The Heart Attitudes of the Fruit of the Spirit
by Katy Kauffman
Have you ever had a beloved teacher, coach, or parent, and their voice got stuck inside your head? I have, and I can still hear their words today.
“The truth is the truth no matter who agrees with it.” – my mom, Beebe
“Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him.” – Dr. Charles Stanley
“People ask me what this world is coming to. And I tell them, ‘It’s coming to Jesus!’” – Dr. Adrian Rogers
There’s another voice that stays with us no matter who comes and goes in our lives. He knows what to do in every situation, and He can give us the grace to do it.
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left’” (Isaiah 30:21 NKJV).
Jesus called Him “the Helper”:
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (Psalm 14:26 NKJV).
The Holy Spirit’s whispers and promptings can calm an angry soul or revive a weakened heart. He can help us to see life from God’s perspective and remind us of God’s promises. He can build within us godly character that refuses what’s hurtful and selfish and embraces what’s loving and right. Character that shines for God, casting a spotlight on why we would want to know Him, love Him, and do life His way.
This post wraps up our series on the fruit of the Spirit. How would each aspect of this fruit encourage us to live? Here are nine “heart attitudes” to practice with the Spirit’s help, things we can say because we have God’s Spirit enabling us to live for Him.
- Love – I will show care and compassion even if those aren’t reciprocated.
- Joy – I will look for God’s investment in each situation and choose a bright outlook on life.
- Peace – I will take my anxieties to God and receive His strength and calmness in return.
- Longsuffering – I will be slow to anger so I can hear from God in this situation and share His love.
- Kindness – When I interact with friends or strangers, I will choose to be kind first because God has been so kind to me.
- Goodness – I will do what’s good so I can build others up, instead of tearing them down.
- Faithfulness – I will be faithful and faith-filled because God’s faithfulness never wanes or grows weary.
- Gentleness – I will keep my strength under control and use it to make a difference.
- Self-Control – I will do things God’s way and in His timing, because I believe in His plan for me and I don’t want what I or sin can make of my life.
Which of these “heart attitudes” resonates the most with you? One that you want to practice or one that you’ve seen in a dear friend or family member? Share your thoughts in the comments, and may each of us say yes to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and the promptings He gives us. His way is so worth choosing!
If you missed any of the posts in our Fruit of the Spirit series, or just want to scroll through them again, you can find them with these links:
