Woman walking in a field full of love, joy and peace

Walking by the Spirit in Love, Joy, Peace

The β€œfruit” of the Holy Spirit refers to the godly attributes of those who β€œwalk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). The true manifestation of the Holy Spirit at work in a believer’s life is that the believer becomes increasingly more like Christ in character and actions. The fruit of the Spirit should characterize the life of every believer. Today we take a look at three fruits of the Spirit found inΒ Galatians 5:22Β β€” love, joy, and peace.

Love

In both Hebrew (ahab) and Greek (agapΔ“), words translated β€œlove” are action words, indicating conscious acts on behalf of a beloved. However, biblical love seems to demand going beyond merely a particular behavior to include a certain inner attitude, that is, a positive inner response (1 John 3:17).

While several Greek words describe specific forms of love, the Greek word agapΔ“ most expresses Christlike, selfless love. Unselfish, loyal, benevolent concern for the well-being of another is called by Paul β€œthe greatest” gift of all (1 Corinthians 13:13). Christian love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, a virtue of godly living (Galatians 5:22).

The attributes of love reflect both feelings and loving acts (1 Corinthians 13:4–8). True love is characterized as:

β€’ Patient and slow to anger (verse 4)
β€’ Kind and gentle to all (verse 4)
β€’ Unselfish and giving (verse 5)
β€’ Truthful and honest (verse 6)
β€’ Hopeful and encouraging (verse 7)
β€’ Enduring, without end (verse 7)

Biblical love is not envious, proud, self-centered, rude, or provoking (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5).

Without love, the gifts of the Spirit are deemed worthless, and the fruit of the Spirit incomplete (verse 8). Christian love is eternal. While all else fails, love never fails. It is a permanent, unconditional concern for others that results from the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, rather than from human effort or desire.

Joy

A number of Hebrew and Greek words are used in the Bible to convey the concept of joy. In fact, the word β€œjoy” is found more than 150 times in the Bible.

Joy comes from God as a result of faith and obedience (John 15:10, 11;Β Romans 15:13). The abundance of joy is in direct proportion to the intimacy and steadfastness of a believer’s walk with the Lord. Sin in a believer’s life can rob joy (Psalm 51:8, 12). True joy is evident regardless of circumstances. The Spirit-filled believer continues to rejoice even amidst troubles (James 1:2, 3). Biblical joy is clearly different from earthly, temporal pleasures that are bound to circumstances.

The purpose of joy is to provide blessing for the believer. Joy enables you to enjoy all that God has given β€” health, family, friends, opportunities, and salvation. As you experience true joy, your joy can then be shared with others (Romans 12:15). Abundant joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit for those who walk in faith.

Peace

In both the Old and New Testaments, peace is described as the result of having a right relationship with God and with others (seeΒ Romans 5:1, 2). The Greek wordΒ eireneΒ has a meaning similar to the Hebrew wordΒ shalom. Spiritual peace describes a sense of well- being and fulfillment that comes from God and is dependent on His presence alone (Galatians 5:22).

Inner spiritual peace is experienced by any believer who walks in the Spirit despite surrounding turmoil. The true β€œpeace of God” protects the hearts and minds of believers from worry, fear, and anxiety. It transcends all logic or rationale (Philippians 4:7). The God of Peace who offers salvation also promises His presence and power in the lives of His children. His presence creates in us a quiet confidence, regardless of circumstances, people, or things.

Though impossible to comprehend fully, true peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a part of the β€œwhole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11, 13). According to the apostle Paul, our understanding and experiencing of the gospel produces peace that allows us to walk boldly into spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:11, 13) and to survive all manner of difficulty and danger. The believer receives peace from God as a virtue of holy living and a protection from evil forces. Where the peace of God is present, there is no room for worry.

Reflecting the Character of God

The fruit of the Holy Spirit affects the believer’s relationship with God, others, and self. As Christians grow in their relationship with the Lord, they develop unselfish love, true joy, and lasting peace. While the fruit of the Holy Spirit is not necessary for salvation, these godly virtues are evidence of salvation and the genuine work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:17). Followers of Christ not only receive the blessings of God but also reflect His character to all whom they encounter.

Article drawn from study features in theΒ NIV Woman’s Study Bible.

28 comments

  1. sipeti wekesa says:

    Amen. Thanks for the word of God.

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  2. Where is self control, as from the fruit of the Holy Spirit β€οΈπŸ™πŸ‘πŸ’―βœ… ?

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  3. Noxolisiko says:

    Thank you about the teaching of fruit of the Spirit. And I pray for the manifestation of self control that I lack mostly. God bless

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  4. Mpho Pindi Nkwanyane says:

    Thank you for God’s word which feeds the soul. Nothing else can compare to God’s living word.

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  5. Abraham nyei says:

    Well thanks for the knowledge you share with us. I pray πŸ™ that the fruit πŸ“πŸ‘ of the holy spirit rest upon me, in Jesus name, Amen.

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  6. Darius Kabwe says:

    In God we trust. Nothing is impossible with Him. He makes a way where there is no way. I thank God for the encouragement.

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  7. Kwarija says:

    Very good

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  8. Richard says:

    God bless you…indeed I shall never thirst, indeed I shall never hunger. So shall you all in Christ

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  9. Thandi says:

    Thank you for this encouraging word of God. πŸ™ I trust God because He loves β™₯️ me and cares πŸ’•for me. πŸ™ŒπŸ™

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  10. Jade Cummings says:

    Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Cortinthians 13:4

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  11. Emmanuel GRUPENKRU says:

    I need inspirational Bible stories about God.

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  12. Elijah says:

    Amen to God

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  13. Martha Jones says:

    I thank God for His Word. Focus on peace. Thank you for your help.

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  14. Victor says:

    Praise God for Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit AMEN πŸ™

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  15. Lunia kamkosi Mmadi says:

    Thank you for the word of God that feeds my soul. God bless.

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  16. I have read several translations of the Bible. According to ESV in it’s preface there is no perfect Bible translation from the original. How then can we be sure if there is a contribution since Jesus Christ said in John 10:35 no scripture can be broken?

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  17. Gbenro Samson says:

    Good and refreshing.

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    1. LYDIA PHIRI says:

      Thanks for the word of God am blessed….Amen

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  18. Rebecca Sigasa says:

    I thank God for all his children that continue to encourage us through His word. Please stand in the gap and pray for all Christians to walk in the Spirit. To obey the Holy Spirit and that his word be received in our hearts and we may bear all the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I desire to bear much fruit and be exactly like Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

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    1. Simon says:

      Thanks for the Word of God teachings. I’m praying for strong faith in order to benefit from the fruits of the Spirit. I wish to live with true Love, Joy and Peace. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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  19. Ebenezer Owusu Begua says:

    I have been blessed by your word. Thank you.

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  20. Martin says:

    Thank so much for the powerful massage of God.

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  21. Brenda Matlou says:

    I have inner peace. I now know that joy and peace comes from God. Thank you so much for the Scriptures showing that God is love.

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  22. Matthew says:

    Surely you are the light of the world. I am now fully enlightened about the fruits of Holy Spirit.

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  23. Adazion says:

    I am blessed by your world, thank you so much.

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  24. Fredrick says:

    Well done. Is it true that when one does not speak in tongues, he doesn’t have the Holy spirit?

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  25. Pius Sondong says:

    God’s time is the best.

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  26. Botwekazi says:

    Amen!! That was great.

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