Fruit of the Holy Spirit explained? Gentleness – prautes: This word doesn’t have a true English translation, although “meekness” is often used. It does not refer to actions or attitudes toward others but to the spiritual condition of submission toward God. It means to accept His correction without disputing or resisting. Much like kindness, gentleness comes from a position of strength. It is submission and grace without concern for one’s own rights (Philippians 2:5-7). Self-control – egkrateia: Self-control can also only be manifested through strength. The root word implies a robust power, mastery, and restraining. Paul’s teaching concerning self-control actually scared Felix, the governor he confronted in Acts 24 (see verse 25).
Galatians 5:22-23: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The fruit of the Spirit is what grows in us as born-again believers and helps us to show the love of God to those who don’t know Him. The closer we grow to God, the more of the fruit that becomes evident in our lives.
The “Fruit of the Spirit” is a great passage of scripture for kids that immediately gives them something they understand and can relate to-fruit! This series of lessons gives you a great opportunity to include activities, crafts, songs and games revolving around cheerful, colorful objects. Purple balloons (grapes) and other vibrant colors can be part of your visual representation of the fruits. Fake fruits are often available in craft stores for additional props.
When you are born again you receive the Gift of Holy Spirit; you become a new creation, a new man, because a spiritual seed is placed inside you. When cultivated and grown this seed blossoms into a tree that bears spiritual fruit. The amount of fruit you bear is dependant on how much you tend to the seed and grow it… meaning, how close you are to God and how much you are doing His word. This fruit manifests itself in the following ways.
Being moderate, kind; the absence of harshness or severity. The Apostle Paul illustrates gentleness by the example of a mother feeding her babies (I Thessalonians 2:7). Moral excellence; virtue. God is the ultimate example of goodness. Goodness is holiness put into practice and results from knowing God. Goodness enables you to do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27) as well as those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). It is the goodness and grace of God that leads people to repentance. That’s why we need to be good to people. Our witness won’t have any power unless we are kind to others. We are called to be light in a dark world, and we must make up our minds that we are going to shine!
The lessons we offer are written on a level that children can fully understand. Paired with our coloring pages and additional activities the lessons can bring this group of attributes to life. Check out our selection of children’s songs to add additional fun and enthusiasm to learning about the fruit of the Spirit. See additional info on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit video on YouTube.
The phrase “the fruit of the Spirit” has caused a great deal of confusion over the years. Perhaps it would be best to begin by explaining what the fruit of the Spirit is not. It is not the result of any effort anyone can make. Not the effort to have faith or to obey or to be loving and kind. The fruit of the Spirit has nothing directly to do with any exertion a believer can make.