Got Fruit?

I recently had a conversation with a friend about the fruit of the Spirit. We discussed the misconception that as we mature in Christ we acquire the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control along the way.

Furthermore, the number of ‘fruits’ we manifest reveal our spiritual maturity in Christ, the goal being: we will eventually acquire all the fruits of the Spirit. Not so, according to Paul the Apostle.

While reading Galatians 5:22-23 I discovered that Paul said, "The fruit of the Spirit is..." not fruits. He’s not talking about an apple tree, a pear tree, a banana tree...different kinds of fruit bearing plants which bring forth fruit after their own kind. He’s talking about one fruit tree, i.e., the Holy Spirit, bearing one kind of fruit with many characteristics. As an apple is individual in its color and appearance, crunchy and sweet in its taste, possesses a stem and seeds (All of which are characteristics of the same fruit), such is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is one Spirit with many characteristics - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - bearing 'fruit' in the life of one who is filled with It.

And like the apple is an apple - proven by its many individual characteristics – such is the Holy Spirit. An apple tastes, looks, and feels like an apple...not a banana. One who has the Spirit will manifest the fruit (Characteristics) thereof!

If we truly have the Holy Spirit living in us...comforting us and illuminating Truth to us...we will exhibit love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our repertoire of virtues on a regular basis. We do not acquire each 'fruit' as we mature in knowledge of Jesus Christ or do good works. As a recipient of the Savior's divine grace (Through the atonement on the cross) the Holy Spirit will dwell in us and manifest Its presence through...fruit.

Such is what Paul is saying in Galatians:

"So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."

Again, I ask...

Got fruit?