What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit? This question is foundational for understanding the Christian life. Many believers are familiar with the gifts of the Spirit, such as prophecy, healing, and tongues, but fewer grasp the importance of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. While the gifts are given to individual Christians for specific purposes and ministries, the fruit of the Spirit is to be cultivated and displayed by every believer. The fruit of the Spirit refers to the character traits and qualities that the Holy Spirit develops in us as we follow Christ. These are not natural personality traits, but the supernatural product of God’s Spirit transforming us from the inside out.

Galatians 5 contrasts the “works of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit.” The flesh is our fallen, sinful nature that opposes God. Left to ourselves, we would display the selfish, destructive attitudes and behaviors listed in Galatians 5:19-21. But when we place our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us (Ephesians 1:13-14). As we yield to His leading and abide in Christ, the Spirit begins to reproduce Jesus’ character in us. Galatians 5:22-23 lists nine qualities that summarize this Spirit-produced fruit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Bearing this fruit is essential, not optional, for Christlikeness. A true disciple will display Spirit-empowered character change, not just outward conformity to rules. Jesus declared, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). Our spiritual fruitfulness both glorifies God and validates our profession of faith.

So what are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and how can we cultivate them? Let’s examine each aspect of the fruit and explore practical ways to cooperate with the Spirit’s transforming work.

What Are the Fruits of the Holy Spirit? Cultivating a Spirit-Filled Life

The 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

The nine-fold fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5 is a portrait of Christ’s perfect character produced in imperfect people by the power of the Holy Spirit. Note that “fruit” is singular, implying a unified, complete whole. The Spirit’s work in us is not to make us nice in one area but nasty in another. Rather, He is conforming us to the full likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29), developing an integrated Christlike character.

Here are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:

1. Love (agape): Unconditional, sacrificial love that always seeks the highest good of others.
2. Joy (chara): Gladness and delight that is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in God.
3. Peace (eirene): Wholeness, harmony, and tranquility that comes from being reconciled to God and resting in His sovereignty.
4. Patience (makrothumia): Long-suffering, perseverance, and slowness to anger or seek revenge.
5. Kindness (chrestotes): Moral goodness, integrity, and active consideration for others’ needs.
6. Goodness (agathosune): Uprightness of heart and life, kindness, and generosity.
7. Faithfulness (pistis): Reliability, trustworthiness, and steadfast loyalty to God and others.
8. Gentleness (prautes): Humility, consideration, and courtesy; not weakness but strength under control.
9. Self-control (egkrateia): Mastery over sinful desires, passions, and appetites; the ability to say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to the Spirit.

These qualities flow from a life surrendered to God and walking in step with the Holy Spirit. They are not the result of self-effort or willpower, but the supernatural outworking of the Spirit’s presence within us.

Let’s delve deeper into each fruit of the Holy Spirit to understand what it looks like in practice and how it points people to Jesus.

Love

The first and preeminent fruit of the Spirit is love. This is no sentimental, feel-good love, but agape – the same sacrificial, unconditional love that God has for us and that led Jesus to the cross (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). When the Holy Spirit fills our lives, He pours out the very love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:5).

1 Corinthians 13 provides a beautiful description of Spirit-empowered love in action. It is patient and kind, not envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. It does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres (1 Cor. 13:4-7). This is the “more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31) that should characterize our relationships and ministry.

Jesus declared that our love for one another is the defining mark of true discipleship: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). When we walk in step with the Spirit, His supernatural love will flow through us to a watching world. As we lay down our lives in humble service, forgive freely, and pursue others’ good ahead of our own, we shine gospel light into the darkness.

Cultivating the fruit of love starts with proactively “putting on” love (Col. 3:14) – choosing to act in love even when we don’t feel loving. As we pray for the Spirit to fill us afresh with His love and take practical steps to bless others, our hearts will grow in genuine, Christlike affection. Love is often inconvenient and costly, but it is the most powerful witness we have.

Joy

Joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that He will be there for us no matter what happens. This kind of joy is not the same as happiness, which depends upon circumstances or emotional highs. Rather, true joy is a chosen attitude and spiritual mindset based on trust in God.

Joy finds its source in the Lord – in His attributes, His promises, His sovereignty, and especially His sacrificial saving work for us on the cross. We “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4) because He never changes and His mercies never fail (Lamentations 3:22-23). Even in trials and suffering, the Holy Spirit can fill us with supernatural joy as we focus on eternal realities (James 1:2-4).

Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) – the joy of obeying the Father, defeating sin and death, and welcoming redeemed sinners into eternal fellowship with Him. As we abide in Christ, the Spirit aligns our perspective and priorities with His so that we too can rejoice in God’s glorious purposes even amid painful circumstances.

To cultivate the fruit of joy, we must daily preach truth to our souls as David did: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5). As we count our blessings, give thanks in all things (1 Thess. 5:18), and glory in Christ, the Spirit will fill us with His inexpressible joy (1 Peter 1:8).

Peace

In a world of conflict, anxiety, and uncertainty, the fruit of peace is a powerful witness to the reality of the gospel. Like joy, the peace that the Holy Spirit produces in believers is not dependent on circumstances. This peace is rooted in the objective reality of Christ’s finished work of redemption that changes our status before God and secures our eternal destiny.

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1) – a restored relationship with Him, as our sins are forgiven and His wrath is satisfied. No longer strangers and enemies, we are adopted as beloved children (Ephesians 2:12-13). This foundational peace is the bedrock for the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

As we entrust our anxieties to the Lord in prayer and meditate on His glorious promises, the Holy Spirit will guard our hearts and minds with supernatural peace (Philippians 4:6-7). This peace will not only steady us in the storms of life, but will spill over to impact others. As people of peace, we can absorb tensions, mediate conflicts, and speak shalom to chaos and brokenness.

To walk in the Spirit’s peace, we must daily cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7), trust His sovereign orchestration of all things for our good (Romans 8:28), and keep our minds stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). In a world of tribulation, Jesus encourages us with this promise: “In me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Patience

Christlike patience is a long-suffering, persevering spirit that endures through difficult people and circumstances. It is the quality that enables us to respond to irritations, setbacks, delays, and even injustice with grace and self-restraint. In our microwave culture of instant gratification, Spirit-produced patience is a powerful countercultural witness.

Both patience and peace are rooted in trust – trust in God’s wisdom, goodness, and sovereign timetable. Patience flows from an eternal perspective that realizes God is working all things together for His glory and our ultimate good, even when the way seems slow or our prayers appear unanswered. As the Spirit grows this fruit in us, we will increasingly be “slow to anger” (James 1:19) and able to bear graciously with others’ faults and failures.

Patience doesn’t develop automatically or overnight, but through a Spirit-dependent process of enduring trials. As Paul wrote, “…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4). When we find ourselves in frustrating or painful circumstances, we can either try to frantically manipulate the situation or surrender to the Spirit’s work in using it to sand off our rough edges and conform us to Christ.

Practically, we cultivate patience by learning to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14), entrusting our unanswered prayers to His perfect timing, and choosing to respond to aggravations with gentleness and self-control. Remembering how patient God is with us will fill us with greater patience for others. As we abide in Christ and walk by the Spirit, supernatural long-suffering will increasingly characterize our lives.

Kindness

Kindness is sincere care for others, backed by concrete actions to meet their needs. More than superficial niceness, it is Spirit-generated goodness and active love that goes out of its way to bless even the undeserving. The Bible often links kindness with God’s compassionate heart and saving actions toward rebellious sinners like us (Ephesians 2:7, Titus 3:4).

The greatest display of God’s kindness is Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus treated the marginalized and unlovable with dignity and tenderness, healing the sick, touching lepers, defending the vulnerable, washing the disciples’ feet. As the Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus, we will find our hearts and hands increasingly ready to show kindness to those in need.

Kindness is love with work boots on. It is expressed through warm greetings, thoughtful words, sincere forgiveness, generous hospitality, volunteered help. Kind people are quick to share their resources, quick to offer a listening ear, quick to meet practical needs. They look for little (and big) ways to lighten others’ loads and brighten their days. The Spirit often prompts us to specific acts of kindness as we interact with people.

Cultivating the fruit of kindness involves cooperating with those nudges – calling the grieving friend, leaving an encouraging note, babysitting for the single mom, making a meal for the sick family, giving to the person in financial straits. As we step out to show Spirit-led kindness, especially to the difficult and undeserving, others will see Jesus’ love with skin on and be drawn to Him.

Goodness

Closely related to kindness, the fruit of goodness involves integrity and moral uprightness – living rightly before God and doing the right thing even when it’s costly. Goodness is not just the absence of evil but the proactive choice to think and act in a way that honors God and reflects His character.

God alone is perfectly, unchangeably good (Mark 10:18), the source and standard of all goodness. Everything He made was originally “very good” (Genesis 1:31), and His goodness continues to fill the earth (Psalm 33:5). But humanity’s sin marred that goodness, leaving us broken and prone to evil. Only through the gospel are we forgiven, declared righteous in Christ, and enabled by the Holy Spirit to walk in genuine goodness.

