Galatians 2:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Are you looking for ways to GROW in the fruit of the Spirit? Growing in the traits of the fruit of the Spirit is essential to Growing in your walk with the Lord. Demonstrating these 9 traits will set us apart as Christians to hopefully draw those who are unbelievers to God and encourage believers to demonstrate Christ-like behaviors.  

I read a quote once in a book that said “When others see you, they should automatically think of the characteristics of the fruit of the spirit”. That impacted me so much. Even if they are not a Christian and have never heard of the fruits of the spirit, they should still think “she/he is loving, joyful, peaceful, has longsuffering, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self- controlled” after they encounter us.

We should always be conscious and aware of our words and actions. You may be the only Bible someone reads. You are constantly a walking testimony at all times. Be careful what you are advertising. Are you advertising love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and temperance?

Also, we are accountable to our actions, reactions, and responses by God. We will give an account to everything one day.

In this blog post, you will learn the 9 Fruit of the Spirit and ways to GROW in these 9 holy characteristics!

LOVE

Matthew 22:37 “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Love is the cornerstone for the fruit of the Spirit. If we do not have a Christ-like love for others, we will not be able to demonstrate sincere joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and temperance.

Jesus is the ultimate example of love in action. We can strive to emulate His selfless love by serving others, showing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in our interactions with those around us. 

There are countless verses in the Bible demonstrating and commanding us to love like Christ. John 15:12 states “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” This verse is so simple and straight to the point. Yet, can be so difficult to do. He commands us to continue in His love. A love that was demonstrated to Jesus by God, and a love that Jesus demonstrated to us. 

There are many examples of love in the scripture as well as many characters in the Bible who demonstrate love. However, I want to highlight three encounters of Jesus’ unconditional, fervent love for others. 

1. The Woman at the Well

To love like Christ can be very difficult with people who may be hard to love. Especially those who are openly living in sin. But Christ commands us to love everyone. We do not have to love the sin, but we are called to love the sinner. Jesus demonstrates this perfectly when he encounters the woman at the well. 

Jesus and his disciples were traveling through Samaria on their way to Galilee. As they were traveling, Jesus told his disciples to go into the city to buy food while he stopped at a well. While Jesus was at the well, a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink. The Samaritan woman was surprised that a Jewish man would speak to her, as Jews and Samaritans had differences in their ethnic and religious beliefs. Through conversation, Jesus takes the time to explain and reveal to her the everlasting water and spring of life is through Christ. The woman acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. She left her water jar and went into the city, telling the people about her encounter with Jesus. 

It should be noted that the Samaritan woman was known to have multiple marriages as well as an unethical living arrangement. She has openly lived in sin and continued to do so with her current living arrangement. On top of that, she was a Samaritan- a population that is known to not speak and engage with Jews. Still, Jesus chose her. It was not by coincidence that she happened to show up at the same well Jesus was at. He wanted to meet her there. He sought her because he loved her. He loved her with an unconditional love that looks beyond her past and instead looks at her as His child. 

If you would like to read this story fully, you can find it in John 4. 

2. The Woman who touched Jesus’ Hem

Jesus and His disciples were on their way to the home of Jairus, a synagogue leader, whose daughter was very ill and near death. While they were traveling on foot to the home, crowds began surrounding Jesus. The disciples did their best to keep the crowd off of Jesus. Many had heard about Him at this point and wanted to experience His power. As many were pushing against Him, He stopped and asked “Who touched me?”. As you can guess, the crowd and disciples were confused as so many people touched Him. However, he felt the ‘virtue’ leave Him once that specific person touched Him. 

A woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years was seeking to find healing. It can be assumed that she sought help from others for many years with no luck of being healed. 

In the culture of ancient Israel, there were strict purity laws outlined in the Mosaic Law found in the Old Testament. These laws dictated various aspects of ritual purity and cleanliness. Women who experienced menstruation or any other type of bleeding outside of menstruation were considered ritually unclean during that time. According to Levitical law, anyone who came into contact with such an individual, or anything they touched, would also become ritually unclean.

As a result, people who were bleeding, especially in the case of chronic bleeding, were often shunned and marginalized within their communities. They were considered impure and were typically excluded from participating in religious activities, entering sacred spaces like the temple, or interacting closely with others. This was not only due to concerns about ritual purity but also because of the fear of contamination and the belief that such conditions were potentially indicative of sin or divine judgment.

Thus, the woman who touched Jesus’s garment would likely have faced social isolation and exclusion from her community during those 12 years. 

When the woman reached out to touch Jesus’s garment in the midst of the crowd, she was taking a significant risk, both in terms of her physical condition and her social status. However, her desperation and faith in Jesus compelled her to seek healing from him, even if it meant defying social norms and risking further isolation.

However, Jesus demonstrated His love for her by not only healing her, but acknowledging her. He called her out from the crowd to make herself known to Him. She came “trembling, and falling down before Him”. But from that one touch, she had been healed immediately. 

Jesus tells her in Luke 8:48 “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Even though she was unclean from the standards of law, Jesus chose to act in love to heal her. 

If you would like to read more about this story, you can find it in Luke 8. 

3. The Cross

The ultimate example of Christ’s love is His sacrifice on the cross. The cross is not just 2 boards nailed together. It is a symbol of forgiveness, freedom, and everlasting love from Jesus. 

