The Fruit for the New Year

by Rob Ventura

I recently preached a series on the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians chapter five and found it to be, well, fruitful. This vital section of Scripture draws a sharp contrast between the works of the flesh (vv. 19-21) and the fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of God’s true children (vv. 22, 23). Paul wrote these words to the Galatians in part to show them that true spirituality is not measured merely by outward practices, such as adherence to the Mosaic Law, but rather by the inward transformation that the Spirit of God produces in God’s redeemed children—a transformation that is primarily to be expressed toward others within one’s congregation. Here is my definition of the fruit of the Spirit:

The fruit of the Spirit is the character traits, attitudes, and attributes of the true children of God that belong to a new life in Christ and grow from it, which are called forth from the Word of God and are to be expressed toward all but especially others in one’s church.

Below are descriptions of all nine aspects or manifestations of the singular fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers, which are interconnected and collectively form the evidence of a transformed life. Each aspect is empowered by the Holy Spirit, relates to others—especially fellow church members—promotes their good, and is to be done for the glory of God. May it be, then, that as we continue to cultivate a close relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture reading, and corporate worship, God will be pleased to keep producing these glorious spiritual realities in us, so that this year we will bring forth an abundant harvest to the praise and honor of His great Name.

Christian love is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to show, sacrificially and selflessly, a strong regard for and a warm interest in all people, but especially the people of God in one’s church, being always ready to benefit them as much as possible, even at great personal cost.

Christian joy is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to maintain a genuine, deep, inner attitude of good cheer and hope toward all, even in difficult circumstances, but especially toward the people of God in one’s church.

Christian peace is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to have a calmness of soul that comes from knowing God in truth through Christ, which enables them to be at harmony with all, but especially the people of God in one’s church.

Christian long-suffering is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to be slow to anger and full of forbearance toward all, but especially the people of God in one’s church, remembering how long-suffering God is with them.

Christian kindness is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to be sensitive to the needs of all, but especially the people of God in one’s church, whether those needs be physical, emotional, or spiritual, and then by God’s grace, they graciously and gently seek to meet those needs whether deserved or not.

Christian goodness is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to imitate God’s generosity and care in practical ways toward all, but especially the people of God in one’s church, whether it is deserved or not.

Christian faithfulness is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek at all costs to be trustworthy, dependable, true, and loyal in all their dealings, commitments, promises, and interactions so that they can be utterly relied upon in word and deed by all, but especially the people of God in one’s church.

Christian gentleness is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to avoid all dispositions of rudeness, rage, revenge, roughness, bossiness, or callousness with a “my way or the highway” kind of attitude, and exhibit a mildness, friendliness, sweetness, and a willingness to yield to others, marked by courtesy and compassion toward all, but especially toward the people of God in one’s church.

Christian self-control is:

A disposition of the redeemed, who, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to curb their tongues, tummies, time, thoughts, and tempers, by bringing them under the Lordship of Christ, having a gospel-driven self-mastery, rule and restraint over their actions, emotions, passions, lust, and ungodly attitudes toward all, but especially the people of God in one’s church.

Rob Ventura is one of the pastors of Grace Community Baptist Church in North Providence, Rhode Island. He is a co-author of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare and is the general editor of Going Beyond the Five Points, Lectures in Systematic Theology, and A New Exposition of The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. He is also the author of Expository Outlines and Observations on Romans and Equipped to Evangelize(2025). Additionally, he has contributed articles to journals, periodicals, and The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible.

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