Fruits or Fruit

Tanya James


“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Galatians 5:22

For many years whenever I talked about this scripture, I would say the fruits (plural) of the spirit instead of the fruit of the spirit. I’m not sure if I just did not know what the correct words were or if I self consciously made it plural so that I could pick and choose which fruits to strive for.

I’m sure I’m not the only one that sometimes fails to be loving to EVERYONE I come in contact with … or what about that self control fruit … that one can be applied to so many areas of our lives. If I am really honest, I can clearly recall times when I have even made a statement similar to, “I may not have been faithful in completing my assignment but I was very kind.” Yes, I admit that I have been guilty of justifying my disobedience.

Guess what … I can try to justify it but it doesn’t really work that way … fruit being singular instead of plural is not a typo. What it tells me is that all nine of those things work together as one. We aren’t dealing with a smorgasbord. We don’t get to wake up each morning and pick one or two to walk in for that day. We must strive to apply all nine to our lives at all times.

I will be the first to admit that it is not always an easy task … for me, the fruit of the spirit have flown out the window in Atlanta traffic many of days … and let’s not mention when that boss in corporate America seems to know every button to push. Or what happens when that customer service representative just won’t listen and keeps cutting you off. However, just like every other mandate in the Word of God – it requires discipline and a daily (or hourly) dying to self.

Is walking in the spirit an easy task? Not always but it’s a mandatory one …

And if you have any questions about how you are doing in this area … back up in Galatians just a few scriptures and read about the works of the flesh, which are the complete opposite of the fruit of the spirit and let that be your checkpoint.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornications, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5: 19-21

What Are You Serving?

Pastor Marquis Boone


Most people love to eat fruit. Doctors and nutritionists say fruits are good for you. The food pyramid also states that we should have 2-4 servings of fruit every day, because they are rich in nutrients.

Many are excellent sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and potassium. They are also low in fat and sodium and high in fiber. Just as our physical body needs fruit everyday, our spiritual body needs to serve fruit everyday.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

This scripture says "Fruit of the Spirit". This is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a Christian life. Many have struggled with this scripture; and said that each fruit is individual but we learn from scripture that these are not individual "fruits" from which we can pick and choose.

It is essential that we understand that the inscription of true spirituality and the signs of maturity in Christian growth are found not in the gifts of the Spirit; but relatively they are found in producing the fruit of the Spirit.

“There are no short cuts to maturity. It takes years for us to grow to adulthood; and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christ like character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time. When you try to ripen fruit quickly, it loses its flavor.” - Author unknown

So what’s the secret to successful fruit growing? Preparation, preparation, and preparation! There's an old gardening adage: “spend a shilling on the plant and a pound on the ground”. Good, well-prepared soil is essential to growing any type of fruit.This involves digging deep.

Sometimes we ask ourselves will we ever have all nine characteristics. Just continue to prepare your heart which is the soil. But remember it is our job not to just bear the fruit but to serve it to others.