The Fruits of the Spirit Explained
Paul outlines what is known as the “Fruits of the Spirit,” or behaviors that produce Godly fruit. However, the metaphor, while good, is overused. We've come to the point of "hearing" it without hearing it. So we'll frame these qualities as "Kisses of the Holy Spirit."
-
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
An Unusual “Holiday”
Did you know there's a superabundance of "holidays" that go overlooked yearly? I'm not talking about holidays like Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Instead, there are such "holidays" as National Chocolate Pudding Day and National Strawberry Parfait Day. As if those aren't enough, there's even "Eat a Donut Day," "Jump Out of a Plane Day," and "Pet Your Dog Day" (as if we needed to be reminded to do the last one).
The one I found most fascinating was "National Kissing Day." Yes, sir, it's real! It's also known as "World Kiss Day" and "International Kissing Day." It's an unofficial holiday that's celebrated every June 22. The description I found is: A holiday in which people are encouraged to pucker up and kiss the person they love.
When consensual, kissing is a beautiful thing. Did you know kissing burns six calories a minute? Or that kissing can lead to a healthier mouth and help you build up your immune system (I'll let you figure that one out). In addition, kissing can help relieve stress and indicate affection.
A kiss can have multiple meanings. When parents kiss their children, it means one thing. But when the parents kiss each other, it means something entirely different. In some parts of the world, a greeting kiss on the cheek is customary. In movies, mob kingpins give the “kiss of death.” Some churches encourage giving the "kiss of peace." We even blow kisses for good luck.
So why is this pertinent?
Reframing the Fruit of the Spirit
Throughout the Bible, and especially the New Testament, there's much to be said about interpersonal relationships. Likewise, today's scripture is well-known and admonishes us to practice specific behaviors.
You might call these behaviors metaphorical kisses— those actions that make you and others feel good. But, they are actions that also, in a very definite way, "feed" and nurture us in our growth as followers of Christ.
These behaviors in Paul's letter to the Galatians are also popularly known as the "Fruit of the Spirit." Although, at the same time, Paul uses the metaphor of fruit to characterize these nine virtuous qualities, the metaphor, while good, is overused. We've come to the point of "hearing" it without hearing it. So we'll frame these qualities as "Kisses of the Holy Spirit."
So, let's look at the virtues endowed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Nine Kisses of the Spirit
1) Kiss of Joy
Do you brighten a room with your cheerful attitude? Do you make others glad that you are around? This "kiss" is filled with words of encouragement.
Like the word kiss, the word joy can have different meanings.
Joy can be brought on by circumstances, such as getting a raise or promotion, the birth of a child, or even when your team wins the big game. Anyone can have that joy, but unfortunately, the joy received from those situations and circumstances never last.
Christian joy differs from witnessing Christ active and alive in our world. Christians experience a rush of pleasure when we have an opportunity to serve someone who can't pay us back and celebrate someone else's success when we are filled with love for someone who would otherwise deserve our anger.
But this joy is not natural. It's only available in our lives when the Holy Spirit dwells within our hearts.
When we experience this kind of joy, it's from God. An excellent example is what Jesus referred to when He told his disciples in John 15:11, "I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!"
2) Kiss of Peace
My grandmother called this the gift of Deep Waters. A person whose waters are still and despite outside conflict they are filled with inner peace because of the Spirit's indwelling presence.
Like joy, peace is a quality that Jesus expressly gave His disciples. He didn't say, "My patience I give you." Instead, in John 14:27, He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."
Peace can be difficult, especially when we remove our eyes from God and focus on the world. This is especially compounded when we focus on things like the social media sphere, a world often filled with shouting and a culture of confrontation.
Again, God's "Kiss of Peace" is NOT natural. It comes from living in the Spirit and not what the apostle Paul calls "the flesh." Through this divine peace, we are blessed with qualities we never thought possible to possess.
3) Kiss of Patience
Like a kiss from an aunt, we don't know if we want this “kiss.” Patience is a willingness to let others work and move at their own pace, according to their skills and interests.
