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)
“We love each other because He loved us first.”
Bonnie Morgan says
Kari, This is a beautiful and inspiring post. I have always admired your spirit and you have a gift with words pointing us to our Savior and the Word of God.
Kari says
Thank you Bonnie…for your kind words. We share the same God and He is awesome. Luv ya my friend.
Nancy says
The Prayer for Patience is a funny story.
Beautiful post!
Thank you for sharing God’s Love!
Kari says
thanks Nancy…and love is the answer in this world today. We need to love more.,….so love to you and all your wonderful family.
Rita C. says
A very good read, Kari. Thank you for sharing. And what a funny story of your prayer for patience!
Kari says
thanks Rita…one definitely learns patience when their are two little guys demanding attention. Thanks for stopping by.
Sandy Marshall says
Dear Kari,
Thank you so much for the nine fruits. I need all of them at different times, but patience I need the most. I seem to always be in a hurry. However, as I get older, I’m being forced to slow down and that makes me even more impatient.
Love,
Sandy
Kari says
thanks Sandy for stopping by and your kind comments. I think as I have gotten older, Like you, I am slowing down involuntarily. In my mind I can still do the things I did when younger but in reality, I just can’t do them anymore….but I can still use kindness, gentleness, and self control which gives me peace and joy. Hugs dear friend.
Maryann says
It could be that a slow vehicle or person when we are waiting in line is God’s way of protecting us!
Kari says
absolutely Maryann….OR it could be someone who has received bad news or a loss and they are not as careful as they should be. Right after I lost my husband in 2000, I was crying and driving and went the wrong way down a one way street. Nothing happened but I learned to give everyone the benefit of a doubt. We don’t know what burden they carry. thanks for stopping by
Pam says
Good morning, Kari. Thank you for sharing these wonderful truths from God’s Word. We make a choice every morning how we will dress for the day. As believers we make a choice whether we will clothe ourselves in the Fruit of the Spirit! It is our choice! What a different world it would be if we that are followers of Christ would be obedient.
I appreciate you pointing your readers to Scripture and to Jesus! Wishing you a blessed Sunday!
Kari says
thanks Pam…not only do we grow, we feel better if we have love, patience, joy, peace and gentleness. Hugs my dear friend in Christ.