Jesus was brought to Earth as a newborn with one intention, to save the world from eternity in Hell. He came to understand the duty and weight of how He would save us; yet, He still chose that path. 

He who was the healer, the protector, the friend, the giver, the brother, the son, and lived a perfect, sinless life was not accepted among the people. Why? Why would they hate someone so harmless? Even though it is difficult to wrap our minds around the justification of why, we know that this is how it had to happen. 

Because we are full of sin and will always be full of sin, we had to have a perfect sacrifice. A gateway to the Father. That is only through Jesus. He knew how terrible and tortuous the journey to and on the cross would be. But He still accepted it for you and me. Because He loves us that much. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus, His only son. Through these sacrifices, Jesus is our redemption of sin, victory over death, and the perfect demonstration of unconditional love.  

He knew all my sin, all my downfalls, all my mishaps, all my doubts, EVERYTHING. His unconditional love was so strong that He said yes. 

You can read more about the story of Jesus and his unconditional love on the cross in Matthew 27.

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in LOVE through: 

• Immersing ourselves in God’s Word:
  • Regularly reading and meditating on the Scriptures helps us understand God’s unconditional love for us and His call for us to love one another. The Bible serves as a guidebook for how we should live out love in our daily lives.
• Prayer and communion with God:
  • Cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with God through prayer allows us to experience His love firsthand. Spending time in prayer enables us to align our hearts with God’s will and empowers us to love others as He loves us.
• Practicing empathy and understanding by choosing love in all circumstances:
  • Love involves empathizing with others, seeking to understand their perspectives, and walking alongside them in their struggles. By showing empathy and compassion, we create space for genuine connection and mutual support.
  • Love is a choice we make every day, regardless of our circumstances or feelings. We can choose to respond to others with patience, kindness, and grace, even in challenging situations.
• Forgiveness and reconciliation:
  • Love requires us to forgive those who have wronged us and seek reconciliation when relationships are strained. Letting go of bitterness and resentment allows love to flourish and promotes healing and restoration.

By intentionally cultivating love in our lives through these practices, we not only grow in our relationship with God but also become vessels of His love to the world around us, reflecting His character and glorifying Him in all we do.

JOY

John 15: 11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”

As Christians, we have to choose for joy to remain within us. We should have the desire to be full of joy. Jesus commands us to even have joy in tribulations! How is that possible?! ONLY through Jesus. Cultivating joy and nurturing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is essential for our spiritual growth and well-being.

There are many examples of joy in the Bible. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Paul and Silas in Prison

Paul and Silas were two of the earliest missionaries. They traveled to spread the Word of God to others. Like Jesus, they suffered persecution for being followers of God. They were beaten then thrown into prison. 

Although they would have every reason to complain and lose faith in God, they did not despair. Instead, they chose to pray and sing hymns to God. Their worship echoed through the prison, reaching the ears of the other prisoners.

Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, causing the doors to fly open and everyone’s chains to come loose. This led to the guard trusting in God and putting his faith in Him. 

If Paul and Silas would not have chosen joy, they may have not been freed. AND the guard may have never been saved. So, next time you are put in a position where you have to CHOOSE to have joy rather than when it comes naturally, remember the impact that could come from showing others that true joy comes from the Lord, not ever changing circumstances. 

You can read more about this story in Acts 16

2. The Prodigal Son’s Father

In Luke 15, we are given the story of the prodigal son. A man was the father of two sons. The younger son asked his father for his inheritance (this was considered highly disrespectful in Jewish culture since his father was not dead). However, the father gave his son what he requested. The younger son left to travel to a different city where he squandered his wealth in reckless living. He lived extravagantly, indulging in pleasures and luxuries, until he had spent all his money.

Soon, a severe famine struck the land, and the young man found himself in desperate need. With no means to sustain himself, the young man took a job feeding pigs—a humiliating task for a Jewish person, as pigs were considered unclean animals according to Jewish law. He was so hungry that he longed to eat the slop the pigs were eating.

He finally decided to return home repentant and willing to admit his wrongdoing. As the young man journeyed home, his father saw him from a distance and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. The son began to recite his prepared speech, but before he could finish, his father interrupted him and ordered his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and sandals for his son. He also instructed them to prepare a feast to celebrate his son’s return, declaring in Luke 15: 24 “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

The father demonstrated joy and forgiveness upon the return of his wayward son. Despite the son squandering his inheritance and living a life of excess, the father rejoices at his return. He could have chosen to be cold and unwelcoming. But instead he chose to be joyful and thankful for what God provided. 

3. Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving

Hannah was a barren wife to Elkanah. She was one of his two wives. The other wife was able to bear children and would often mock Hannah for the source of great anguish and shame that was placed in ancient Israelite society when a woman is barren. After many prayers and earnestly giving her desires to God, she conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. Samuel’s name means “heard by God,” reflecting Hannah’s prayer being answered by God.

She dedicated him to the Lord’s service for his entire life. Hannah praised God with a prayer of thanksgiving, known as “Hannah’s Song,” which is recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. In her song, Hannah exalts God’s sovereignty, power, and faithfulness, rejoicing in His provision and deliverance. She sang with joy! What beautiful and joyful noise I am sure she made while praising the Lord! Even after she got what she desperately desired, she remembered to praise God and be joyful for Him.

