Fruit of the Spirit – lesson 2: LOVE
Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Here there is no conflict with the law.
Two Systems
Paul contrasts two ways of living:
• Life under the Law → external rules, constant struggle with the flesh
• Life in the Spirit → inward transformation, producing fruit
Where Christianity Is Proven
Christianity is not proven:
• in a moment of worship
• or in what I claim to believe
It is proven in daily relationships.
I am known as a Christian by the fruit that shows up in my life.
Ministry shows calling.
Fruit shows maturity.
You can be greatly anointed—and still be lacking in love.
The Fruit Is Singular
The fruit of the Spirit is not nine fruits—it is one fruit: LOVE.
Galatians 5:22–23 (Revealed)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love: ...”
The colon (:) means:
Everything that follows is a description of love:
• joy is love rejoicing
• peace is love resting
• longsuffering is love enduring
• gentleness is love behaving
• goodness is love acting
• faith is love trusting
• meekness is love submitting
• temperance is love controlling itself
The list is not separate from love—it is love in action.
Love Is the Foundation
1 John 4:16
“God is love...”
Love is first because it is the foundation of all spiritual fruit.
Galatians 5 + 1 Corinthians 13
• Galatians 5 → tells us what the fruit is
• 1 Corinthians 13:1–7 → shows us how it behaves
Love in Action
• Love is not selfish
• Love rejoices in truth
• Love is not easily provoked
• Love suffers long (patience)
• Love is kind and merciful
• Love is good and generous
• Love thinks no evil (faith)
• Love is humble (meekness)
• Love is disciplined (temperance)
Two Misconceptions About Love
1. Love is NOT just a feeling
The world defines love emotionally—but Scripture defines it intentionally.
We use one word for everything:
• love for spouse
• love for food
• love for hobbies
But the Bible gives clarity through Greek distinctions:
• Eros – romantic/sexual love
• Storge – family love
• Phileo – friendship love
• Agape – God’s love (selfless, sacrificial)
👉 The fruit of the Spirit is AGAPE.
Agape is a decision to commit to the well-being of another—regardless of their response.
It is not something we produce—
it is something God produces in us.
2. Love is NOT uncontrollable
The world says:
“I fell in love... I fell out of love...”
But God says:
Love is a matter of conduct.
Love Is Proven by Action
1 John 3:10–23 (NLT excerpts)
• We know who belongs to God by love
• If we love others, we’ve passed from death to life
• Let us not just say we love—show it by our actions
• This is His command: believe in Jesus and love one another
1 John 4:7–19
• Love comes from God
• God is love
• If we love one another, God lives in us
LOVE IS ABOUT OUR ACTIONS
What Real Love Looks Like
A. Love is Patient
• Alive when it has time
• Dying when hurried
• Dead when it cannot wait
Patience makes room for people to grow.
B. Love is Kind
• Alive when it cares
• Dying when it forgets
• Dead when it ignores
Kindness is love in practical action.
It adapts.
It inconveniences itself.
It serves.
Truth About Change
People don’t change actions by feelings—
they change feelings by actions.
Motion produces emotion.
Repeated acts of love develop real love.
Final Truth
Romans 5:5
“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost...”
If the root is in you, the fruit will show.
Bottom Line
Love is not:
• a feeling
• a moment
• or a statement
Love is:
• a choice
• a conduct
• a lifestyle of action
Real Christianity is revealed in how we treat people.