“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
(I’ve been using the NASB in the articles on the fruit of the Spirit. Here are the links to the first and second posts.)
I thought I’d finished this series last week but the topic I wanted to explore today fits too well to neglect. First, we identified the fruit of the Spirit as the personality of Jesus expressed in His followers by His Spirit. Then, we pondered how the fruit could be both one and many.
To conclude the series, I wanted to emphasize something about the fruit that’s easy to overlook. When we read Paul’s list, it’s natural to personalize the virtues. We judge ourselves in their light. Am I a loving person? How much joy do I have in my life? Am I a gentle soul? We have nine questions to work through!
But while personal, the fruit of the Spirit isn’t private. It’s social. Verses 22-23 don’t assert this outright, but we can tease out this truth if we treat the virtues one at a time.
Consider love, the first on the list. Asked His opinion about what constituted the greatest commandment, Jesus prioritized love.
“‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ 37And He said to him, ‘“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” 38This is the great and foremost commandment. 39The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”’” – Matthew 22:36-39
The Lord doesn’t teach self-love; He assumes it. In His mind, people had little trouble loving themselves. Where they stumbled was over loving God and others!
The same goes with the fifth virtue, kindness. Psychologists encourage us to be kind to ourselves. We criticize ourselves way more than we should; in many respects, we’re our own worst enemies. Caring for ourselves isn’t wrong; it’s crucial to our well-being. Psychologist Christopher Germer tries to dispel the myth “that self-compassion will make a person selfish, weak, or lazy, but the science shows precisely the opposite. Learning self-compassion makes us more compassionate toward others, it is an inner resource that helps us bounce back from adversity, and it motivates us to achieve our goals.”
Kindness toward ourselves empowers us to show compassion toward others. Our acceptance in Christ liberates us to practice all the virtues toward others.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” – Colossians 3:12-13
God’s kindness toward us fills us with kindness that we can share with those around us.
Love and kindness show Paul’s intention that the fruit of the Spirit is social.
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” – Galatians 5:13-15
Jesus frees us to become the images of God He created us to be. Godliness manifests itself through the loving way we treat others. Selfishness is the polar opposite; it testifies to a soul that can’t see beyond itself.
Look at the social dimension of the deeds of the flesh.
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21
Like the fruit of the Spirit, the deeds of the flesh are personal but not private. They damage the connections Christians have with one another.
Paul ends the chapter with this admonition:
“Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” – Galatians 5:26
He warns against yet another way the flesh ruins relationships. Rather than demeaning and provoking each other, God wants us to speak words of love, joy, peace, and so on. It’s in this context that we best grasp the social quality of the fruit of the Spirit.
The United States inaugurated a new presidential administration two days ago. The vitriol and animosity promoted on social media is poisonous to the health of the nation. Many people want peace to prevail in this country, but it won’t. I don’t say this as a pessimist, but look at the social implications of the deeds of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Either great good or tremendous harm awaits America. But filled with the Holy Spirit, Christians can display the character of Jesus to a weary society.
Our land needs love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But the country won’t find these blessings apart from Jesus Christ. Take up the challenge and present His character in everything you say and do.
Including on social media!
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