As Christians, we have to choose for joy to remain within us. We should have the desire to be full of joy. Jesus commands us to even have joy in tribulations! How is that possible?! ONLY through Jesus. Cultivating joy and nurturing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is essential for our spiritual growth and well-being.

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in JOY through: 

• Practice Gratitude:
  • Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by intentionally counting your blessings and expressing thankfulness to God. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a sense of contentment and joy.
• Pray for and Choose Joy Daily:
  • Joy is a choice we make each day, regardless of our circumstances. Decide to rejoice in the Lord always, as the apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:4. Cultivate a mindset of positivity and optimism, seeking joy in every situation.
  • pray earnestly for God to fill you with His joy, knowing that it is a fruit of the Spirit that He desires to cultivate within you. Ask the Holy Spirit to produce His joy in your heart and to help you grow in joyfulness each day.
• Spend Time in Worship:
  • Engage in heartfelt worship and praise as a means of drawing near to God and experiencing His presence. Worship lifts our spirits, fills us with joy, and helps us connect with the source of all joy—God 
• Rejoice in Trials:
  • Counterintuitive as it may seem, we can find joy even in the midst of trials and difficulties. James 1:2-4 reminds us to consider it pure joy when we face various trials, knowing that they produce perseverance, character, and hope.

By intentionally implementing these practices into our lives, we can experience a deep and abiding joy that comes from knowing and walking closely with our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we grow in joy, we reflect the character of our heavenly Father and become beacons of light and hope to the world around us.

PEACE

Phillipians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”

There is a peace that you will only know if you have a personal relationship with God. When storms arise, how is it possible to find peace? Having peace, even in hard times, is the ultimate testimony of a strong walk with God. To unbelievers, it should be impossible. But to Christians, we know that this type of peace that passes all understanding, is through Christ Jesus.

There are numerous examples in the Bible of peace, but here are some of my favorites:

1. Job

As a Christian, we have never been promised an easy life. God will protect us from evil, but we are told that we will be faced with many storms. We are tempted during these storms to doubt, lose faith, and have no peace. One example that many know of a Bible character that went through a very hard trial was Job. Job was a wealthy and righteous man who lived in the land of Uz. He had a large family, great wealth, and was highly respected in his community. However, Job’s faith and integrity were severely tested when Satan challenged God, suggesting that Job’s righteousness was only due to his prosperity and blessings.

In response to Satan’s challenge, God allowed Satan to afflict Job, but with the stipulation that he couldn’t harm Job himself. Tragically, Job experienced a series of devastating losses in quick succession of his family, livestock, health, etc. This is a time where one would think it is impossible to find peace in God. Rather, many would blame Him and question Him. And although Job did do some of that, he finally humbly submitted to God’s wisdom and acknowledged his own limitations. He repented of his questioning and received God’s blessing, with God restoring to him twice as much as he had before. Job demonstrated true peace in knowing the power of the Father. 

2. David

David was the king of Israel. Even though he went through a lot of trials, he continued to demonstrate a heart full of peace with God. This is most evident in his Psalm 23.

This is a very well known Psalm that paints the perfect picture of peace from God:

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

David expresses his trust in God as his shepherd to find eternal peace. As a former shepherd himself, David understood the tender care and provision that a shepherd provides for his sheep. He likened God to a shepherd who leads, guides, and protects his people. describes the rest and refreshment that God provides for his soul, likening it to a sheep resting in lush green pastures and drinking from calm, tranquil waters. God leads His people to places of peace and nourishment, where they can find rest for their weary souls. 

I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful to serve a Father who brings me such restful and calming peace like no other. 

3. Jesus

We have all been faced with storms that seem so much bigger than we can handle. As close as we think we are to God, there are still times when our peace is shaken. This happened with the disciples as they were on the boat with Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus was asleep, the disciples lost all peace and became very concerned about their safety in the boat against the storm. The wind whipped up waves that crashed against the boat, threatening to capsize it. The disciples, many of whom were experienced fishermen accustomed to the sea, became terrified as the boat was tossed by the waves, and water began to fill it. The disciples woke Jesus up in hopes He could protect them. Jesus called out to the sea “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). The verse continues to say “and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm”. Jesus questions the disciples’ faith in Him. The disciples were in awe. Mark 4:40 states that the men “said one to another, what manner of man if this, that even the wind and sea obey him?”. Wow, what a mighty, peaceful God we serve! He demands the ocean to be at peace, and it obeys. Let this story be a reminder to you that He promises to be with us in the midst of our own trials and challenges, bringing peace and calm in the midst of life’s storms.

You can read more about this story in Mark 4.

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in PEACE through: 

• Seek God’s Presence:
  • Spend time in prayer, meditation, and quiet reflection to draw near to God and experience His peace. Psalm 46:10 encourages us to “be still, and know that I am God.” In His presence, we find peace that surpasses understanding.
• Trust in God’s Sovereignty:
  • Surrender your worries, anxieties, and fears to God, trusting in His sovereignty and care. Philippians 4:6-7 assures us that when we present our requests to God with thanksgiving, His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
• Focus on the Eternal:
  • Keep an eternal perspective by fixing your eyes on Jesus and the hope of salvation. Romans 15:13 reminds us that God is the source of hope and peace, and as we trust in Him, we will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Guard Your Thoughts:
  • Be intentional about what you allow into your mind and heart. Philippians 4:8 advises us to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Cultivating a positive and God-centered mindset contributes to inner peace.

