I find it interesting that the characteristics listed in the above Bible verses are called "FRUIT". It got me to wondering... If you think of fruit, say an apple for instance, in a literal sense, these words take on a much more complex meaning.
The parts of an apple are the skin, the flesh, the core, the seeds, the stem, and the leaves. Each part has it's own purpose: The skin is the part that covers the outside of the apple, and protects the inside parts of the apple. The flesh is the juicy part of the apple that you eat. It's juicy because it holds water. The core is the center part of the apple that has the seed pockets. The seed pockets hold the seeds. The seeds are the little black dots inside the core. They can grow into new apple trees if you plant them and take care of them. The stem is the slender twig that connects the apple to the tree. It carries food and water into the apple. The leaves are the little flat, green parts of the tree that cover the branches. They make food for the apple so it can grow.
So, if we are truly to be led by the Spirit, and honestly open ourselves up to "Love our neighbors as ourselves”, we need to use every part of the apple or we sell ourselves short.
Of course, the flesh is the best part of the apple... the part everyone wants, but if the stem didn't carry food and water to the apple - it would die. And the seeds grow new apples. The life Jesus has given us is the flesh of the apple... His WORD is the stem. The seeds are what we plant in other people. We are capable of planting those seeds because we've opened ourselves to the "Fruit of the Spirit" - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
It's all like a Merry Go Round. Make sure you jump on!
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