Young People's Group

The Fruit of the Spirit

by Mitchell Tan
September 30, 2020

ASPECTS OF THE FRUIT OF SPIRIT

Walking in the light is well expressed in how saints bear the fruit of the Spirit. Fruit bearing is a good indicator of having a developed faith in the Lord Jesus. Paul challenged the Ephesians to live their lives in a most definite way. Walking as children of light will bring forth light in their lives.

“Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)”
Ephesians 5:8-9

When the Ephesians walk in the light, the Spirit of God will work in their lives. There will come forth the fruit of the Spirit in what they do and say. This was in total contrast to those having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). There were people who practised sins like covetousness, uncleanness, and deception through empty words. They had no light in them and were walking in darkness. The challenge for the brethren at the Church of Ephesus was to bear fruit that were characterised by goodness, righteousness, and truth.

1. GOODNESS TO BE EXPRESSED

Displaying goodness is about doing acts of kindness to people. Paul had written of how the Ephesians were created in Christ Jesus for good works. This was a work that the Spirit of God would do in them. One of the ways in which light shines is when they show forth kindness to people. It is out of a heart of love that the Ephesians were to be a blessing to others. With love, they will shine forth light in this dark world through doing good.

2. RIGHTEOUSNESS TO BE PRACTISED

Another aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is righteousness. When the Spirit of God works in hearts, there will be the desire to live righteously. As the Ephesians walk in the light, there will come forth uprightness of life. This is part of putting on the new man being created according to God in true righteousness and holiness. The Ephesians were to walk in newness of life, reflecting the image of God in righteous and holy living. To walk in the Spirit is to walk in righteousness. The Ephesians were meant to fellowship with each other in righteousness.

3. TRUTH AS A STRONG BASIS FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY

The fruit of Spirit would be clearly seen when what the Ephesians do and say were circumscribed by the truth of the word of God. Knowing truth was what would enable them to stand against falsehood and empty words. It is the foundational basis for life and ministry. The source of truth is the Spirit of God. It is the Spirit of truth who will guide the Ephesians into all truth. He will enlighten them to the truth of His word when they pray for it. With truth, they can walk in righteousness. With truth and righteousness in their lives, they can show forth genuine goodness to people.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

As we walk as sons of light, we can also bear the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit must fill our hearts and minds and souls so that what comes forth from our lives is light. Light from the truth of God’s word will cause us to live righteously. It will cause us to do good works. Let’s be challenged to walk righteously. Let’s be led by the Spirit to show forth light in a world of darkness through doing good towards others.

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