By intentionally incorporating these practices into our lives and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in peace and reflect the character of Christ to the world around us. As we experience God’s peace, we become agents of peace, sharing His love and tranquility with others in a world longing for true peace.

LONGSUFFERING

Galatians 6: 9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Longsuffering can also be described as endurance. The will to keep going. This can be so hard to find sometimes. Especially when you feel like the rain never stops. As Christians we are commanded to have endurance and longsuffering because there is a light at the end. We win!

There are many stories in the Bible demonstrating longsuffering. Here are some of my favorites:

Being gentle is demonstrating self control and discipline. Gentleness is tested in moments when we do not want to be gentle but harsh and brash. Like stated above, Christians are watched very closely from the world. They are waiting to see how we react to situations. Will we act in a Christ like manner of gentleness or in a worldly manner of biting and harshness?

There are many examples of gentleness in the Bible but here are some of my favorites:

1. Moses

Moses was called to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. Although he was in the position of leadership and authority, he continuously demonstrated humility and gentleness. In Numbers, it says that he was the most humble man on Earth. There were many times where the children of Israel disobeyed Moses and God. They veered from the path that was set before them by God and chose to act in sin. However, Moses continuously served them as their leader in a gentle way. He was patient, humble, and obedient to God. Scripture reveals his disappointment to the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness, but he interceded for them before God every time. He showed compassion even when they grumbled and rebelled. 

You can read more about this story in the book of Exodus.

2. David

When you think of David, the first story you probably are familiar with is the story of David and Goliath. Saul was the king during David’s victory over Goliath. He welcomed David into his service with praise for his defeat over the Philistine giant. David began to become popular and his success continued to grow. This created feelings of jealousy and insecurity from Saul causing David to pose as a threat to his position. 

David was aware of these feelings Saul was demonstrating. However, he continued to stay faithful to his king. Through Saul’s reign, he treated David poorly and acted out due to the feelings of jealousy. David never retaliated. Instead, he chose to honor God’s authority and demonstrate humility and gentleness.

One particularly pivotal moment in David and Saul’s relationship was when Saul was pursuing to kill David in the wilderness. David was running from him when they took refuge in a cave. Without knowing, Saul entered the cave to relieve himself. Although David could have easily taken victory over Saul in that moment, he instead chose gentleness. He cut off a corner of Saul’s robe to show evidence of his proximity to Saul without causing harm to him. 

Even though he had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, David refused. He chose gentleness towards the Lord’s anointed. David showed Saul the cut off corner of the robe showing him proof of how he could have killed him but instead chose not to. David acknowledged his role as God’s chosen king and expressed his desire for reconciliation and peace. 

You can read more about this story in 1 Samuel 24, 26.

3. Jesus

Jesus is the ultimate example of gentleness. You will find all throughout scripture (old and new testament) of God’s continuous choice of gentleness over wrath. Even though we and the people in Biblical times were constantly disobeying, backsliding, and pitting against Him, He still chooses to display gentleness to us. We deserve Hell, not Heaven. We deserve bondage, not freedom. We deserve shame, not love. We deserve wrath, not grace. Yet, God still provides His gentleness to everyone each day. 

His mercies are new every morning. Mercy is NOT getting what we deserve. Grace is receiving what we DO NOT deserve. Gentleness is demonstrated through mercy by us not going to Hell even though we deserve this through our sins. Gentleness is demonstrated through grace with the Lord’s eternal salvation even though we deserve Hell. 

Jesus demonstrates gentleness in many instances in the Bible in addition to His sacrifice on the cross. For example, He demonstrated gentleness with the woman who committed adultery in John 8. Instead of condemning her and giving her what she deserved in the eyes and terms of the Pharisees, Jesus demonstrated gentleness and compassion instead. This gentle response led to the dispersal of the accusers without condemning the woman.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed compassion and tenderness toward the marginalized, the sick, and the sinners.

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in GENTLENESS through:

• Model Christ’s Example:
  • Look to Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of gentleness. Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated gentleness in His interactions with others, showing compassion, kindness, and humility. Strive to emulate His example in your own life.
• Practice Empathy and Compassion:
  • Seek to understand the feelings and perspectives of others, especially in times of conflict or disagreement. Cultivate empathy by putting yourself in the shoes of others and considering their experiences and emotions.
• Control Your Words:
  • Use gentle and gracious words when communicating with others. Avoid harsh language, criticism, or sarcasm, and instead speak with kindness, compassion, and respect. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

By intentionally practicing these principles and relying on the work of the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate gentleness in our lives and reflect the love, compassion, and humility of Christ to those around us. As we grow in gentleness, we become instruments of God’s grace and agents of His peace in a world longing for kindness and compassion.

GOODNESS

Psalm 31: 19 “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!”

Being a ‘good person’ is different among many different standards. The definition changes depending on who you ask. To the world, you may be a ‘good person’ based on morals that are very different from the Bible. We are not to compare our good works to those around us, but only to Christ. If it is not considered “good” in Christ’s standards, it is not to be practiced. As one of the fruit of the Spirit, we are called to demonstrate goodness consistently as Jesus continuously displays. 

