The fruit of the Spirit often doesn’t get enough love.
We remember songs from kids’ ministry, or maybe Veggietales (side note: Bob and Larry are technically fruit?).
But it’s so much more than nostalgia.
It begs the question: “What’s the point of all this spiritual growth stuff anyway?”
🎯 The Goal
The goal is simple.
It’s about becoming who you were always meant to be.
Spiritual Virtues
When we talk about the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — we’re not checking off a spiritual to-do list.
We’re talking about the essence of Jesus.
The qualities true about him becoming true about us.
Is Jesus kind? Yes.
Jesus wants you to become kind.
Is Jesus patient? Yes.
Jesus wants you to become patient.
His way of life becoming our way of life.
His identity becoming our identity.
Devotional Application
The fruit of the Spirit is not just a collection of virtues we aspire to, but the tangible evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives.
This is the character of Jesus, living and growing within us, transforming our hearts and minds.
Take some time today to reflect on each of these traits.
Love: How can you extend love to someone in your life today, even if it feels inconvenient or goes unnoticed?
Joy: In what ways can you choose joy regardless of your current circumstances?
Peace: Where can you seek peace amid the noise and chaos of daily life?
Patience: Is there an area where God is calling you to wait with grace?
Kindness: How can you go out of your way to show kindness to a stranger or a friend?
Goodness: In what spaces can you actively pursue what is good, even when no one is watching?
Faithfulness: Where is God inviting you to practice faithfulness, perhaps in a place of discouragement?
Gentleness: Is there someone in your life that needs a gentle, compassionate response today?
Self-Control: In what areas do you need to lean on the Spirit to cultivate self-control and discipline?
Take a moment to pray.
Ask the Holy Spirit to shape these traits within you, not as mere behaviors, but as expressions of who Jesus is in your life.
May his way of life become our way of life.
May his identity become our identity.
Devotional: The Point Of The Fruit Of The Spirit was originally published in GoodLion Theology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
