Growing up, my parents had a farm and we used to harvest all sorts of food items from the farm. As years went by, we started a backyard garden instead of traveling long distances to go to the farm. Yet, there was no single occasion of planting one thing and bearing another crop. In fact even in the age of technological innovation, grafting plants does not result in an entirely new plant but the growth is exactly like the plant it came from. When we come to Christ, we are grafted with Him and we grow together. Therefore we bear fruit that resembles our union with Christ. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.(Galatians 5:22-23) This fruit is known as the fruit of the Spirit. Remember the use of the singular term “FRUIT”. We produce just one kind of fruit and this fruit is expressed as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If you are producing any attitude other than the fruit of the Spirit, know that you may be heading towards the acts of the flesh. As believers, we need to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit each day. First, it ensures our own growth and it also fosters good interpersonal relationships. We have been called to love, to be people of peace, to show patience, to be kind, to demonstrate goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The world will be a better place if Christians bear the fruit of the Spirit. Paul admonishes us that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:24-25). The acts of the flesh are obvious and those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God (read Galatians 5:19, 21). If you identify any of the acts of the flesh in your life, you have to know that you are gratifying the desires of the flesh but not that of the Spirit. Developing a personal relationship with God, regular Bible studies and meditation, fasting and prayer can help one to overcome the acts of the flesh. Further, seek help from someone who is grounded in the word of God if you are struggling to bear the fruit of the Spirit. You can talk with your Pastor, Bishop, Elder, Overseer, Deacon (or whatever leadership titles you use in your church). Remember, that the life that pleases God is a Christlike life and bearing the fruit of the Spirit is a requirement.
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