We want to grow in our faith and in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and also be of service to others, however, sometimes we feel overwhelmed or lost when it comes to actual ideas on how to develop fruits of the spirit in your life.
Here they are, count ’em…20 ideas!!
Whether you are just starting out or have been walking with Jesus for many years, there is something for everyone here! So dive in and get started on cultivating the fruit of the spirit in your life today! 💖
20 Ideas on How to Develop Fruits of the Spirit
First, we must understand what ARE the fruits of the Spirit…
What are the Fruits of the Holy Spirit?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Christians are called to embody these fruits in their lives as a way of living out their testimony to a dying world.
Love is the greatest of all the fruits of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). It is an unselfish, sacrificial concern for others. Christians are called to love God and love their neighbor as themselves. Love is the motivating factor behind all that we do. Matthew 22:37-39 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Joy is a sense of happiness and contentment. Christians can experience joy in the good times AND in the bad. It is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather on our relationship with God. Even when things are tough, we can trust that God is with us and that happiness will eventually come again. In the meantime, we can still have that deep down joy knowing God is taking care of things!
Peace is a sense of calm and tranquility. It does not mean that there are no conflicts or problems in our lives, but rather that we have a deep-seated trust that all will be well in the end. We know that God is ultimately in control and that we can rest in His love and care for us.
Patience is the ability to wait calmly in the face of difficulties or delay. It is often hard to be patient when we are faced with challenges, but Christians are called to trust in God’s timing and know that He will see us through.
Kindness is a quality of being kind, gentle, caring, and helpful. Christians are called to show compassion, kindness, and mercy to others, even those who may be difficult to love. We can express kindness in how we speak to others, how we treat them, and how we serve them.
Goodness is a simple quality of being good. It is an inner desire to do what is right, even when it is not easy. Christians are called to goodness in thought, word and deed. Goodness in thought can be tough, but it is one way to practice when learning how to develop the fruit of the spirit. It is very possible to remain innocent in a wicked and adulterous world. Keep your mind pure. Stay away from as much bad as you can and you can (don’t watch certain movies, hang out in certain places, etc.) to keep yourself pure and good.
Faithfulness is a belief in something without evidence. Christians are called to have faith in God, even when we cannot see Him or understand His ways.
Gentleness is the quality of being kind and soft-hearted. Christians are called to show gentleness to others, even those who may be difficult to love. We can express gentleness every day through all actions, such as verbally, thoughtfully, and physically.
Self-control is the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. Christians are called to live lives that are pleasing to God. This means living according to His laws and principles, resisting temptation, and making choices that reflect our faith.
20 Ways for Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit
Cultivating the fruit of the spirit is a process that takes time and effort. As you learn how to develop the fruit of the spirit, you may find that some methods work better for you than others.
Here are 20 ideas to get you started cultivating the fruits of the Holy Spirit:
1) Pray daily, asking God to help you grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
2) Read your Bible daily, meditating on passages that speak to the fruits of the holy spirit.
3) Spend time in nature, appreciating God’s creation and feeling His peace.
4) Serve others, giving of your time and resources to those in need.
5) Reach out to someone you don’t know well, making an effort to get to know them and build relationships.
6) Show compassion and kindness to those who are hurting, offering a listening ear and words of encouragement.
7) Forgive those who have wronged you, letting go of anger and resentment. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you’re condoning what someone did, nor is it allowing yourself to be “duped” again, but it is an act of letting GOD deal with it, giving it all to Him to judge completely.
8) Stand up for what is right, even when it is unpopular or difficult.
9) Give generously to those in need, giving of your time, money, or resources.
10) Pray for those who are struggling, offering up your concerns to God.
11) Seek out opportunities to learn and grow, taking advantage of resources that can help you develop spiritually.
12) Create a space for stillness and silence in your life, making time for reflection and prayer. This is absolutely VITAL to the Christian life. How can we tend to the needs of others around us if we refuse to take time to rest and rejuvenate ourselves?!
13) Reach out to a friend or family member who you haven’t spoken to in a while, re-establishing ties that may have been strained.
14) Speak kindness and encouragement to someone. Offering words of encouragement to someone who is going through a tough time is a good way to teach someone else how to develop the fruit of the spirit also!
15) Stand up for someone who is being treated unfairly, bringing attention to the situation and offering support.
16) Welcome newcomers into your church or community, making them feel accepted and loved.
17) Make an effort to get to know your neighbors, building relationships of trust and respect.
18) Seek out opportunities to serve in your community, giving of your time and talents to make a difference.
19) Show kindness to those you interact with on a daily basis, from the grocery store clerk to the person who serves you at your favorite restaurant.
20) Live each day with an attitude of thankfulness, grateful for the many blessings God has given you.
Developing the fruits of the holy spirit is a lifelong journey. By taking small steps each day, you can move closer to God and become the person He created you to be.
As you seek to develop the fruit of the spirit in your life, know that God is with you, cheering you on and helping you grow. Pray for His strength and wisdom, and trust that He will work in you to accomplish His purposes.
