In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit as: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (self-control). This fruit is the product of a spirit-filled life. It is the true evidence of being Spirit-filled. This fruit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, not elements of man that can be enhanced through self-development. This fruit is produced by the Spirit himself in the life of the believer. Man can only manifest it, not manufacture it. The only way this fruit can be enhanced is by the individual yielding more to the Holy Spirit. Notice that Paul does not refer to these elements (or what others call graces) as “fruits”. The singular word “fruit” depicts a perfect oneness.
Although Jesus did not list the elements that comprise the fruit of the Spirit, He had a lot to say about the fruit as a whole.
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every [branch] that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word, which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bare fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you [are] the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father if glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples” (John 15:1-8).
Jesus says that He is the vine and that the Father is the vinedresser or gardener. We are the branches. Branches that are in Jesus (the Vine) that do not produce fruit, the Father takes away. Notice that this is the job of the Father, not the other branches on the tree. Believers cannot try to assume the work of the Father by trying to clean up the tree.
Notice also that the branches that produce fruit are pruned to produce more fruit. Most believers don’t mind producing fruit as long as they don’t have to be pruned. Pruning is that action of cutting away dead leaves and withered fruit. For Christians, pruning comes in the way of trials and tribulations. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).
Abiding in Jesus is the key to producing fruit. We are not commanded to produce fruit, since we cannot produce fruit on our own. Our commandment is to abide in Jesus Christ. As we abide in Christ, we are told that we will produce much fruit. We are also reminded that without Christ, we can do nothing. The result that Jesus teaches in this passage (John 15) that comes from abiding in Him is not only astonishing, but has been misrepresented by preaching and teaching for years.
According to Jesus, if we abide in Him and His word abides in us, we can ask whatever we desire. Now we have taken this passage to mean that if we are saved, then we can ask for whatever material thing we want and get it. This is a clear misrepresentation of this scripture. The whole passage deals with fruit, not material blessings. Verse eight clearly states, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.”
It is not in having a bunch of material things that the Father is glorified, it is our fruitfulness. Our asking of the Father should be motivated by things that will enhance our bearing of fruit. In this way, we show that we are His disciples: “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Matthew 12:33).
Archbishop Danette M. Scott, Ph.D.
A Ray of Hope Ministries Christian Center
