Fruitful Living
The fruit of the spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25
INTRODUCTION
The contrast between results and fruit is important. For example, a machine in a factory works and turns out a product, but it can never manufacture fruit. Fruit grows out of life, and in the case of the believer, it is the Spirit – “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.” –Gal. 5:5 (NIV)
When we think of “works” we think of effort, labour, strain and toil but when we think of “fruit” we think of the unfolding of life – beauty, quietness, maturity. Apostle Paul begins the fruit of the Spirit with “love” because all the others are really an outgrowth of love.
Fruit grows in a climate blessed with abundance of the Spirit and the word – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Gal. 5:25 Living by the Spirit, therefore, means “keeping in step with the Spirit” – not running ahead nor lagging behind. Living by the Spirit involves the study of and mediation on the Word of God, prayers, worship,praise and fellowship with God’s people. It also means “pulling out the weeds” so that the seed of the Word can take root and bear fruit.
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
In contrast to the acts of the sinful nature is a God-centred, spiritually focused lifestyle that reflects the evidence of “the fruit of the Spirit.” This lifestyle is identified by a godly, Christlike character that is produced and developed in Christians as we allow the Holy Spirit to direct and influence our lives. Through the Spirit’s power, we are able to overcome and destroy sin’s power – particularly the acts of the sinful nature – and to enjoy the benefits of their personal relationship with God. The fruit of the Spirit includes:
- “Love” known in Greek as agape, refers to the selfless, God-kind of love that cares for and promotes what is best for another person without a hidden motive of personal gain. This kind of love is more than a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the cause of Christ and the benefit of others.
- “Joy” known in Greek as chara, is a strong inner sense of gladness that is not based on circumstances but on the love, grace, blessings, promises and nearness of God that belong to those who follow Christ. Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near, and at His second coming we will fully realise this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfil His final purpose for us.
- “Peace” known as eirënë in Greek is the inner calm and contentment based on the knowledge that one is in a right relationship with God and that God has everything under control. God’s peace is the opposite of human anxiety. It comes when we call on God from hearts that are fully devoted to Christ and His Word. By committing our cares to God, we can determine not to worry about them because they are now His concern.
- “Patience” known as makrothumia in Greek, means endurance, perseverance and the ability to wait without becoming angry, annoyed or upset. It includes the ability to tolerate being hurt or provoked without losing one’s temper. Patience is maintaining hope not giving in to despair.
- “Kindness” known as chrëstotësin Greek, involves true and active consideration for others. It includes not wanting to hurt anyone or cause anyone pain.
- “Goodness” known as agathösunö in Greek, is a character trait that causes someone to do what is right and beneficial for others. It includes a passion for truth and a hatred of evil. It is often expressed in acts of kindness or in challenging and correcting evil and injustice.
- “Faithfulness” known in Greek as pistis, is a firm and unwavering loyalty and devotion to a person to whom one is united by promise or commitment. It assumes being honest and trustworthy. It requires actively following through on one’s commitments.
- “Gentleness” known in Greek as prautës, refers to the quality shown by a mild friendliness or forbearance, especially to an enemy when harshness would be the expected behaviour. Like its synonym, epieikeia, the Greek word interpreted “gentleness” has more to do with one who follows the proper way of life, and later it referred to forbearance and mildness. A gentle person will act mercifully and appropriately.
- “Self-control” known in Greek as egkrateia, is the discipline of mastering one’s own desires, emotions and passions. It requires depending on God to overcome temptation and remain spiritually strong and pure. It is strongly related to faithfulness to one’s marriage vows – “But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” – 1 Cor. 1:9 (NIV).
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN US
The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Jesus Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to His “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4-5 (NIV).We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfil the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbours. Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you? “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Gal. 5:22-23 (NIV)
Because the God who sent the law sent the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled life are in perfect harmony with the intent of God’s law. A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit fulfils the law far better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his or her heart.
In order to accept Christ as Saviour, we need to turn from our sins and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This doesn’t mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again. As Christians, we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin’s power over us and no longer have to give in to it. We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God’s control, daily crucify them, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit’s power to overcome them. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Gal. 5:24 (NIV)
God is interested in every part of our lives, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit’s power, we need to submit every aspect of our lives to God – emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. Paul says that because we are saved, we should live like it! The Holy Spirit is the source of our new live, so keep in step with His leading. Don’t let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” – Gal. 5:25 (NIV).
CONCLUSION
Paul’s final comment on the fruit of the Spirit is that there are no exceptions or restrictions to the lifestyle described here. We can and must practise these character qualities over and over. We will never discover a law prohibiting us from living by these principles. God through Paul recommends that we rejoice in Him because He has our best interest at heart as we read in Phil. 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (NIV)
Stay blessed!
