by Richard Reid
We learned in Part One that the 9 flavors of the fruit of the Spirit may be divided into 3 categories:
Category 1: Our relationship with God: Love, Joy and Peace
Category 2: Our relationship with Others: Patience, Kindness and Goodness, and
Category 3: Our relationship with Ourself: Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control
I have subsequently learned that one can delve even further into this topic.
Introduction to Part Two:
God has 3 parts: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Man has three parts: Body, Soul and Spirit.
A fruit has 3 parts: Skin, Pulp and Seeds.
God, Man and fruit have parts that intertwine to make up the whole. So, in this part of our discussion, we will strive to get under the skin of the fruit and delve into the pulp, we will see that each of the three fruit categories can be further divided into 3 sections and each section will in turn interconnect our relationship with God, with Others and with Ourselves.
Category 1 – Love, Joy and Peace
Love:
God’s Love is connected directly to us. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God’s Love is connected with Others. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Through love, we are to also be connected with others: 1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Love is also to be connected with ourselves: Proverbs 19:8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
So, as you can see, the Bible clearly shows an interconnection between God, Others and Ourselves
through love.
Joy:
God’s joy is connected directly to us: John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Nehemiah 8:10 states, “… Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
God’s joy is connected with others: John 17:13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
The Joy that is given to us from God is also connected directly to oneself: John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Peace:
Peace with God: John 14:27 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.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Peace with others: Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Peace within: Romans 8:6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Peace combined: 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Category 2 – Patience, Kindness and Goodness
Patience:
God’s Patience with us: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone
to come to repentance.
Patience with Others: 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior,…
Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Patience with Ourselves: James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is
near.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Kindness:
Relation With God: Ephesians 2:6-7 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the
heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Relation With Others: Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Relation With yourself: Proverbs 16:23 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
Interconnection with love: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind….
Goodness:
Relationship with God: Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Relationship with Others: Psalm 34:14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to
those who belong to the family of believers.
1 Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
Relationship with Ourselves: Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Category 3: Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control
Faithfulness:
Relationship with God: Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the
faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and
keep his commandments.
Relationship with Others: Proverbs 28:20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
Relationship with Ourselves: Luke 16:10 (KJV) He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in
much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Gentleness:
Relationship with God: James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy
Relationship with Others: 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But
do this with gentleness and respect,
Galatians 5:23 Gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Relationship with Ourselves: Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Self-Control:
Relationship with God: Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Relationship with Others: 1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual
consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again
so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Relationship with Ourselves: Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
1 Peter 4:7 (ESV) The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober- minded for the sake of your prayers.
Summary:
As you can see, Part two is like going beneath the skin of the fruit and looking at the pulp. As a result, I have found that each of the 3 fruit flavor categories has been further divided into 3 sections: Relationship with God, Relationship with Others, and Relationship with ourselves. One can say from this expansion of part One that the fruit of the Spirit grows both in and on you ࣩ࣬࣫࣪
