A Bowl of Spiritual Fruit

by Jeanne Dininni
 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”   Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)


Many of us women enjoy displaying an attractively assembled bowl or basket of fresh fruit in a prominent place in our homes—a practice that homemakers have engaged in for many generations and one that seems to be just as popular today as it ever was.

It’s no wonder, really, because there’s something so homey and so deeply satisfying about entering a room where the focal point is an abundant display simply bursting with the color and freshness of nature’s bounty.

In the same way, a bountiful display of the fruits of God’s Spirit has a special attractiveness—an almost magnetic appeal. As each individual fruit of nature has the special combination of color, texture, size, and shape that create its unique beauty, so each fruit of the Spirit brings its own particular nuance of quiet, unassuming—yet simultaneously grandiose—loveliness.

Similarly, the combination of these diverse spiritual characteristics in the life of an individual multiplies their beauty many times over, in much the same way that the beauty of the fruit bowl is increased by the attractive incorporation of a variety of different fruits into the arrangement, rather than merely one or two kinds.

Others are drawn—without always understanding exactly why—to the woman who radiates spiritual loveliness wherever she goes, just as the visitor’s attention is irresistibly attracted to the splashes of color bursting from the bountiful fruit-filled centerpieces on display in our homes.

As the fresh and delicate scent of each delectable variety rises to fill the air, so our lives, like Christ’s, become, through the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, “an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”  Ephesians 5:2

Love, joy, and peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—these are the bountiful, beautiful spiritual fruits that God desires to see displayed in the fruit bowl of our lives. For when we exhibit these fruits, our lives become a reflection of God’s own character, instilled in us by His Spirit, and He is pleased.

As apples, peaches, bananas, grapes, and pears each reflect a bit of nature’s splendor, every one of the altogether lovely fruits of the Spirit expresses a unique and indispensable aspect of the unrivalled glory of God!

PRAYER:

O Holy Spirit, fill each of us daily with those most sacred attributes that Your Word so vividly refers to as the fruits of the Spirit, for we know that they are Your attributes, and when they flow unimpeded from the secret places of our lives, they will bring untold blessing to others, unimaginable harmony to us, and immeasurable glory to You! Amen.

Thought for the Day: As we aspire to draw closer to God and become ever clearer reflections of His image, let us continually seek to be filled anew with the power, presence, and fruits of His Holy Spirit.

Other Related Scriptural Passages: 2 Corinthians 3:18, John 15:4-5, 8

Jeanne is a Christian writer who is active in several ministries at Mountainbrook Community Church, in San Luis Obispo, CA. She has published in various markets online and through her blog Writer’s Notes. If you would like to comment on Jeanne’s article feel free to email writers@blessedlady.com.