We need to develop the fruit of the Spirit to bless others. A tree is never benefited by its own fruit. Seeds help the tree to multiply, so also the fruit in our life can attract people into the kingdom.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) will help us use the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:7) more effectively. If we lack the fruit of the Spirit, then we will not be able to handle the gifts/success, or influence that comes through gifts, just as Lucifer (Satan) could not use the gifts given to him by God in the right way.
Love - this is Agape or unconditional love. It's about letting God love through you. This is a choice of the will and not based on emotion or feeling. We need to ask God to pour out his agape love in our hearts to love the unlovely and to love our enemies.
Joy - This is the emotion of the Holy Spirit in our human spirit. This is what brings you strength and is not based on circumstances or happenings. God's word restores joy by showing us our mistakes and revealing the enemy's plan to steal our joy.
Peace - God is the God of all hope who fills us with peace Romans 15:13. Peace diffuses anxiety and clears our mind to make good decisions.
Patience - Quality of self restraint in the face of provocation. It is the ability to wait on the Lord, and be slow to anger. Through faith and patience we can inherit the promises of God.
Kindness – This fruit is about being benevolent. God stooped down to help us. We need to help those around us. This means helping someone is not as "well placed" as you are, spending time and talking to them, doing acts of kindness in secret both in deeds and words. We must ask God to write his law of kindness on our heart so that we speak words of kindness.
Goodness – God is a good God, and he expects us to be good. Be excellence at the workplace and at home. It brings glory to God.
Gentleness – the virtue of being considerate, thoughtful, and mindful of others' feelings. Gentleness makes you appealing and attractive to those around you.
Faithfulness – Many people have faith but are not faithful. Faithfulness is consistency and diligence. Proverbs 12:24 Diligent hands will rule. Faithfulness is a good quality for a potential leader.
Make a list of all the fruit that you have been developing in your life, also observe where you need to grow, so that God can entrust you with his spiritual gifts. Only the Holy Spirit can help us develop these gifts if we let him "prune" us using cirucumstances and difficult people. Let us ask Him for His help!
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