As the Spirit makes us more like Jesus, the ultimate good One, we will increasingly think pure thoughts, speak words that give grace, make choices that please God, and live with consistency between our talk and our walk. Goodness refuses to harbor secret sins, lie to get ahead, or compromise convictions under pressure. It chooses faithfulness over worldly success and God’s glory over selfish gain.

Growing in goodness requires continually setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2), saturating our hearts with Scripture, and instantly obeying the Spirit’s conviction. It means making no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14) by starving sinful desires and fleeing temptation. As we walk in step with the Spirit, turning from evil and pursuing righteousness, His goodness will shine ever brighter through our lives.

Faithfulness

The fruit of faithfulness involves loyalty and trustworthiness – being reliable and true to our word, carrying through on responsibilities and commitments even when it’s difficult. A faithful person keeps their vows, shows up on time, follows through on assignments, and sticks with relationships through thick and thin. Their character is steady and their walk matches their talk.

God Himself is the ultimate model of faithfulness. He is always true to His word, fulfilling every promise and finishing what He starts (Numbers 23:19, Philippians 1:6). His loyal love endures forever (Psalm 136:1) and extends to all generations (Psalm 100:5). Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).

Through the gospel, God credits the perfect faithfulness of Christ to us and puts His Spirit within us to grow a new faithfulness from the inside out. Genuine saving faith doesn’t fizzle but endures to the end (Colossians 1:22-23). The Holy Spirit enables us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10), steadfast and fruitful in His work.

Cultivating faithfulness starts with following through in the little things – keeping our casual word, doing our daily tasks with excellence, being on time, fulfilling our basic roles and responsibilities. It means sticking with people, projects, and commitments for the long haul instead of chasing the next shiny object. As we abide in Christ, draw strength from His faithfulness, and stay in step with the Spirit, a life of God-glorifying faithfulness will increasingly mark our lives.

Gentleness

Gentleness, also translated meekness or humility, does not refer to weakness or passivity, but to power and passion under control. It is the humble, others-focused demeanor that flows from a right view of God, self, and others. The gentle person is not easily ruffled or self-assertive, but radiates a sweet approachability and quiet strength.

Jesus beautifully embodied the fruit of gentleness. He described Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). The Suffering Servant was not defensive, harsh, or condemning, but tender with the repentant and lowly. He displayed perfect patience with sinners, listening well and treating even societal outcasts with respect. Yet He could also fiercely rebuke hypocrisy and overturn tables when the Father’s honor was at stake. His power was always under the Spirit’s control and exercised for others’ good.

As we yield to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work, He will shape that same humble, others-focused posture in us. Gentleness enables us to restrain our words when insulted (1 Peter 2:23), respond graciously to those who wrong us (Proverbs 15:1), restore sinning brothers with patience (Galatians 6:1), and maintain unity when opinions differ (Ephesians 4:1-3). It doesn’t insist on its own way, but seeks peace and deference out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).

To grow in gentleness, we must daily put on the mindset of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8), meditate on God’s tender dealings with us, and choose the way of humility over pride. Practicing empathetic listening, gracious speech, and deference to others will further reinforce the fruit of gentleness. As the Spirit has His way in us, He will replace our self-protective roughness with the winsome humility of Jesus.

Self-control

Self-control is the ability to restrain one’s own impulses, emotions, and desires in order to serve a higher purpose. It involves self-mastery, self-discipline, and self-restraint – the capacity to say “no” to sinful desires in order to say “yes” to God’s will. In a culture that elevates unbridled self-expression and self-indulgence, Spirit-empowered self-control is a powerful witness.

The foundation for self-control is a heart surrendered to the lordship of Christ and in step with the Holy Spirit. When we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The indwelling Spirit empowers us to put to death the misdeeds of the body (Romans 8:13) and to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-12).

Self-control touches every area of life – our thoughts, emotions, words, choices, schedule, habits, appetites, sexuality. It means disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7), bringing every thought and action under the Spirit’s control. Self-controlled people maintain their composure under pressure, restrain their tongue when provoked, stick to their commitments when tempted to quit, and live within their means. They make choices for the long-term good rather than short-term gratification.

Growing in self-control requires proactive choices to starve the flesh and feed the spirit. It means making no provision for sinful desires (Romans 13:14), but instead putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. This involves redirecting our thoughts (Philippians 4:8), guarding what goes into our minds, structuring our schedules to prioritize time with God, and establishing Spirit-directed boundaries and accountability. As we yield to the Holy Spirit’s moment-by-moment leadership, He will produce the beautiful fruit of self-control for God’s glory.

