The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Peace, Patience

Over the past few days, I have been discussing the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Yesterday I talked about love, the first fruit of the Spirit. In my opinion, love is the most important fruit that we can bear, and I find it no coincidence that it is listed in Galatians as the first fruit. Our love walk is crucial not only because it testifies to the world, as well as other believers, that Jesus is our Lord and we are God’s children, but it is the greatest commandment that Jesus gave us.

The second fruit of the Spirit is joy. According to “How the Spirit Works In and Through Believers/ The Fruit of the Spirit” by Rose Publishing, joy is “gladness not based on circumstances.” Joy and happiness are two different things. Anyone can feel happy when they are having a good day, when they get a pay raise, when they talk to an old friend, or when things are generally going their way. Joy, on the other hand is the attitude, feeling and state of mind that super cedes our circumstances. Anyone can be happy, whether they are Christian’s or nonbelievers, but true joy only comes from the Lord.

In Nehemiah 8:10, Nehemiah declares, “the joy of the Lord is your strength." During times of trials and despair, Christian’s have the awesome privilege of leaning on God, instead of leaning on our own understanding, and when we do He will straighten our paths and show us the way (Proverbs 3:5-7). We are able to go directly to the throne of the Lord and seek His counsel, wisdom, guidance, and direction in difficult situations. Hebrews 14:6 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. As men and women of God, we can fall into God’s embrace where He will provide comfort and shelter from any storm that we are facing (Isaiah 25:4). Believers in Christ can also remain confident and joyful during difficult times, because God has promised us that we will be victorious in every circumstance (Psalm 44:7; 60:12; 108:13; 118:15; Proverbs 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:4). It is because of these blessed opportunities to fellowship with and rely on God that we are able to maintain joy, no matter what happens in our lives.

According to “How the Spirit Works In and Through Believers/ The Fruit of the Spirit” by Rose Publishing, “joy is more than happiness. It is not based on financial success, good health, or popularity. By believing in God, obeying His will, receiving His forgiveness, participating in fellowship with other believers, ministering to others, and sharing the Gospel, believers will experience joy.” Jesus wants us to have abundant lives filled with joy. In John 17:13, “Jesus said: ‘I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.’” Jesus encourages us to seek Him and ask Him for the desires of our heart, so that our joy will be complete. In John 16:24 Jesus said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 also shows us that when we have Christ in our lives and we have received salvation, then we will have “inexpressible and glorious joy.” What an awesome God we serve!

Peace is another fruit of the Spirit. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). In Matthew 5:9 Jesus said that peacemakers will be blessed and “they will be called sons of God.” In John 16:33 Jesus said, “’I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’” Peace is very important to the Lord. God desires for us to live in peace, and He desires that we have peace within ourselves, which comes from Him. Jesus didn’t say that we will never face trouble in this life, but He did encourage us to take heart and keep our minds in peace. Isaiah 26:3 says that God “will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in” Him. Even though it can be difficult to do at times, we need to make sure that we don’t worry. We need to trust the Lord and know that He is going to take care of us because we are His children. In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

It is not God’s intention that we live our lives worried, without order or full of chaos. “God is not a God of disorder but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).” Life isn’t perfect, and sometimes things won’t go your way, but if there is a constant theme of chaos, disorder and disorganization in your life, then I encourage you to seek God about your situation. Earnestly seek Him! Fast, pray, and spend time in His Word for a period of time, and see what the Lord reveals to you.

In the pamphlet, “How the Spirit Works In and Through Believers/ The Fruit of the Spirit” by Rose Publishing, peace is defined as “contentment” and “unity between people.” It goes on to say that “peace is a state of assurance, lack of fear, and sense of contentment. It is fellowship, harmony, and unity between individuals. Peace is freedom from worry, disturbance, and oppressive thoughts.” Since God is a God of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33), then the heirs (sons and daughters) of God should be children of peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.” We need to step out in faith and trust God. We need to allow the peace of the Holy Spirit to fill us, and we need to let go of worry, doubt and fear. Stay in faith and remain peaceful. God is able! Maintain peace in your relationships, as far as it depends on you. Make an effort to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11)!

Patience is another important fruit of the Spirit. “How the Spirit Works In and Through Believers/ The Fruit of the Spirit” by Rose Publishing defines patience as being “slow to speak and slow to anger. Patience is slowness in avenging wrongs. It is the quality of restraint that prevents believers from speaking or acting hastily in the face of disagreement, opposition, or persecution. Patience is bearing pain or problems without complaining.”

In Proverbs, we can receive instruction and wisdom from the words we read about patience. Proverbs 14:29 says, “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Proverbs 15:18 says, “A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.” There is wisdom and power in a person who is patient. I think that it also goes without saying that when we choose to be impatient, often times we will end up in a bad situation. We need to trust God and rely on Him to provide for us on His timing, not our own. The Lord knows when it is time to move you into a new season or a new direction, whether or not you should receive certain things that you are requesting, and so on. Be patient and wait on the Lord! 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourages us to “be patient with everyone.” There are no exceptions to the rule, when it comes to patience. It does not matter if it is your child, your spouse, your friend, your mother, your neighbor, or your coworker. Be patient with everyone you encounter. Be a light in the world, even if it may be difficult to do at times. “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged (James 5:8-9).”

I would like to add that I believe that patience is an act of love. Even 1 Corinthians 13:4 says “love is patient,” and we know God wants us to walk in love. Let’s face it, American’s are spoiled. We live in a country where we want what we want when we want it, and most of us often end up getting it. Unfortunately, patience is not something that has been instilled in us as a culture. However, we have to rise above our culture, the family we were raised in, or whatever negative messages we received concerning patience, and we need to understand the truth of what God has to say about it. Not only is patience an act of love, it is a fruit that we should bear as followers of Jesus Christ. It may take some work, but if we want to bear good fruit for the Lord, then we need to make an effort to live with patience.

Tomorrow we will take a look at the fruit of kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.