One fruit, many facets: choosing the aspect of the Spirit's fruit you lack

Paul speaks of “the fruit of the Spirit,” in the singular: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. It is not a menu from which to pick what we like, but a single fruit with many facets, which the Spirit ripens in us, like a bunch of grapes in which each grape is different. This quest invites you to reread Galatians 5:22-23, to spot the facet you lack most, and to ask God to make it ripen today.

What it looks like in your day

Reread the text slowly. Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Notice the singular: “the fruit.”

Take stock honestly. For each of the facets, assess yourself with kindness: where am I today? Where am I at ease? Where is it poorest? Think of the past weeks: which situation revealed a lack? A repeated impatience? A joy that has gone out? A harshness?

Choose a single facet. The one you need most right now. The others will follow.

Ask God to make it ripen. A fruit is not manufactured: it is received. “Lord, I lack patience with my children. Make this fruit ripen in me. I can't produce it by force.”

Prepare for an occasion. Think of a situation today where this facet will be called on: patience in the waiting line, gentleness in a message, joy despite a thankless task.

Notice and give thanks in the evening. Where did you see a bit of this fruit? Where did you miss it? Give thanks for growth, even tiny.

A fruit grows on a healthy tree, connected to its source. Your role is not to strain, but to stay attached to Jesus.

If you are short on time, choose the facet and say one sentence of request. If you are shy, this is entirely inner work. If you are discouraged by your lack, remember that God isn't finished.

What the Bible says

Here is the passage:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

“Against such there is no law”: the fruit is God's life in us, above any prohibition. Jesus says that the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but only if it abides in the vine:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

“He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit”: the secret is not effort, but communion. Without him, we can do nothing. Paul also prays that believers be filled with the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11).

Pitfalls to avoid

Trying to produce the fruit by willpower. If you tense up to be patient, you are not in the fruit: you are in effort. Ask, wait, stay attached.

Collecting facets. You don't have to progress on everything at once. One at a time.

Comparing yourself. Everyone has their strong and weak facets. Don't measure your patience by someone else's.

Condemning yourself for your lacks. Seeing your lacks is the first step of growth. Stay in grace.

Forgetting love. Love is the first facet, perhaps the root. If you hesitate over which to choose, ask God.

Today, reread Galatians 5:22-23. Choose the facet you lack, and ask God to make it ripen.