Fruit of the Spirit - LOVE

by: Jeanie Cullip

24/7 MOMS Inspiration Editor

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the phrase 'fruit of the Spirit', these are the nine qualities we should display as Christians. They are virtues that every Christian should try to attain through time, practice and under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit (because you cannot do it alone). As with most things, developing 'fruit of the Spirit' is a spiritual exercise, and should not be confused with positive thinking or affirmations. It is not based on your own thoughts or your emotions. It is a lesson learned directly from the Holy Spirit to your own spirit.

The 'fruit of the Spirit" are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control. These can be found in Galatians Chapter 5 verses 22 and 23.

Love is the most important of these fruit. Love is so important there is an entire chapter devoted to it. Most know this as the love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. The chapter even ends by saying the greatest of these is love.

We absolutely, positively must have love and not just any kind of love. Strong's Concordance defines this type of love mentioned here as 'agape' love which is far from the type of love we normally show to each other. Agape love is the type of love that God shows to us , unconditional, unwavering and selfless. So we are not only to love each other, but to show that type of love that God shows us to other people, too.

So that is our devotion this week love others with the same love that God has shown us. Next week I will be sharing on joy. Blessings to you and yours until then.

Please join in the discussion on our Ning! 24/7 Inspiration for Moms Group. Please feel free to add any other hints, tips or advice to this 'fruit of the Spirit' series. Anything you can say to help each other in our walk is always good and useful information.

Blessings & Giggles to you & yours,


Stay- at- Home Mommy & Writer

Jeanie Cullip is a happily married, stay-at-home mom of 3 children of her own and 2 step-children. Finding joy, love & hope right in her own back yard and sharing it with her neighbors near and far. She is a freelance writer residing in Gig Harbor. You can read more on her blog Soccer Mom in Giggle Town.

Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net