How to Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit

What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and how can we see them increasingly ripen in our lives? Here are some key practices for cooperating with the Spirit’s fruit-bearing work:

1. Abide in Christ: In John 15, Jesus gives the key to a fruitful life: abiding in Him. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4). We bear much fruit only as we remain vitally connected to Christ through prayer, feeding on His Word, worshipping, and obeying His commands. Disconnected from the Vine, we can do nothing.
2. Walk by the Spirit: Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” To walk by the Spirit means to live in conscious dependence on Him, yielding to His control moment by moment. As we fix our minds on Christ, keep in step with the Spirit’s leading through His Word and promptings, and rely on His strength to put to death fleshly deeds, we will bear the Spirit’s fruit.
3. Renew your mind: Transformation starts in the mind. As we meditate on Scripture and set our thoughts on things above (Colossians 3:2), the Spirit renews our minds and aligns our desires with God’s (Romans 12:2). Immersing ourselves in truth exposes areas of sin, shifts our perspective, and fuels our growth in Christlikeness. The more we fill our minds with God’s Word, the more the fruit of the Spirit will blossom in our lives.
4. Practice the fruit: Spiritual fruit develops as we exercise it. Love grows as we choose to love the unlovely. Joy deepens as we rejoice in God amid trials. Faithfulness is forged in the daily choice to keep our word and fulfill our responsibilities. While only the Spirit can produce spiritual fruit, we partner with Him by practicing the qualities He seeks to grow in us. Obedience paves the way for greater fruitfulness.
5. Pray for fruit-fullness: Jesus promised that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13). Prayer acknowledges our dependence on God for spiritual transformation and aligns our desires with His. As we pray for specific fruit of the Spirit to abound in and through us, God will answer to accomplish His good purposes. Prayer keeps us connected to the Vine and receptive to the Spirit’s fruit-producing work.

Conclusion

What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit? They are the beautiful, Christlike qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in believers as they walk in surrender to Him. From love, joy, and peace to patience, kindness, and self-control, these fruits are not the result of self-effort but the supernatural outworking of the Spirit’s presence. The nine-fold fruit of the Spirit reflects the very character of God and serves as compelling evidence of a life transformed by the gospel.

Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit is a lifelong, collaborative process. As we abide in Christ, yield to the Spirit’s control, renew our minds with truth, and live out the qualities He works in us, our lives will increasingly reflect the character of our Savior. While none of us will be perfect this side of heaven, we can and should be growing in love, joy, peace, and all the Spirit’s fruit. The goal is a life so closely aligned with Christ’s that others see Him in us.

Ultimately, a Spirit-filled, fruit-bearing life brings great glory to God. Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). Our spiritual fruitfulness not only validates our profession of faith, but points a watching world to the transforming power of the gospel. May our lives be characterized by a rich harvest of spiritual fruit for the fame of God’s great name!

If you have been blessed by this teaching and desire to go deeper in your understanding of the prophetic, I invite you to check out some of my other resources:

• “How to Prophesy Accurately: 13 Keys to receive and release a prophetic word” is a practical handbook to help you grow in your prophetic gifting, full of biblical insight and personal stories from my decades of ministry.

• “Mind Fasting: Unlock Your Spiritual Vision and See Clearly in the Spirit Realm” explores the vital but often neglected role of spiritual disciplines like fasting in sharpening our spiritual senses and tuning our hearts to hear God’s voice more clearly.

• “How to Hear From God in a Noisy World: Learn to Know His Voice and Make Right Decisions“ explores the essential but often challenging art of discerning God’s authentic voice amid life’s constant noise and distractions, equipping believers with proven biblical methods and practical tools to confidently recognize divine guidance and make Spirit-led decisions in every area of life.

• My Prophetic Masterclass, available at PropheticBibleSchool.com, offers in-depth video teachings, interactive exercises, and a vibrant online community to accelerate your growth as a prophet.

My prayer is that as you dive deep into the Scriptures, you will encounter afresh the beauty and power of God’s prophetic Word. May you hear His voice with greater clarity, walk in the fullness of your prophetic calling, and bear witness to the unfolding of His marvelous purposes in the earth.

Hungry for more of the prophetic? Visit PropheticBibleSchool.com to enroll in my Prophetic Masterclass today!

Gratefully yours,

Prophet Kum Eric Tso