• is patient: not short-tempered, patient with people, shows self-restraint

• is kind: good, reacts with goodness to ill treatment

• does not envy: does not have strong jealousy for what others have, not displeased when others succeed

• does not boast: not a “wind-bag”

• is not proud: does not assert itself

• is not rude: what is according to proper form, not disgraceful, not dishonorable, not indecent

• is not self-seeking: does not seek its own way or insist on its own way, not selfish, not self-centered

• is not easily angered: not touchy, no selfish concern for one's rights,

• keeps no record of wrongs: does not keep accounts, notes or records to hold it against someone

• does not delight in evil: it is human nature to take pleasure in others misfortune, love does not

• rejoices with the truth: love is not immune to morality, it wants truth to prevail

• always protects: covers, endures, does not easily give way

• always trusts: sees the best in others, gives the benefit of the doubt

• always hopes: refuses to accept failure as final; believes in ultimate victory

• always perseveres: not overwhelmed, continues in spite of difficulty

• never fails: does not collapse or suffer ruin, love is permanent

Being Frutiful

The three requirements from my last post for being fruitful are found in other passages of Scripture as well. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to throw off everything that hinders us. This is pruning. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. This speaks of relationship. Hebrews 12:3 says that we should not grow weary and lose heart. The idea is that we should keep obeying the Lord and serving him.

Why did Paul and Jesus use fruit as an analogy?

Crops such as wheat are ready after a few months. A fruit tree may require years of care before it produces any fruit. Results come slowly. There is no quick way to grow spiritual fruit.

Also, fruit depends upon the quality of the tree, the natural elements of sun and rain, and the care of the farmer. Spiritual fruit depends upon the work of the Holy Spirit and our response to His work.

How To Be Fruitful

With this post, I will be starting a study on the Fruit of the Spirit. Before we start looking at what elements make up the Fruit of the Spirit, I want us first to consider the topic of being fruitful. It is not enough to know about the Fruit of the Spirit. We want to produce the Fruit of the Spirit. We want to produce an abundance of this Fruit.

I want us to consider what Jesus said about producing spiritual fruit. He gave us some requirements for being fruitful. Then I want to show you how these concepts are echoed in other parts of the New Testament. This will give us a foundation for the lessons to come. I want us to not only understand the Fruit of the Spirit, but also to produce this Fruit in our lives.

In John chapter 15, Jesus speaks about the vine and the branches. In this passage, he gives us three requirements for spiritual fruit. The first is pruning (John 15:1-3). By cutting off what is not required, a branch can become more fruitful.

The second requirement for spiritual fruit is relationship (John 15:4-8). The branch and the vine must be connected. Since Jesus is the vine, we must be connected with him. The closer we are to Jesus, the more spiritual fruit we will produce.

The third requirement is obedience (John 15:9-17). Jesus steps out of the metaphor and discusses love and obedience. However, in verse 16, he mentions that our purpose is to bear fruit. If we are not obeying God, we cannot produce good fruit.

I Thessalonians 5:27, 18

"I call upon you by the Lord, to read this letter to all the brothers." (I Thessalonians 5:27)

Paul wanted to be sure that the entire church heard this letter. The language used in this verse is strong which may again hint at divisions in the church. Paul may have been concerned that one group would not share this letter with the other.

"The favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." (I Thessalonians 5:28)

Paul ends this letter with a prayer that Jesus would bestow his favor upon this group of Christians.

I Thessalonians 5:24-26

"The One who called you is faithful. He will do this." (I Thessalonians 5:24)

Our eventual consecration and purity does not depend upon our goodness. Without God, we have none. It depends upon the faithfulness of God who promised to cleanse us of our iniquities.

"Brothers, pray for us." (I Thessalonians 5:25)

Paul desired the prayers of others on his behalf. He believed in the power of prayer.

"Welcome all the brothers with a pure kiss." (I Thessalonians 5:26)

This was a common way to greet one another. It still is in some parts of the world.

I Thessalonians 5:21-23

"But test everything, hold tight to what is beautiful." (I Thessalonians 5:21)

We should put all teaching to the test of the Word of God. If it does not agree with the Word, we should reject it. Anything that has spiritual beauty, we should hug tightly. Do not let truly good things get away.

"Abstain from every form of evil." (I Thessalonians 5:22)

We are to keep ourselves pure. Our goal should be to keep from all evil.

"May the God of Peace Himself consecrate you in all respects and keep you faultless in spirit, soul and body, and blameless in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:23)

Paul was concerned that these believers would stand before the Lord and not be ashamed. May we stand before the Lord faultless and blameless. May we hear, "Well done!"

I Thessalonians 5:18-20

"In everything give thanks, for this is what God wishes in Christ Jesus for you all." (I Thessalonians 5:18)

God wants us to be thankful regardless of circumstances. For no matter what this life holds, in Christ we have great spiritual and eternal blessings. We can be thankful as well knowing that God can use tragic events to bring about good.

"Do not extinguish the Spirit." (I Thessalonians 5:19)

There are three ways to put out a fire. We can pour water on it. (We can pour fear and doubt upon the Spirit's leading.) We can cover a fire with an incombustible substance. (We can fill our lives with things that are nonspiritual.) You can stop a fire by not supplying any more fuel. (We can stop praying, reading the Word and doing other spiritual disciplines.)

"Do not despise preaching." (I Thessalonians 5:20)

The word for despise can mean to treat with contempt, mock, utterly despise or make of no account. We should never discount the power of the preaching of the Word. It is powerful.

I Thessalonians 5:15-17

"You watch that no one gives back bad on account of bad, but always pursue good for one another and all men." (I Thessalonians 5:15)

We are not to pay people back when they treat us badly. Rather we are always to seek what is good: for other Christians and for all people. We are to return good for evil.

"Always rejoice." (I Thessalonians 5:16)

No matter what our circumstances, we should be able to rejoice because of our relationship with the Lord.

"Pray without intermission." (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Albert Barnes wrote, "There has been evil done to the soul if it is not prepared for communion with God at all times, and if it would not find pleasure in approaching his holy throne." We should be ready and be quick to prayer all the time.

I Thessalonians 5:13, 14

"And esteem them beyond all measure with sacrificial love because of their work. Be a peace among yourselves." (I Thessalonians 5:13)

Because of their work in the ministry, church leaders should be given an overabundance of sacrificial love. Many Christian leaders receive an overabundance of something quite different! Paul's command regarding peace in this context hints at some minor conflict.

"And I admonish you all, brothers, warn the disorderly, gently influence the fainthearted, hold up the weak, be patient with everyone." (I Thessalonians 5:14)

Paul makes it clear that we are to be wise with how we minister to people. There may have been a problem in this respect among the leaders in this church. We should not deal with everyone the same. A person who is deliberately being a problem needs a firm warning. A person with a timid spirit needs gentle encouragement. A person who is weak in the faith needs to be supported. And we are to be patient with every person.