There are many examples of goodness in the Bible. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Esther

In the ancient Persian Empire, King Ahasuerus and his queen Vashti ruled the land. King Ahasuerus ordered his wife to come dance before him and guests at a dinner party. When she refused, he removed her as queen. A search was conducted throughout the empire for a new queen. Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, was chosen for her exceptional beauty and character. She concealed her Jewish heritage and identity as she entered the title of queen. While on the throne as queen, Esther’s cousin Mordecai uncovered a plot that was designed for the king to be assassinated. Esther relayed the information to the king, thus saving his life. However, Mordecai was not rewarded for his deed. 

Haman, an official in the king’s court, had a deep hatred for Mordecai. This was due to Mordecia’s refusal to bow down to him and pledge his allegiance to God. Haman then plotted to exterminate all the Jews throughout the empire. This would include all of Esther’s family. Esther was made aware of the situation and was advised by Mordecai to intercede with the king on behalf of her people, despite the risk to her own life. Esther could have ignored the situation and remained comfortable in her position as the queen. Instead, she demonstrated godly goodness by displaying immense courage and faith to approach the king. She invited the king and Haman to a series of banquets where she revealed her Jewish identity and pleaded for her people’s lives. The king ordered Haman’s execution on the very gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai. The Jews were allowed to defend themselves against their enemies on the appointed day of slaughter saving them from destruction. Esther’s goodness, courage, and faithfulness to her people played a pivotal role in their deliverance. 

You can read more about this story in the book of Esther.

2. The Good Samaritan

Although this is a parable and we do not have the actual name of the character, we can still learn about the characteristics of goodness from the Good Samaritan!

The parable was spoken by Jesus as a response to one’s question of “who is my neighbor” following Jesus quoting the greatest commandment in Luke 10:27 “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself”. Jesus answered the question with a parable. The parable included a Jewish man who was traveling to Jericho and was mugged by robbers. The robbers beat him and left him on the side of the road. A priest passed by the man but intentionally went to the other side of the road to avoid the man. A Levite then came and also passed on the other side of the road away from the man. 

Lastly, a Samaritan, who was despised by the Jews (read more about this above with the woman at the well), came upon the injured man. The Samaritan helped the man by bandaging and pouring oil and wine on his wounds. He then put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The Samaritan also gave money to the innkeeper, with instructions to  look after the man, promising to repay any additional expenses upon his return. Remember, out of all the three men, the Samaritan would most likely be the least of the three to do the good deed to the Jew due to their disbeliefs. Jesus asked the man to identify which of the three proved to be a neighbor to the man with command to “Go, and do thou likewise” Luke 10:37. 

You can read more about this story in Luke 10:25-37

3. Jesus

It is proven many times in the Bible how Jesus was the perfect man. He was full of goodness and kindness for others. He continuously (and still does today!) healed the sick and afflicted, forgave sins, demonstrated compassion to the marginalized, and served others. Even though He was very busy with the mission of spreading the word, teaching His disciples, and preparing Himself and others for what was to come, He still took the time to heal those in need. 

In Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, and Luke 5:12-16 Jesus healed a man with leprosy by touching him. Lepers were shunned and not to be touched as they would spread the disease, but Jesus demonstrated His power, goodness, and acceptance by touching the man to heal him. 

In Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 Jesus noticed a Roman centurion’s (Romans at the time hated Jesus and wanted Him crucified) faith in His ability. The centurion had a servant who was paralyzed. Jesus demonstrated His power and goodness by healing the paralyzed servant from a distance.  healed a paralyzed servant of a Roman centurion from a distance, marveling at the centurion’s faith.

In Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, and Luke 4:38-39 Peter revealed his mother- in- law was sick of a fever. Jesus demonstrated His power, goodness, and compassion for our worries and healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. She immediately recovered and served them.

In Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:17-26 Jesus was preaching to a large crowd that huddled around the house Jesus was preaching in. There was no room for anyone else to join. However, there was a paralyzed man who demonstrated great faith and belief in Jesus’s power of healing by being lowered through the roof by his friends. Jesus demonstrated His power and authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic man. 

In Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, and Luke 18:35-43 Bartimaeus (a blind man) was rebuked by his crowd. Bartimaeus called out to Jesus for mercy. Jesus demonstrated His power, goodness, and mercy by restoring his sight. 

In Mark 1:21-28 and Luke 4:31-37 a demon possessed man was in a synagogue. Jesus cast out the unclean spirit from him healing him from demonic forces. Jesus demonstrated His power, goodness, and dominion over evil forces.

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in GOODNESS through:

• Practice Virtuous Living:
  •  Strive to live a life of integrity, honesty, and moral uprightness. Act with integrity in all your dealings, and let your actions align with God’s values.
• Practice Generosity:
  • Cultivate a spirit of generosity and giving, sharing your resources with those in need. Whether it’s giving financially, sharing your time and talents, or offering a listening ear, be generous in your actions towards others.
• Seek Justice and Righteousness:
  • Stand up for what is Biblically right and just to advocate for the Word in your interactions. Be a voice for God and work towards positive change in your community and beyond.

