[#0010] The Fruit of His Presence

You can't manufacture love, joy, or peace on your own - but the Holy Spirit can grow them in you. This episode examines Galatians 5:22-23 and the nine characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. Discover how real spiritual fruit grows naturally when you stay connected to God, not through white-knuckled effort.

Notice Paul says "the fruit" singular, not "fruits" plural. This isn't a menu where you pick and choose. When the Holy Spirit fills you, all nine characteristics should start showing up in your life. Not perfectly, not all at once, but progressively.

Can you manufacture genuine love for someone who's hurt you? Can you create deep joy when life is falling apart? No. These aren't things you work up - they're things that grow in you when the Spirit fills you. That's why it's called the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of your effort.

I share about my terrible temper and how I tried so hard to control it on my own, only to fail repeatedly. The breakthrough came when I stopped trying to manage my anger and started asking to be filled with the Spirit. Over time, self-control and patience grew - not because I white-knuckled it, but because the Spirit was producing His fruit in me.