Growing The Fruit of the Spirit: Understanding God’s Work in Us

Pastor Dick Warner
Sep 4
2 min read

Updated: Oct 8

An image of a Bible and pear? — *An image of a Bible and pear*?

Hey, friend,

Let’s take a minute to chat about something close to my heart—and probably yours too—the Fruit of the Spirit. You know that list Paul gave in Galatians 5:22-23?

It’s not just a checklist of good qualities. Nope. It’s a picture of how God grows His own character in us, piece by piece. Let’s dig in.

What’s This Fruit Anyway?

Paul says, and I’m quoting here:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Notice he says “fruit” singular. That shows it’s one big, beautiful thing made up of many qualities—all working together, not separate little fruits in a fruit salad.

This fruit is the Spirit’s fingerprint on our lives, showing we’re plugged into Jesus.

What Each Fruit Means—Plain and Simple

Love: Caring for God and others in a way that’s selfless—not because you have to, but because it bubbles up naturally.
Joy: Not just a grin or good mood but a deep gladness rooted in knowing God’s got your back.
Peace: Quiet confidence, that calm under pressure that says, “God’s in control.”
Patience: Waiting well—when the world tests you, you don’t snap.
Kindness and Goodness: Doing the right thing for others, even when it’s hard or no one’s watching.
Faithfulness: Being that reliable, stick-with-you kind of person—in your faith and relationships.
Gentleness: Soft strength, treating others with care and respect.
Self-control: Mastering your impulses—not perfect, but aiming in the right direction.

How Do We Grow This Fruit?

Imagine you’re a branch on a grapevine (I know, you’re probably thinking, “Pastor Dick, why do you always pick grapes?”). Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:4). Stay close to Him—pray, listen, obey—and this fruit will naturally grow. It’s not about pushing yourself harder or trying to be “good” in your own ability. It’s about trusting the Spirit who lives in you to do His work.

Real-Life Encouragement

Don’t get discouraged if some fruits seem harder to grow than others. Maybe patience feels like a stubborn weed in your garden, or self-control is a late bloomer.

That’s okay—fruit trees take time to mature. Remember, God’s cultivating you. When you feel weak, that’s often where He’s doing the deepest work.

A Question for You

How are you doing in bearing this fruit? Think about one trait on the list. Where could you use a little more Spirit-tending?

What’s one small thing today that says, “I’m staying close to the Vine”?

A Little Prayer for the Journey

Lord, thanks for the gift of Your Spirit working inside me. Help me to keep close to You—praying, trusting, obeying—so Your fruit grows strong in my life. When I stumble, remind me it’s Your work, not my perfection, that counts. Shape me little by little into the person You want me to be. Amen.

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