By intentionally practicing these principles and relying on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate goodness in our lives and reflect the character of Christ to those around us. As we grow in goodness, we become beacons of light and agents of positive change in a world longing for goodness and righteousness.

FAITH

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Wow, what an impactful verse. Our goal should be to please Him. What pleases God should please us. So if faith pleases Him, we have to have faith.

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 gives the definition as “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. It is the pillar of salvation. It is believing in what we cannot see- believing in God although we have never physically seen Him, believing in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection even though we were not there to see it, believing in Heaven and what God has prepared for us even though we have not experienced it, and it is believing in the Lord’s goodness and perfect plan even though we do not know how it is going to play out.

The last point is the hardest one for me. It can be so scary to have faith in a situation that you have no control over. But isn’t that also very comforting? Knowing that God is taking care of it all for me brings reassurance of His love.

There are many examples of faith in the Bible. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Daniel

Daniel was a Jewish captive to Babylon but rose to a position of prominence in the Babylonian empire due to his wisdom and integrity. However, he was faced with a test of his faith when King Darius forbade praying to any god or man except the king himself for a period of thirty days. The penalty had severe consequences including being thrown in a den of lions. However, Daniel continued to pray to God faithfully three times a day, just as he had done before. His commitment to prayer and devotion to God took precedence over fear of punishment or the pressures of the world around him. Daniel was turned in, by the king’s advisors, for praying and he was thrown in the lion’s den. 

I am sure you can guess how stressed Daniel could have been in this situation. He had no idea what the outcome would be. But he chose to have faith in God to deliver Him. And He did! God intervened miraculously and Daniel emerged unharmed the next morning. King Darius was so amazed at the power of God, that he issued a decree praising the God of Daniel as the living God and declared that all people in his kingdom should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, who reigns forever. Just think, if Daniel would have conformed to the pressure of King Darius and not demonstrated faith through continuing to pray, he would have never received the opportunity to be an everlasting testimony of faith! AND King Darius may have never experienced the Lord’s power. 

You can read more about this story in Daniel 6. 

2. Peter

If you do not know the story of Peter walking on water to Jesus, just know that my summary will never do it justice. But here is a quick overview- please read the story in its entirety in Matthew 14. 

Peter and the other disciples were on a boat in the Sea of Galilee during a fierce storm. Jesus was not with them on the ship as He ordered them to go on before Him. In fact, while the disciples were on the ship during the storm, Jesus was on a mountain praying, alone. Let’s just stop there and dwell on how much peace that brings! When the disciples were in a very fearful situation of a storm, Jesus was praying. I love our God!! 

The ship was tossed with waves and wind. Even though some of the disciples were competent fishermen, they were all very frightened. In the midst of the storm, Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water. The disciples continued in fear as they thought Jesus was a ghost. Jesus reassured them and said “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Peter, displaying a mixture of faith and doubt, responded by asking Jesus to give him the power to also walk on the water. Jesus, comforting his doubt and testing his faith commanded Peter to “Come” (Matthew 14: 29). Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water towards Jesus. However, Peter took his eyes off of the Lord (literally and metaphorically) and instead attended back to the storm causing fear to surface, again. This caused Peter to sink in the water and cry out for Jesus to save him. Of course, Jesus was right there to catch him. Jesus said to Peter “Oh thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Together, they walked back to the boat, and  as soon as they climbed in, the wind ceased, and the storm calmed. Although Peter did demonstrate a moment of doubt, his faith is what made him even consider stepping out of the boat. We are all human, and we will all have moments of doubt. But we cannot allow ourselves to be swallowed by the waves when we do have those moments. We have to be conditioned to immediately find Jesus again and fix our eyes on Him to step out of the boat with faith.  

3. Jesus

There are many accounts in scripture of Jesus demonstrating faith in God. One of the most impactful events is His faith in the resurrection. This is what salvation and Christianity hinges on. Life over death for Jesus is the reason death has no victory over us today! 

Jesus knew the day of His crucifixion was coming. He had great faith in The Father that this act must be completed for the sake of the world. Beyond the sacrifice on the cross, Jesus demonstrated a deep trust and unwavering belief in what God planned to do. Even though Jesus suffered so much turmoil and pain for us, He had faith in God in what would happen next. Although we see the resurrection following His betrayal, crucifixion, and burial to be a miracle, to Jesus it was a testament of His faith in God’s purpose to be the ultimate victory over sin and death. To His disciples, mother, and others watching the crucifixion, there was no hope. But to Jesus, this was an act of love to complete this crucial event to save the world. Through his resurrection three days laster, Jesus not only conquered death but also exemplified the limitless power of faith and the transformative grace of God’s love for humanity.

You can read more about this in Mark 15.

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in FAITH through: 

• Studying God’s Word, prayer, and communion:
  • Regularly immerse yourself in Scripture to deepen your understanding of God’s character, promises, and teachings. Allow the Word of God to shape your beliefs and worldview, building a strong foundation of faith.
  • Develop a consistent prayer life to communicate with God and strengthen your relationship with Him. Spend time in prayer, both speaking and listening to God, and trust Him to guide you in your journey of faith.
• Stepping Out of Comfort Zones through cultivating trust and surrender:
  • Take steps of faith by stepping out of the boat, aka your comfort zone, and trust God to lead you. This may involve taking on new challenges, serving others, or sharing your faith with others. Stepping out of the boat requires you to surrender to God’s will in all areas of your life. Trust that God has a plan and purpose for your life, even when circumstances may seem uncertain or challenging.
• Relying on the Holy Spirit:
  • Ultimately, rely on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to deepen your faith and transform your heart. Allow the Spirit to work in and through you, producing the fruit of faith and empowering you to live a life that honors God.