Paul's word choice here means to be "far away from anger." A patient person can remove themself from irritation and anger and allow God to work in His timing instead.
However, patience is a virtue that can be lost once you have it. Sometimes in order not to lose patience, we may need to lose our expectations, our need to be correct, or even our need to be in control. In the words of The Beatles, we may need to "Let It Be."
We may not always recognize it, but patience is power. Patience might look like inaction. However, the power of patience lies in the timing of one's action according to the Spirit's leading. This looks like patiently waiting for the right time to act in the right way.
4) Kiss of Kindness/Goodness
These two kisses go hand-in-hand and are marked by a life of high morals and ethical standards.
What is odd about the Greek word that has been translated as "goodness" is that it occurs only four times in the New Testament. Instead, Paul uses a word pointing to God's indwelling presence in our actions.
Goodness is a condition, state, or quality that God alive is in us because only God is good.
Kindness is the arms and legs of goodness. A person trying to be good without kindness is self-righteous. You can't just be kind in your heart; you have to show kindness to someone.
Goodness is a state of being filled with God's presence which gives birth to kindness. Like the other attributes, goodness isn't ordinary as both come from the Holy Spirit.
5) Kiss of Faithfulness
A faithful person is "full of faith," that is, they are brimming with confidence in the faithfulness of God. This person is like Abraham, who, according to Paul in his letter to the Romans, "hoping against hope, … believed." "He did not weaken in faith …". Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations.
Our faithfulness - be it imperfect in any form or fashion - is a virtue that blesses others. When we are faithful, others learn to lean and depend on the one we rely on. To have a loyal friend is one of the rarest gifts. And we can be that person!
6) Kiss of Gentleness
Referencing my grandmother again, gentleness means living by the Golden Rule and treating others as you want.
Gentleness is the absence of aggression from physical, psychological, or emotional abuse. Gentleness is a soft word and an understanding heart.
Paul emphasizes our need for gentleness when he writes a few verses later, "My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness."
Gentleness also reflects the character of Jesus. We cannot truly be Christ-like if we are not gentle. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
7) Kiss of Self-Control
Self-control is a choice of sound judgment and self-discipline, i.e., a person who is dependable and trustworthy. When the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we can become a harbor in the storms, a rock, and a refuge for those in need.
When the Spirit produces in us Self-Control, we can become a person that does not need always to have the last word and a person who can love enough to delay self-gratification. This person knows how to wait, control the tongue, and offer measured responses.
8) Kiss of Love
Paul lists this first, but perhaps it's best to leave it for last because love is the kiss that covers and includes all other Fruit of the Spirit. You lack love if you are impatient, joyless, undisciplined, and proud.
We know intuitively that God's love living in and through us is the crowning virtue of all, as He says: "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (v. 13)
Let’s Be Good Kissers
To the extent that we can express the virtues of Christ — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — we also express the passion of Christ, the very essence of who Christ is, sometimes despite ourselves.
As you prepare to share a smooch with a loved one for National Kissing Day, let us allow the Holy Spirit to renew in each of us the love of Christ by living out his passion and exuberance through the practicing the kisses of — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Let's be good kissers - as those filled with God's Spirit.
TL;DR
Each year, the unofficial holiday, National Kissing Day is held on June 22.
Throughout the Bible, and especially the New Testament, there's much to be said about interpersonal relationships.
Behaviors devoted to developing Christians spirit and faith are known as the “Fruits of the Spirit.” However, the metaphor of produce is overused. We’ve reframed these qualities as the “Kisses of the Holy Spirit.”
Those “Kisses of the Holy Spirit” are:
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfullness
Gentleness
Self-Control
Love
Related Reading
Qualities of a Convicted Heart by Bro. Chris Carter
Changing For the Better by Bro. Chris Carter
How to Problem Solve with God by Bro. Chris Carter
About Christ Church Memphis
Christ Church Memphis is church in East Memphis, Tennessee. For more than 65 years, Christ Church has served the Memphis community. Every weekend, there are multiple worship opportunities including traditional, contemporary and blended services
