The Fruit Of The Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit

The whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Galatians 5:14-15

In the center of your head is a structure of the brain whose purpose is survival. It is the intensive care unit of the nervous system, the part of the supersystem that helps you stay well. Medical students are taught to remember the functions of this part of the brain, called the limbic system, by knowing that it is consumed with either fighting, fleeing, or feeding. Body temperature, heartbeat, breathing, sweating, and the general response of the body to the world begin here.

The limbic system reacts to any change in our internal or external world, a type of biological Geiger counter. But it does not read, consider, evaluate, or assess anything in regard to the welfare of the rest of the world. It is only concerned with its own survival. Unless told otherwise, there is no “us” in the lower levels of the brain, only “self.” This is borne out by some of the verses we can read about our basic selfishness (see 2 Timothy 3:2). But according to Galatians 5:22-23, there are qualities that transcend a selfish focus on “me.” These qualities are the fruit of inviting the Holy Spirit to transform our self-centered tendencies: “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

What person would not like to make a home with someone who demonstrates these qualities? These are the marks of the individual who, through the power of God, has transcended selfishness and seen “me” turned into “we.” Every marriage runs the “limbic system” risk of becoming two self-centered persons consumed with individual survival. But when the Holy Spirit is allowed to transform each one’s self-gratifying nature, the real miracle of marriage occurs: the more we give of ourselves, the more fruit we enjoy.

All the fruits of the Spirit, which we are to lay weight upon as evidential of grace, are summed up in charity, or Christian love; because this is the sum of all grace.

—Jonathan Edwards