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, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)

The Message Bible gives us a better understanding of how we can apply the Fruit of the Spirit to our daily lives. When believers exhibit these qualities in their behavior, it will greatly impact others. Beware though that the Fruit must come from the right source. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

The Fruit of the Spirit are not mere suggestions for the way a Christian could live. A Christian cannot pick and choice which he wants to use or what suits his need at a particular time. The Fruit are characteristics that are apparent in those who are truly walking with the Holy Spirit. Collectively, they are the fruits that are produced by those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The fruit of the Spirit are the qualities of character God grows inside of you. It's more than mere spiritual or personal growth; it's God at work within his followers. These characteristics do not suddenly appear when you accept Jesus, they need to be cultivated and nutured as you mature as a Christian.

In order to grow in our walk with the Lord, we should study and understand each of these Fruits:

Love - Love is the most important of the Fruits. In Mark, Chapter 12, Jesus was asked which of the commandments was the most important. "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31. 1 John 4:16 tells us, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." And we get the definition and attributes of Love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Joy - Joy is more than happiness, which is temporal and conditional. Happiness is an emotion dependent on personal feelings. Joy is the unconditional state of mind that accompanies fellowship with God. It is characterized by great well being. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Hebrews 12:2, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Peace - Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In John 14:27, Jesus tells us, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:3, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Patience - Hebrews 10:36 tells us we need, "to persevere [have patience] so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." We are "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father" according to Colossians 1:11. Ephesians 4:2 instructs us to "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Kindness - According to 2 Corinthians 6:6, we should live "in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left". "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12.

Goodness - "And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith" 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (HCSB). "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10

Faithfulness - "O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." 2 Thessalonians 1:11. "The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness." 1 Samuel 26:23. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:16-17.

Gentleness - "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12. "Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also." Galatians 6:1 (HCSB). "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2.

Self-Control - "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:13. "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." 2 Peter 1:5-7.

Where there are 'the fruit of the Spirit', the Spirit is at work. We can trust in it. Each person in the Spirit has the fruit differently, and each fruit has a different shape in each person -- but all the fruit will show themselves in each Christian as he or she goes deeper into their walk with the Spirit.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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All Scripture references from the New International Version, unless otherwise stated.