The 9 Fruits We Need In Our Lives Today

The 9 Fruits We Need In Our Lives Today.

Dear ones, our Sunday Scripture for today is about 9 fruits . 

They are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

I am not going to get political, but I am sure you are aware of all the unrest in our country these days.

It seems everyone is angry.

And the sad thing is we don’t have to live that way, if each of us practices these 9 precious gifts of the “fruits” that our God has given to us.

These “gifts” or attributes or traits or whatever one wants to call them…can change the way we look at life and the happenings around us.

It is interesting and meaningful that the first fruit listed in Galatians 5 is Love!

And in John 13:34 Jesus says “I give you a new commandment;  love one another just as I loved you, you must also love one another.”

I believe this “love” is referring to agape love where we love but don’t expect anything in return, which leads us to the other of the 9 fruits.

Imagine how great it would be if we also add in the other “fruits” to our daily living, and if one feels they need help with a fruit or two, we can always pray for that gift.

I have heard people say be careful what you pray for…like more patience because you may get more than you bargained for.

I actually did pray for patience many years ago and I became pregnant with twins. LOL

I certainly learned a lot about being patient.

I love the way the following verse reads when using Eugene Peterson’s version of “The Message.”

Galatians 5:22-23

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others,(LOVE) exuberance about life, (JOY) serenity. (PEACE)

We develop a willingness to stick with things, (PATIENCE) a sense of compassion in the heart, (KINDNESS)  and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. (GOODNESS)

We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, (FAITHFULNESS) not needing to force our way in life, (GENTLENESS) able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (SELF-CONTROL).  Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.

So if you are one to know you have no patience, why would we not want to pray for it?

We should desire to grow in all nine of the Fruits of the Spirit.

Colossians 3: 12-13

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

The Bible uses the words “to put on” the fruits of the Spirit.

When I think of those two words ‘put on’, my mind automatically goes to putting on my shoes to protect my feet and protect me from the elements.

As we “put on” protection for our feet, we need to put on the 9 fruits, simply put that means practicing…practicing patience for example! 

You see, we are protecting ourselves from whatever may come our way and the calmness that enfolds protects our health too.

As we drive our cars, perhaps someone is cutting in and out, or worse yet there is major traffic jam, we should relax and “put on” patience.

And what happens when we are in a line either at the grocery store or the post office or any place we feel the clerk is too slow?

We should “put on” patience. 

The same goes for the other fruits.

We should “put on” kindness, by smiling and be genuinely interested in those we come in contact with.

We should “put on” gentleness with our loved ones and if we feel slighted by someone, we should “put on” forgiveness.

The enemy wants us to get irritated, upset and angry and demand our way. …but dear friends, we have a choice.

We can choose to be frustrated and act out and be miserable or we can practice the fruits of the spirit.

I’m sure you have heard that one person can make a difference.

And it’s true that if we practice these 9 fruits we can grow in our walk with God

Perhaps you already practice these 9 fruits of the Spirit…Wonderful!  Praise God for those abilities.

However if we are lacking, we know which fruit we need to pray for.

We might be tested but if we are, the more we will grow. 

Have a great and Blessed Sunday!

Luv ya!

 

 

1 John 4:19 — New Living Translation (NLT)