The Nine-Flavored Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23

A sermon series by Pastor Steve Hofmaier

  1. Love: Christian Love is that disposition of heart and will which seeks the highest good of its object, even at cost to self.
  2. Joy: Christian Joy is that settled state of inner well-being that comes from knowing the saving grace of God in Christ, that no matter what your present circumstances, you are thankful and joyful, knowing that it is well with your soul.
  3. Peace: Christian peace is that harmonious relationship with God wherein the enmity due to sin is taken away and replaced with harmony and love, resulting in a deliverance from inner anxiety and turmoil, and giving the foundation for good relations with our fellow believers and all men.
  4. Patience: Christian patience is that grace that enables the believer to endure trying circumstances including sufferings, trials, and persecutions; as well as to endure with love and forgiveness the injuries suffered even at the hands of fellow believers.
  5. Kindness: Christian kindness is that grace that enables the believer to do good to others in any way without expecting repayment, even to those who are ill deserving of the good we do.
  6. Goodness: Christian goodness is that grace of Spirit-created moral and spiritual excellence of every description, especially measured against the standard of God's moral law, which produces in the life good works.
  7. Faithfulness: Christian faithfulness is that grace of Spirit-created excellence whereby the Christian is trustworthy and faithful to his commitments to God and men.
  8. Gentleness: Christian gentleness is that grace of Spirit-created excellence whereby the Christian is humbly submissive to his heavenly Father's will, and deals graciously with his fellow sinners.
  9. Self-control: Christian self-control is that grace of Spirit-created excellence whereby the Christian is enabled to resist his sinful desires and lusts, and keep his emotions and actions in control according to the will of God revealed in his word.

Note: some phrases in these definitions are no doubt borrowed from authors I have read in preparation of these messages and preachers whom I have heard over the last fifty years. Credit is hereby given to these many others. But any fault in these statements may be assigned solely to myself.