Come Holy Spirit series: Living the Fruitful life using the Fruits of the Holy Spirit

 Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

Living the Fruitful Life: A Reflection on the Fruits of the Spirit

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22–23

Over the past nine weeks, we’ve paused midweek to reflect on the fruits of the Spirit — not just as virtues to admire, but as real gifts that are being cultivated in us by the Holy Spirit.

Some fruits may have felt more familiar — others may have shone a spotlight into areas we’ve long avoided. However, in all things, the Spirit has been gently at work, pruning, nourishing, coaxing forth new growth.

 Nine Fruits, One Vine

These nine fruits are not separate personality traits we pick and choose like items from a supermarket shelf. They are the natural outcome of staying rooted in the Spirit. They grow together — slowly, sometimes painfully — but always with purpose. Just as a vine bears grapes, the soul that abides in God begins to bear fruit in season.

We began with Love — the foundation of all. Then came Joy and Peace, flowing from that love. Patience, Kindness, and Goodness came next — showing us what love looks like in action. Then came Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control — fruits that quietly guard and sustain the life of grace within.

Each of these fruits points back to Christ. Each fruit reflects something of His character. To grow in the fruit of the Spirit is to become more like Jesus.  

 Fruit Is Not Instant

No fruit appears overnight.  Sometimes, even when we think we’ve grown in patience or kindness or self-control, life offers us a fresh opportunity to learn again. We may wish to pause and reflect on how we have grown in these fruits during this part of the journey and ask the Holy Spirit to increase in us the fruits that we most need. 

The spiritual life is not about perfection, but cooperation. Our job is not to force the fruit to grow — but to remain open to the Spirit. To water our days with prayer, to open our hearts to Scripture, to remain pliable and teachable. In this way, the Spirit can do the deep interior work of transformation.

 Fruit That Feeds Others

The fruit of the Spirit is not just for our benefit. It is given to feed others. When someone encounters our gentleness instead of harshness, our peace instead of panic, our love instead of indifference — they taste something of God.

And that can change everything.

A Prayer to Close the Series

Come, Holy Spirit,
Grow in me what I cannot grow in myself.
Where love has withered, make it bloom again.
Where joy has fled, rekindle it.
Where peace is fractured, restore it.
Cultivate in me all the fruits of the Spirit.
And may my life be a branch that bears fruit for others —
fruit that lasts, fruit that blesses, fruit that glorifies You.

Amen.

 

What’s Next?

Next week, we begin a new section in this Holy Spirit series: Wondering Why — Titles, Images, and Symbols of the Holy Spirit.

Together, we will explore the deeper meanings behind the names we give the Spirit — Paraclete, Comforter, Fire, Dove, Seal, Living Water, and more.

Until then, may the fruits of the Spirit continue to grow in your life — not perfectly, but faithfully.