By intentionally practicing these principles and relying on the work of the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate a vibrant and growing faith that bears witness to the transforming power of God in our lives. As we grow in faith, we become bold and confident ambassadors of Christ, shining His light in a world in need of hope and salvation.

MEEKNESS

Psalm 37: “But the meek shall inherit the eart; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

​​Meekness does not equal weakness. In fact, meekness demonstrates a very strong, self disciplined character that is Christ like. Strength under control is what God wants us to have to demonstrate a balance of godly position and disposition.

Meekness is also characterized and created with humility, gentleness, and a submissive spirit towards God. 

There are many examples in the Bible for meekness. Here are some of my favorites: 

1. Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Mary is the mother of Jesus. She is an example of a meek, virtuous woman from the Bible. She continuously demonstrated humble submission from the first mention of her in the Bible. She meekly surrendered to the Lord’s will when the angel Gabriel appeared to her announcing that she would conceive and give birth to the Messiah. Although we know she was shocked and confused based off of the question she asked the angel; however, she still responded in the most exemplified form of meekness. Scripture tells us that Mary says to the angel, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Wow. What a courageous, submissive, and meek woman. She humbly  accepts God’s plan for her life, despite the extraordinary and unexpected circumstances.

Mary continued to demonstrate meekness and submission in her journey as Jesus’s mother as she also had to accept His challenges. From the humble circumstances of bringing Jesus into the world in a manger to the events leading up to his crucifixion, Mary remained steadfast in her faith and trust in God’s provision.

Her willingness to embrace God’s will with humility and grace serves as an inspiring example for believers of all generations.

You can read more of this story in Luke 1.

2. Paul

Paul provides an example of how an unbeliever can transform in his meekness and submission to the Lord in a way that can only be converted through Christ. Before he was committed to following God, he was a zealous persecutor of Christians. However, he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus and the revelation of Jesus as the risen Lord changed his life forever. He went from being the fierce opponent of Christianity to becoming one of the most passionate evangelists. A complete transformation of heart occurred through Jesus causing him to leave the old man and become new. His ministry was then characterized by meekness and humility through true dependency on Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul recounts how he was given a “thorn in the flesh,” a persistent affliction or hardship that humbled him and reminded him of his dependence on God’s grace. Through this passage, Paul reveals how reliant he is on God’s grace to strengthen his weaknesses and proclaim God. He also demonstrated prioritizing the needs and concerns of others above his own. Just like the persecution he ordered for Christians before his conversion, he endured hardships and suffering for the sake of spreading the gospel and building up the church to reflect the character of Christ.

We too can experience the transformative power of God’s grace and become vessels of His love and truth.

You can read more about Paul’s journey in 1 Corinthians 15.

3. Jesus

Jesus demonstrates meekness consistently throughout the Bible. One of my favorite stories that truly captures the Lord’s character of meekness, is Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. This story illustrates Jesus’ meekness and servant-hearted leadership.

Jesus ordered His disciples to ready the upper room for the Passover meal. Jesus knew in this moment that His hour had come to bear the cross and return to the Father. Instead of taking the time for Himself to enjoy His last moments on Earth before going through the horror of crucifixion, He rose from the table, took off His outer garment, and wrapped a towel around His waist, assuming the posture of a servant. Jesus began to wash His disciples’ feet. This is a task typically performed by the lowliest of servants. This act of foot-washing was not merely a physical cleansing but a profound symbol of humility, love, and servanthood. And Jesus did it so willingly with meekness. 

Peter was taken back which reflects his deep reverence for Jesus and his understanding of Jesus’ exalted position as the Messiah and Lord. Jesus explained to Peter “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (John 13:7). Jesus’ act of foot-washing symbolized His mission to serve and sacrifice for humanity, ultimately demonstrating the depth of His love and humility.

He then explained to His disciples to follow His example of humble service and love towards one another. 

By humbly serving His disciples in this manner, Jesus embodied the essence of meekness—strength under control, humility, and sacrificial love. 

As followers of Christ, we are to follow after Jesus’ actions to serve with meekness and servanthood. 

You can read more about this story in John 13. 

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in MEEKNESS through: 

• Model Christ’s Example and Ask for Meekness:
  • Look to Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of meekness. He demonstrated meekness in His interactions with others, showing humility and gentleness while also displaying strength and courage. Meekness has to be practiced. It is not something we can develop immediately. It is like a muscle that has to be strengthened. Pray to God to help you be meek and sensitive to times when you are not. 
• Practice Humility:
  • Cultivate humility by recognizing your own limitations, weaknesses, and need for God’s grace. Avoid pride and arrogance, and instead, adopt a posture of humility before God and others.
• Speak with Gentleness:
  • Use gentle and gracious words when communicating with others. Avoid harsh language, criticism, or sarcasm, and instead, speak with kindness, compassion, and respect.

