But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
When I read verses that start with words like "but" or "and" I know I need to read the previous verses. Verses 19-21 tell us about our sinful nature and how the works of our flesh are obvious. This also includes that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Paul is talking about walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh in verse 16. I believe he is talking about the people who are not saved being the one's who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Because as Christians we are saved by grace. Once we are saved we have the Holy Spirit residing within us.
The Holy Spirit gives us the desires that are opposite of what the sinful nature desires and these two forces are constantly battling each other. The NLT version tells us the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to produce these fruits. We can't do this on our own and thank God He sent us a helper. Even on my best days I have trouble with one or the other. Actually, I have trouble with several and more than I care to admit on a bad day. Seriously, I want to produce good fruit all of the time and I am much more fruitful than I used to be, but I know there is always room for more growth.
1. Love is much more than a feeling it is a deep affection combined with action.
2. Joy is the delight of the mind; renewed minds and thoughts.
3. Peace is tranquility; the freedom from agitation, fear, anxiety, and other things that we let have too much control.
4. Long suffering is the ability to be patient during the times we are waiting.
5. Gentleness is the quality of being kind and tenderhearted. 6. Goodness is the acts of kindness shown with compassion and mercy.
7. Faith is believing the truth of divine revelation and being loyal to God.
8. Meekness is humility/humble (sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God); through grace submitting to the divine will of God.
9. Temperance is remaining calm showing restraint or self-control.
As I said earlier we cannot do this on our own at least in the way God wants us to. This is why it is so important to know it is the Holy Spirit that produces this kind of fruit in us. This way we are able to reach the unreachable and love the unlovable just as Jesus did.
When we love with a deep affection an action is recognized more than words. At the same time we will show our love with joy in our hearts and mind. When we have joy in our heart it is easy to be at peace. The peace will be displayed as we are being patient while waiting. As we learn to be patient we will strengthen the quality of being kind and tenderhearted. Once we have developed this quality we will be able to show our acts of kindness with compassion and mercy. God showed us compassion and mercy by sending His son to die for us which leads us to faith. Faith is believing in the truth of divine revelation which leads us to meekness. While being faithful it becomes easier to display (meekness) humbling ourselves and submitting to His divine will. When we humble ourselves, our attitude, and quality of the heart we are able to remain calm showing self-control.
If we allow ourselves to be led by the power of the Holy Spirit we will be able to produce much fruit that will always be growing within us. May God bless you with a very fruitful life.