The Fruit of the Spirit
in the Bible, what is the fruit of the spirit, how and when do you get it
RM
According to the Bible, the fruit of the Spirit refers to qualities or virtues that the Holy Spirit produces in someone who has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Here are some key points about the fruit of the Spirit:
It is described in Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
These qualities are the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life once they have accepted Christ. As they submit to the Spirit's control and guidance, the Spirit works to produce his fruit in them.
The fruits are contrasted with the "acts of the flesh" described earlier in Galatians 5 - things like sexual immorality, hatred, discord, etc. So the fruits of the Spirit are meant to replace sinful behaviors and attitudes.
The fruits of the Spirit are seen as evidence that someone is truly saved and walking with Christ. Displaying these virtues shows the transformation occurring in a person as a result of the Spirit's work.
So in summary, the nine fruit of the Spirit are virtues such as love, joy, and kindness which the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of Christians following their conversion. They are contrasted with sinful behaviors, demonstrate inward life change, and provide evidence that the Spirit is present in a person's life. Christians believe the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in a believer when they sincerely turn toward Christ.
Do they receive this immediately upon being saved?
RM
No, the Bible does not indicate that someone receives or displays the full fruit of the Spirit immediately at the moment of salvation. Rather, it is seen as something that develops progressively over time. A few reasons this is believed:
Sanctification is an ongoing process - While someone is justified (declared righteous before God) instantly when they are saved, sanctification (being made holy) happens progressively. Producing virtues like love and patience is part of this process.
Spiritual growth takes varying amounts of time - Believers experience the work of the Spirit in different ways and at different paces as they grow in Christ-likeness. One may quickly display more love, while it takes someone else longer to develop joy or peace.
Epistles instruct believers to “walk by” and be led by the Spirit - Passages like Galatians 5:16 and Romans 8:14 imply the fruits of the Spirit are displayed through a continual reliance on the Spirit rather than automatically at conversion. The fruits are connected to actively submitting to and following the Spirit.
The tense of the word “fruit” - The Greek suggests an ongoing harvest of fruit rather than a single batch. Fruit continues to be borne in someone's life by the power of the Spirit.
So while seeds of the Spirit are planted at conversion, believers must cultivate spiritual growth through practices like prayer, obedience, and fellowship - allowing the Spirit to more fully do his work over time. This produces increasing spiritual maturity and fruitfulness from the indwelling Spirit.
How does someone work at developing this fruit with these practices, what actions should they take to achieve this growth?
RM
Here are some practical actions and practices believers can take to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit and spiritual growth in their lives:
Study and meditate on Scripture - God's Word exposes areas needing change and provides wisdom and power to transform into Christ's likeness. Set aside regular quiet time to read biblical passages on the fruits of the Spirit.
Prayer - Asking the Holy Spirit specifically to help develop His fruit in your life is key. Humility before God in prayer allows Him to work in hearts. Pray for each fruit, fruitful seasons, and the discipline to obey the Spirit’s leadings.
Self-examination - Periodically evaluating weaknesses and character struggles pertinent to the fruits through prayer and Scripture allows checkpoints for growth. Assess what fruits need cultivation without condemnation.
Obey the Spirit’s nudges - As we tune into the Spirit through studying scripture, we begin to sense His light nudges to action or restraint. Obeying those prompts allows more room for the Spirit to work.
Christian fellowship - Getting plugged into a local church or small group builds meaningful relationships that sharpen others' gifts in our lives. An authentic community provides opportunities to display fruits like patience or kindness.
Serve others - Putting ourselves in positions to give, serve, teach, encourage, and build others up provides practical ways for the Spirit to work through us and transform us into Jesus’ image in the process.
While not easy, engaging these practices positions believers for the Spirit to develop His beautiful fruit incrementally over the seasons of life’s journey. By His power working in and through us, spiritual maturity and fruitfulness come steadily.
It seems as though most of these actions are carried out individually, but how should one go about following through with this fellowship and finding appropriate service to others?
RM
You're absolutely right - while many spiritual growth practices are done individually, pursuing Christian fellowship and service to others are critical communal activities that require some thoughtful follow-through. Here are some tips on how to go about that:
Finding Fellowship:
Visit several local churches and talk to leaders about smaller community groups and ministry teams you could join based on your interests and availability. Many churches have an integrated discipleship pathway.
Check church websites/social media for home groups or service teams open for newcomers to visit or serve with first before officially joining. This provides a no-pressure "try before you buy" introduction.
Speak to Christian friends, colleagues, and mentors about how and where they have found meaningful fellowship and community engagement. Ask to attend or serve alongside them.
Search for nearby Bible studies or Christ-based special interest groups (hiking, singles groups, etc.) meeting independently or in homes. These often gladly welcome new participants.
Be proactive in introducing yourself and exchanging contacts with other believers when you attend worship services and events. Follow up to build rapport.
Pursuing Service:
Ask ministry leaders how you can volunteer, even starting with a small role. Whether greeting, making coffee, child care, media, etc. - all serve the larger purpose.
Look at church/para-church ministry websites and sign up for one-time service projects or short-term teams needing extra help. Great way to try different things.
Use your existing talents and gifts - offer to sing on a worship team, play an instrument, share organizational skills, photography/media abilities, or other expertise.
Initiate your act of service like visiting elderly shut-ins, single parents needing babysitting, neighbors who need yardwork/household, etc., and include others.
I hope these tips provide some next steps to take! The key is engaging your gifts to meet the needs around you. In the process, meaningful fellowship and growth in the fruits of the Spirit will follow.
Is this fellowship and service as important or possibly more important than the individual actions?
RM
That's an excellent question. I would argue that while individual spiritual practices are absolutely essential for personal growth, biblical fellowship and service to others are portrayed as being just as critical, if not more so in some respects. There are a few reasons why community and contribution are vitally important:
They were modeled by Jesus and the early church - Christ called us to make disciples and demonstrate love for others. The first believers "devoted themselves to fellowship and sharing meals...and to prayer" (Acts 2). Koinonia community was foundational.
Spiritual gifts function through interdependence - Our gifts complement others' serving the whole body (1 Cor 12:7). My teaching gift needs your mercy gift. Using gifts requires a relationship.
They reinforce humility and shape character - Rubbing shoulders challenges self-focus, impatience, and pride issues for the Spirit's fruit to grow. Serving redirects inward tendencies.
They provide support and accountability - In fellowship and service efforts, we encourage each other through hardships, model maturity for newer believers, and keep each other on track.
They're a platform for outsider evangelism - As Jesus said “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35). Our unity and care draw interest.
While personal disciplines like study, prayer, and worship establish essential foundations, shared practices seem crucial to fully "walking in the Spirit" collectively and manifesting fruits relationally. One must feed their soul, but also pour out to nourish others. Finding like-minded yet wonderfully unique believers with whom to learn, serve, and grow is key.