By intentionally practicing these principles and relying on the work of the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate meekness in our lives and reflect the character of Christ to those around us. As we grow in meekness, we become instruments of God’s peace and agents of His love in a world in need of humility and gentleness.

TEMPERANCE

Titus 2:1-2 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

Temperance can be one of the most difficult fruit of the Spirit to cultivate. It requires the ability to control one’s desires, impulses, and actions, particularly in areas of temptation or excess. One might automatically assume temperance only applies to lust of the flesh with physical affection (and it certainly applies to this), but temperance also applies to controlling our words when we are angry, our actions seeking revenge, our priorities in times of relaxation, our thoughts in times of doubt and sadness, etc. It is learning to have self- control over the things that could control us negatively. 

There are many examples of temperance in the Bible. Here are some of my favorites: 

1. Joseph

Joseph’s story is full of examples of him demonstrating temperance. Joseph was his father’s beloved child which made his brothers very jealous (see above in “longsuffering” for more in depth information on this story). As a result, Joseph endured many years of hardship and injustice due to his brothers selling him into slavery. He was released from prison and granted a position of leadership in Egypt due to his gifts from God of interpreting dreams. He was reunited with his brothers as they came to Egypt for food since there was a famine in their land. They had to go to Joseph to ask for this. They did not recognize Joseph but he recognized them. Although he had the perfect opportunity to seek revenge on them for the many years of turmoil they caused, he chose temperance. He instead demonstrated self- control and love by giving them money and resources. His refusal to give in to temptation showed his self-control and moral integrity.

You can read more about this story in Genesis 43-50. 

2. David

David was the man after God’s own heart. Since all of the fruit of the spirit is characteristics of God, of course David would demonstrate some form of temperance. Now I know many are probably thinking that he did the opposite of temperance with Bathsheba… and you are not wrong! But he did demonstrate great temperance and self control with Saul, the first king of Israel. We talked about this story above in the “gentleness” section. But here is a quick refresher 🙂 

David won the battle against Goliath while Saul was king. David began receiving a lot of attention and praise for his victory. This attention made Saul very jealous causing him to attempt to kill David. Although David had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul in the cave, David demonstrated temperance and controlled his fleshly desires. He instead cut off a piece of Saul’s robe and showed it to him to have proof of how close in proximity he was to him. This was David’s way of waving the flag of peace. Instead of continuing the battle, he displayed God’s characteristic of temperance and self- control by acting in peace and love to Saul.  

You can read more of this story in 1 Samuel 18. 

2. Jesus

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, Jesus is the ultimate example of every fruit of the spirit! That is because He is the fruit of the spirit. All of these characteristics are guidelines to becoming more like Christ. 

Jesus demonstrated temperance MANY times in the Bible. You may be familiar with the story of satan attempting to tempt Jesus. While Jesus was alone, fasting in the wilderness, satan saw the opportunity to try to tempt Jesus into complying with satan. Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, jump from the temple, and bow down to worship him. Satan sought to exploit Jesus’ human vulnerabilities and desires. However, Jesus responded with unwavering faith, reliance on Scripture, and obedience to God’s will, demonstrating his victory over temptation and his commitment to fulfill his mission as the Messiah.

You can read more of this story in Matthew 4. 

The best display of Jesus’s temperance was on the cross. Many knew Jesus as the powerful healer. The One who has the power to make the deaf hear, lame walk, blind to see, dead to rise, to walk on water, heal the sick and lost, and so much more, also had the power to control his power to accept every beating, every whip, every hair plucked out, every cursing yelled out, every betrayal- for you and me. He chose this. He could have called thousands of angles to free him from the cross. But he continued to go through the crucifixion to be our perfect sacrifice. If it was not for his self control and temperance, we would not have salvation today. Thank you Jesus for your temperance!

You can read more of this story in Mark 15. 

From these events that took place in the Bible, we can GROW in TEMPERANCE through: 

• Identify Areas of Weakness and Pray:
  • Take time to identify areas of your life where you struggle with self-control. This could include areas such as food, finances, relationships, or time management.
  • Turn to God in prayer for strength, guidance, and wisdom in moments of temptation or struggle. Ask for His help in exercising self-control and resisting temptation, knowing that He is faithful to provide the strength we need.
• Avoid Triggers:
  • Identify and avoid triggers that lead to temptation or loss of self-control. This may involve avoiding certain environments, situations, or individuals that contribute to unhealthy behaviors or habits.
• Set Clear Boundaries and Seek Accountability:
  • Establish clear boundaries and guidelines for yourself in areas where you need to exercise self-control. Determine what behaviors or habits are acceptable and what boundaries you need to set to avoid temptation or excess.
  • Surround yourself with supportive individuals who can hold you accountable in your journey towards temperance. Share your goals and struggles with trusted friends, family members, or mentors who can provide encouragement and support.

By intentionally practicing these principles and relying on the work of the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate temperance in our lives and reflect the character of Christ to those around us. As we grow in self-control, we become better equipped to navigate life’s challenges and live in accordance with God’s will for our lives.

Cultivating fruit that obtains the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit will bring glory and honor to our Father. Remember, when someone interacts with you, it should be your goal for them to think “She/ he is full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance”.  I pray that you will benefit from this resource to GROW in your fruit of the spirit to live a life that is fulfilling for Christ!