Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Fruits are a common item mentioned throughout the Bible. The following fruits get mentioned in Scriptures: Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, dates, and apples. All of these are still common to us today. People of the Old and New Testament realized that fruits were gifts from God, and so people and places were named after these fruits. For example, the name Tamar (Genesis 38:6) means date, and the town of Anab (Joshua 11:21) means grape. Fruits, in ancient times, were also used as decorations on altars and priestly clothing.
God formed fruit-bearing and seed-bearing plants during creation so they could reproduce themselves without being recreated. The term fruit-bearing grew to be used with other meanings also. We find an example in Genesis 1:28 “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground,” which meant to reproduce themselves by having children. Later in the Bible, the term is used to mean sharing our faith as seen in Luke 8:15 “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
The Bible also uses fruits to illustrate how we should live. The grapevine to explain how any plant which does not bear fruit will be pruned by the gardener as shown in John 15:1-5. In this same passage, Jesus refers to himself as the vine, and we are the branches, and to produce fruit, we must remain attached to the vine. Wild vines, in Jeremiah 2:21, represent those who turn away from God and follow the way of the world.
Christian Joy is much broader than just feeling happy. Click To Tweet
When the Bible repeats words or ideas, it should cause us to pay attention. I believe this is why the works of the Spirit get referred to as “fruits.” Last week, we looked at the first fruit, love. This week I want to examine the fruits of Joy and Peace. I think these two fruits partner so well together because when we have one of them, the other will follow closely.
Joy does not just mean happiness. The world equates joy and happiness as the same thing. But Christian Joy is much broader than just feeling happy. Joy remains present no matter how dark our circumstances appear because we know God is still in control even when everything is out of control. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. Anchoring our joy in Jesus helps prevent the world from robbing us of it. Like the campfire song by George William Cooke explains, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay.” The fruit of Joy resides deep within our heart so that the Spirit can shelter it from all the circumstances of life.
Anchoring our joy in Jesus helps prevent the world from robbing us of it. Click To Tweet
Likewise, Peace from a worldly perspective differs from this fruit of the Spirit. I think the world no longer knows peace at all, lost in the chaos of war and terror. Satan thrives on unrest within a soul. But, God gives us a feeling of peace that transcends human understanding. In John 14:27 Christ assures us with these words; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Possessing the fruits of Joy and Peace will radiate from us to those stuck in the darkness of their circumstances. Click To Tweet
Possessing the fruits of Joy and Peace will radiate from us to those stuck in the darkness of their circumstances. God gives us these fruits to share with others. Those broken in spirit cry out for lasting joy and peace, and only those with these fruits can lead them to the light of Christ. God gave us the gift of the fruits of the Spirit to share and not to hoard for ourselves. Sharing the source of our joy and peace is one of the ways we are called to be”fruitful and multiply.”
Blessings,
Yvonne – #blogger, #speaker, and #author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
If you are interested in reading another perspective on The Fruits of the Spirits, please read my friend Melissa’s post on the subject at Melissa’s Blog
Although I’ve read John 14:27 many times, I needed to be reminded of this today. Satan is at work with the loss of my job and in my marriage. My focus today will be this verse.
Praying for you during these trying times. His peace will be with you
Loved your introduction on the meaning of the concept of Fruit in the Scripture. Give a whole new perspective on the topic of the Fruits of the Spirit! And what a wonderful encouragement to anchor our Joy in Jesus! Thank you!
Thanks. He is our anchor always
Hello Yvonne – thank you for your thoughtful article
So interesting when we say “possess” because of course the amazing blessing we receive through the Holy Spirit – the fruits that show up in our life – emanate straight out, like light in darkness. Even in sharing the source brings more peace and joy – thank you for capturing these thoughts and passing them on
Thanks Bob. I appreciate your comments
Thank u for clarifying differences in worldly versions of joy and peace and what is biblical.
Yvonne, this post was a great blessing! I appreciate how you gave a variety of examples from the Bible regarding the uses of fruit. In addition, you helped connect my understanding of the word, fruit, to the numerous places it is used in the Bible. “Christian Joy is much broader than just being happy.” This is such an important point and I need to be reminded again and again. I loved your concluding encouragement to be spiritually fruitful by sharing the Source of our peace and joy! Thank you and God bless!
Thanks Melissa. I really appreciate you commenting and you blog on the subject too. God wants to get the word out and I am glad we got to be a part of it
I agree. It is so special to me that God moved through both of us at the same time regarding the same theme. That is Holy Spirit joy! By the way, I received your book and am excited to begin reading soon! Much love and admiration!
Thank you sweet sister. God is good
God is so good! Bless you, sweet sister!
I appreciate your discussion of what joy is, compared to the worldly view of joy being the same as happiness. Joy is steadfast and Spirit-given and I love your point that the fruits of the Spirit are meant to overflow!
Thank you for visiting and adding your thoughts
For some reason while reading this, “the joy of the Lord is our strength” really stood out to me. I don’t think I’ve truly thought that phrase through before now. We gain strength in this life when we choose to hold onto our joy in Christ. Thanks for making me think about this!
Joy is missing in so many other religions of the world. We need it and it is a strength. Thanks
Yes, Yvonne. Real peace and joy can only come through Christ. You mentioned John 15 when Jesus calls himself the vine and us the branches. I read that recently on how we produce fruit by remaining in Jesus and letting God prune us so we produce more and grow. Then verse 11 is tucked at the end of that section of the chapter. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Our joy is complete when we remain in the vine. 🙂 Great word.
Amen
Yvonne, this is a terrific insight: “examine the fruits of Joy and Peace. I think these two fruits partner so well together because when we have one of them, the other will follow closely.” You are so right. I hadn’t ever considered that before. These are both fruits we crave in our lives. In long-lasting form they’re only found in Christ. An encouraging post! Thank you!
Thanks Melinda. I always appreciate your thoughts
Dear Yvonne!
I like where you’re going with your blog now; great job!
You said something about when the Bible repeated something we ought to listen. That’s an interesting observation. One strength in the Biblical stories is that they rely heavily on different elements from the Rhetorical discipline, repetition being one of them.
May we all enjoy the fruits of joy and peace.
With love!
Edna Davidsen
Thanks Edna, I appreciate your help
You’re welcome!
I have seen people who have faced difficulties yet were filled with joy. Obviously, this was a supernatural joy the world cannot give. Knowing the difficulties they faced and seeing the joy they radiated, was a testimony to those around them. I love your comment: “God gave us the gift of the fruits of the Spirit to share and not to hoard for ourselves.” I believe if we have the fruit of the Spirit in operation in our lives, others will see it, taste it, and feel it. It cannot be hidden. It will be a blessing to everyone who comes in contact with that believer. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The fruits of the Spirit should be pondered so we will continue to desire them.
Thanks Anneliese, the fruits should be visible in our lives so we draw others to Christ through how we live. Thanks for commenting.
I think joy and peace are the 2 most difficult, or least natural, fruits for me to see in my life. I tend to be anxious. In fact, a guy at my church a couple years ago chided me for being so gloomy. I was stricken. How could I be so gloomy? I felt like a hypocrite. God has done wonderful things in me and through me. How could I only look at my present circumstances without God’s hope included?
Your words are so true. To be filled with joy and peace are a light in the darkness. The world needs to know that there can be peace and joy in the midst of chaos and fear. It’s not a façade but an acknowledgement that God lives through us and in us. That’s a lot to be joyful about. Good wood, Yvonne.
Thanks Chip. Your thoughts are important to me and I am glad you could relate. We can get so caught up in life, we forget the fruits are there to guide us.