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By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
Fruitful Living
Has man lost the essence of his creation? A reflective call to rediscover our divine purpose (Part 1)
Introduction: Rediscoveringour purpose
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and ask for His mercy. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
In today’s increasingly materialistic and turbulent world, a profound question echoes louder than ever: Has man lost the essence of his creation? It is a question that compels every thinking soul to pause and reflect deeply.
In the midst of scientific breakthroughs, booming technology, and economic pursuits, we must ask ourselves: are we fulfilling the sacred purpose for which we were created? Are we still living as stewards of Allah on earth, or have we strayed from our divine assignment?
This article explores the Qur’anic foundation of man’s creation, the noble position he holds, and the deviation from this divine path in modern times. It further calls for a return to spiritual consciousness and outlines practical steps to help realign mankind with his intended purpose.
Man: Allah’s Vicegerent on Earth
The Qur’an states: “And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent (Khalifah)…’” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30).
This declaration marks the beginning of man’s honorable journey on earth. Mankind was created from clay, as recorded in Surah Al-Hijr:
“And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.’ So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:26-29).
This prostration of angels was not to worship Adam, but to recognize the honor Allah had bestowed upon man. It signified a spiritual hierarchy in which man, though of earthly origin, carries a divine trust and responsibility.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this dignity. He taught that every human is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah) and bears the potential to fulfill their purpose as a servant of Allah and custodian of His creation.
The Purpose of Creation
Allah did not create man in vain. The Qur’an states clearly: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56).
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” (Surah Al-Bayyinah, 98:5).
Another profound verse underscores that life was not created aimlessly:
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.”(Surah Sad, 38:27).
These verses convey that creation is intentional, meaningful, and divinely ordained. The essence of man’s creation lies in his recognition of Allah, his conscious submission to the Divine Will, and his dedication to a life of worship, service, and ethical living.
Worship in Islam is not confined to rituals alone but extends to every aspect of human existence—how we earn, govern, lead our families, engage with society, and preserve the environment. Every righteous deed done with sincerity for Allah’s pleasure becomes an act of worship.
Imam Al-Ghazali explains in Ihya Ulum al-Din that true worship stems from knowledge of Allah and a heart that submits lovingly to His will. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah likewise stresses that man’s highest honor lies in fulfilling the purpose of servitude (`ubudiyyah) to Allah, which brings inner peace and divine elevation.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated this perfect balance of worship and engagement in worldly affairs. He was a husband, a leader, a statesman, and a worshipper who said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if they are few.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464)
Living in harmony with this divine purpose not only brings personal fulfillment but also collective peace. Conversely, neglecting it results in moral confusion, injustice, and spiritual emptiness.
Therefore, recognizing and living by our purpose is not a luxury but a necessity. It is the key to real success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Fruitful Living
Trusting God with our anxieties (final)
Jesus not only instructs us not to worry — He explains why worrying is counterproductive to our well-being:
❖ Worry is blind. It refuses to learn from nature, history, or personal experience. Birds and flowers testify to God’s faithfulness. The history of Israel is filled with God’s miraculous provision — from Egypt to the Red Sea to the Promised Land (Deut. 8:14–15).
❖ Worry refuses to learn the lesson of life. Time and again, God has helped us bear the unbearable and overcome the insurmountable. He strengthens us even when we reach the breaking point — and keeps us from breaking.
❖ Worry is irreligious. It stems not from our external circumstances, but from a heart full of fear and distrust. Yet Scripture declares:“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
The antidote to worry: El shaddai
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” One of the most comforting names of God is El Shaddai, which first appears in Genesis 17:1 and appears 218 times in the Bible.
❖ El means “Strong One.”
❖ Shaddai means “The Breasted One.”
Together, El Shaddai paints a picture of God as:
❖ Our Strong Nourisher
❖ Strength Giver
❖ Satisfier
❖ All-Bountiful Supplier
❖ Fulfiller of Needs
❖ The Life-Giver who brings dead things back to life
(e.g., Abraham and Sarah conceiving Isaac at 150 and 90 years respectively)
In knowing who God is, we find the courage to release our anxieties. If He is truly El Shaddai — strong, sufficient, and sustaining — then we are safe in His hands.
Practical steps to peace
In Philippians 4:6–7, we are given a divine prescription for peace:
1. Stop being anxious and fretful. Recognize the emotional and spiritual toll of worry.
2. Go to God in prayer about everything. Nothing is too big or small.
3. Pray for yourself. God is your Father — your relationship with Him is personal.
4. Thank Him as you pray. Gratitude builds faith and reminds us of His past faithfulness.
When we do this, God’s peace — not the world’s peace — will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
CONCLUSION
We are living in uncertain times. Pressures abound and anxieties easily multiply. But as children of God, we are called to walk a different path — one of quiet confidence, steady trust, and daily surrender.
God’s Word is clear: worry doesn’t help — but trust in God brings peace. Let us shift our focus from fear to faith, from anxiety to adoration. Let us anchor our hearts in the unchanging character of El Shaddai — our Almighty God — and rest in His perfect care.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
