The Fruits of the Spirit

[Maryanne Winder Lester]

The Fruits of the Spirit 4/3/10

When I first started attending Discipleship classes, I was fascinated by the word, “fruit” as it applies to Christians. The first 2 Bible verses I learned in class were the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel According to John. “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.” John 15:5. And, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:8. I had no idea what “fruit” Jesus was talking about.

God gave me an intuitive mind. I am a researcher. I see things from lots of angles. I ask many questions. And, before I can declare that I truly understand anything and it is the truth, I have to be positive that my understanding is correct. That is my worldly mind.

Then I read John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” How relieved I was to read Jesus’ words here. I was still a very new Christian at this point and I expected the Holy Spirit to answer me instantly every time a question popped into my head. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this expectation was very wrong. I really struggled with understanding. My classmates seemed to catch on much faster than I did. I just didn’t get it. The fact was, I had no control over my own understanding, no matter how hard I studied. I felt stupid for the first time in my life.

One morning, my husband wrote a verse on a large piece of paper and taped it to our bedroom wall. The verse was Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. Remember Him in everything you do and He will lead you down the right path.” That was my turning point. I realized it didn’t have anything to do with me. My fruits pertained to others! And I now know that every question or situation that arises in our lives has an answer in scripture. The Bible is unquestionably the Book of Life. The Word is truth!

In the Bible there are many references to “fruits.” My favorite is Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” These verses are actually the wallpaper on my computer screen. They are there as a constant reminder of the attributes I must display each and every day, how I should think, how I should react, how I should treat others and how I can be more like Jesus.

Heavenly Father,

I am honored to be chosen as a Disciple of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I live to praise, exalt and glorify You, Father God, every day of my life. And I am blessed to have been given Your gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell within me as my guide, my comforter and my teacher. My life is yours and I pray that You use me to bear much fruit according to Your perfect will.

Halleluiah and Amen.

Maryanne Winder-Lester 4/3/2010