9 Fruits of the Spirit
In Christianity, the 9 fruits of the spirit are more like a fruit salad than a collection of whole fruits. You cannot separate one from the others and choose to follow just one. They are all intermingled as part of the package. The Biblical reference is in Galatians 5:22-23 in the King James version. It names the nine fruits of the spirit as joy, love, longsuffering, peace, goodness, faith, gentleness, meekness and temperance. These are the characteristics of those who are true Christians. The comprehension of the concept requires that you understand the Biblical definition of each of the fruits. Remembering that each is just one part of living the life in Christ, you can see how each attribute affects the individual in his journey to become one with God.
Love
Love is the first of the 9 fruits of the spirit. According to 1st John 4:16, "Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." We picture love today as a kind romantic affection for another person, animal or thing. While loving everyone and everything is almost impossible when you think of it that way, the true definition of love comes from the 1st Corinthians 13:48.
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"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
When using that definition, it takes on a new meaning. Love is not the rush you feel when you find the perfect mate, but simply the comfortable easiness with your self and the world around you. It's finding good in everyone and accepting people for what they are, not trying to change or harass them for what they aren't.
Peace
Peace is nothing more than knowing that everything is right with the world and the Lord will bring all things necessary at the perfect time. Inner peace comes with faith and faith is the center of all religions.
Joy and Longsuffering
Joy and longsuffering are intertwined because longsuffering should be maintained with patience and joy. Joy enables the people that hold it to not just be at peace because of the greatness of God, but also rejoice in the belief of his love. It comes from believing that Christ gave his life so that all that believe will not perish but have everlasting life. Joy is mingled with longsuffering the next of the 9 fruits of the spirit.
Gentleness
Gentleness is another word for kindness. While the Bible has a number of references toward gentleness. It is an easy concept to understand in today's world. If you are confronted by a situation that irritates you, you do nothing to help by demonstrating that irritation and that irritation soils your entire day.
Rather than lose your temper with a store clerk that's inefficient, showing kindness and helpfulness can actually improve the day for both of you. The same is true for goodness and doing good works.
Temperance and Meekness
Temperance is self-control and perseverance. Most people agree that these two qualities can be of service to anyone that possesses them. Meekness does not mean you allow those around you to overrun you. It means that you don't do that to others and are not prideful when you win. You do not gloat with pride.
Faith
The final of the 9 fruits of the spirit is Faith. This is probably the most important. We cannot see God but have evidence around us in the universe that he exists. The evidence that God exists is not in scientific texts neither is the proof of his power or strength to save you. Faith is what makes the difference and is the key fruit of the spirit that blends all the others to give the optimal spirit that Christians strive to attain.
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