Is It Fruit or a Facade?

Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…

As Christians, we often grapple with expectations—both from others and ourselves. But what does God want us to look like? Romans 8:29 tells us that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son - Jesus. Philippians 1:6 assures us that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. This means that our Christian life is one of continuous development and growth, looking more like Jesus each day.

In today's world, it's easy to present a polished version of ourselves, but God wants us to live authentically. The Christian life God wants us to experience is not about putting on a facade but about genuine spiritual growth that reflects the fruit of the Spirit. It's not about faking joy or peace but genuinely experiencing these fruits of the Spirit.

I came across an interesting story from Stuart Briscoe about his childhood friend. This friend lived in a two-story house that had an old fruit tree right outside the bedroom window. Whenever the little boy thought he was about to get into trouble, he would scramble out the window and climb down that old fruit tree. However, this tree hadn't borne any fruit for many years; it was completely barren. Eventually, the boy's father decided it was time to take action. He declared, "I'm going to cut this tree down. It's served no purpose for years and is just taking up space." That night, the little boy gathered his friends and they bought a bushel of apples. They carefully tied the apples all over the tree in a desperate attempt to save it. In the morning, the father woke up to find his wife, Mary, and exclaimed, “Mary, I can’t believe my eyes. The old fruit tree that was barren for years is covered with apples. It’s a miracle because it’s a pear tree!”[1]

This humorous story illustrates that true spiritual fruit cannot be artificially attached; it must grow naturally. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of a life filled with the Holy Spirit, not something we can manufacture on our own.

Galatians 5:22-23 lists these fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not manufactured traits but natural byproducts of a Spirit-filled life. These traits paint a portrait of Jesus. While the gifts of the Spirit are important, the fruit of the Spirit is the true evidence of a Spirit-filled life. Galatians 5 emphasizes character traits over spiritual gifts.

Abiding in Christ

Our focus should be on these fruits, which naturally grow as we abide in Christ. John 15:1-5 emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine, we cannot produce spiritual fruit unless we remain in close relationship with Jesus. The command is not to be more loving or joyful but to abide in Christ. This abiding life allows the Holy Spirit to work through us, producing genuine spiritual fruit.

This week, challenge yourself to focus on one fruit of the Spirit. Whether it's love, joy, peace, or another trait, ask God to help you grow in that area. Reflect on these questions:

Am I genuinely expressing this fruit, or am I merely putting on a facade?

How can I abide more deeply in Christ to allow this fruit to grow naturally?

What opportunities is God giving me to practice this fruit in my daily life?

The empowered life that God promises is not about doing more but about being more like Jesus. As we abide in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we will naturally produce the fruit of the Spirit. This authentic transformation will not only change us but also impact those around us, allowing them to see Jesus in us.

“Lord, help me to abide in You and stay connected to Your life-giving presence. Let Your Holy Spirit work through me to produce genuine spiritual fruit. Amen. Help me live empowered by Your Spirit, reflecting the character of Jesus in all I say and do. Help me to grow in authenticity and allow Your love, joy, and peace to flow through me. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

[1] Adapted from https://www.family-times.net/illustration/Quiet-Time/201718/