Q: According to the Bible, how many number of fruits of the Spirit that characterize a Christian life?
a. 7
b. 1
c. 9
A: There is only ONE fruit of the Spirit according to Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit is a manifestation of a transformed life that embraces nine attributes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we let our life be transformed by the Holy Spirit, we will RECEIVE ALL of these nine attributes in ONE FRUIT. They come in a package and are not individual "fruits" that you can pick and choose.
Isn't that amazing? Isn't that a blessing? When Marcel brought these verses up to my attention the other day, I was rebuked. What a gentle reminder to daily:
- "Do everything in love" even when I don't feel like it - 1 Corinthians 16:14
- Find my strength in the joy of the Lord because the world can't take it away - Nehemiah 8:10
- Cast my anxiety on Him and find peace in Him because He cares for me - 1 Peter 5:7
- Realize that disappointments, trials, hardships, waiting, and tests of faith will produce patience - James 1:3
- Use my tongue to say something kind because it will leave a lasting and positive impact to that person and can only do me good (not bad) - Proverbs 12:18
- Continue to do good to those who disappoint or hurt me, are different from me, or embrace values I disapprove even when my unmerciful nature tries to take the toll on me - Luke 6:27
- Be a faithful steward of God by responsibly managing my time and possessions and also caring for my ministries - 1 Timothy 1:12
- Read and receive the Word of God with humbleness even though I have read or heard It so many times before because It is good for my soul - James 1:21
- Consciously resort my default reaction to self control instead of anger even when I'm hungry (Marcel knows best that giving one taco to a hungry wife isn't a good idea) - Ephesians 4:26
4 comments:
b. 1 if my memory is right the verse says: the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
c. 9
Don't know the exact number but it's at least more than 7.
There are nine characteristics in one fruit.
There is onlly 1 fruit of the spirit and the others are characteristics on that fruit.
You can't have any of the characteristics without have the fruit.
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