The fruit of the Spirit form a comprehensive and profound picture of the Spirit-controlled life. They are not called “fruit of human effort” which are described in the previous verses as the “deeds of the flesh.” The fruit of the Spirit cannot be fabricated or faked without eventually giving way to exposure. One cannot draw pictures of apples on paper, cut them out and then tape them onto a tree with the hopes of creating real fruit. Rather it is the tree that produces real fruit, which is nourished from the internal life of the tree.

The Christian is like a tree. Simply pinning on a facsimile of spiritual fruit does not make him or her spiritual. That is the picture of someone trying to living spiritually by using the Law. In contrast, the vitality that produces genuine spiritual fruit comes from the Spirit of God working internally, with us responding to Him, not to Law. This is what Paul early referred to as “walking by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) and being “led by the Spirit” (5:18).

The obvious contrast is made between the “deeds of the flesh” (vs. 19) and the “fruit of the Spirit.” The word “fruit” is used in the collective singular and this fruit is delineated into nine specific manifestations, all of which are expanded upon in other portions of Scripture. Love, of course, is exalted by Paul as being the first, consistent with his writing in 1 Corinthians 13, particularly that, “Love is the greatest” (vs. 13). He further writes to young Timothy, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). This is God’s supreme motivation and it brings Him great glory when He sees this fruit in the lives of His people.

Joy, of course, is the theme of the letter to the Philippians. If there is anything needed today it is the joy of the Lord. This is the antidote to spiritual depression that seems so prevalent.

Peace was prominent in the Lord’s teaching in the upper room (“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). Genuine inner peace can only come from the Lord Jesus, not through relaxation techniques. This becomes the stake in the ground for controlling our emotions, our interactions with others and our sense of contentment.

How do we grow this fruit? By walking with the Spirit by faith! This is not mysticism or a matter of “phenomenal manifestations,” but simply obeying by faith the Spirit’s inner leading in our lives.