The Fruits of the Spirit
“11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God.
14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” - JST 1Cor. 2:11 & 14
We cannot understand the things of God without the Spirit of God to teach us. This is, or should be, the starting point of any spiritual journey. If we are to understand the things of God, we must have the Spirit of God to enlighten us.
This is actually easier than many would think. And many experience the power of the Holy Ghost daily without knowing it or recognizing it. It comes with simple insights, intuitions, realizations and feelings of peace and unity. The goal is to have and recognize this influence with us continually.
When we choose to follow and accept its influence, we become more attuned to its presence. When we choose to ignore or deny its influence, our sensitivity and awareness to it becomes dull.
For this reason, it is imperative that we learn to recognize the fruits of the spirit. As we begin to feel the spirit and accept its guidance, all the gifts of the spirit quickly become available to us. Our ability to recognize and follow the promptings of the spirit directly influences our spiritual progression, miraculous experiences and ultimately our exaltation.
What IS the fruit of the spirit?
“22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” - Gal. 5:22-23
The fruit of the spirit is found within the person influenced by the spirit and relates to what they are experiencing. Because these feelings are good and invite and entice those who feel them to do good, they come from God. Mormon explains why this is so,
"10. Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift.
11. For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil.
12. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." - Moro. 7:10-13
There are some who believe that Satan can trick us by using the good fruits of the spirit to do evil. The devil cannot mimic the fruit of the spirit. The fruits of the devil, (who is the evil spirit in contrast to the good spirit), are hate, envy, selfishness, ego/pride, guilt, fear, anger, agitation and frustration against such all laws are written.
The fruit of the Holy Ghost is protected ground and off limits to Satan because it is the ONLY sure way for us to know God. If it were possible for Satan to mimic the Holy Ghost, then 2 things would happen:
- The Holy Ghost could not be trusted and any witness we did receive would be in question.
- The devil would be fighting against himself.
We are divinely designed not to be lead astray by these internal fruits. When we feel these fruits of love or peace for example, we also desire to do good!
All the laws and teachings of the prophets are summed up in two points. Love God and love your neighbor, (Matt. 22:36-40). It is impossible to love and not fulfill all the laws of God because they are based on Love, (Rom. 13: 8, 10, Gal. 5: 14, James 2: 8).
So, if the devil can encourage us to Love, then he would be doing good, and would be building the kingdom of God. Along with Love; Peace, longsuffering, patience and other good feelings, (which help us to treat others as God instructs), all come from God and are of no use to the devil. God’s goodness unites people with love in harmony and peace, even when they have major differences. Christ explained this when he taught, “if ye are not one, ye are not mine.” (D&C 38:27)
This was further illustrated when the apostles were disturbed by a man who was not part of their group and did not follow after the apostles but was found casting out devils. The account is recorded as follows:
“38. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40. For he that is not against us is on our part.- Mark 9:38-40, Luke 9:49-50.
If Satan were to do good, inspire love or cast out devils, then he would be encouraging good and acting on God’s side, not against God. Just as these good fruits come from God, so do all negative feelings come from the devil and produce evil, separation, pride, selfishness, disunity, and war.
Consider this simple comparison of both good and bad fruits in no particular order:
| Good Fruit | Bad Fruit |
| Love
Gratitude Joy Excitement Hope Faith Satisfaction Patience Peace Acceptance Self Worth |
Annoyance
Worry Criticism/Blame Anger Revenge Hate Resentment Guilt Unrest Depression Fear |
We all know when we have negative feelings and when we have positive feelings. Some may be stronger than others, but we can tell whether our feelings are positive or negative, pleasant or disturbing. We cannot be under the influence of positive uplifting feelings and negative critical feelings at the same time. The positive will always dispel the negative like a light dispels the darkness, (1 Jn. 4:18, Moro. 8: 16).
All good feelings come from God and are uplifting, encouraging and enabling. A person cannot experience these feelings without doing good and thinking of other’s benefit because these feelings are the fruits of goodness. And, as the sweet fruits of fruit bearing trees have seeds that bring forth good fruit bearing trees, so do the fruits of goodness contain the seeds of goodness.
Just as an apple contains seeds that can be planted to produce another apple tree, so the fruits of goodness contain the seeds which can produce more goodness. And, as an apple seed will never produce a cactus, neither can Love, peace or any other good fruit be planted in our hearts and produce the results of hate, unrest or any other evil fruit.
Because these attributes are experienced internally, they may be difficult to see in others. We also must remember that we are all still progressing toward the end goal and spend our time influenced by both sides of the spectrum at some point. So, to say a person is either all good or all bad would be incorrect as we all fluctuate between the two sides. We also experience degrees of each side. Sometimes we are full of intense love, and sometimes we are full of intense hate. Other times we might be pleasantly satisfied and at peace or mildly discouraged or generally sad.
In relation to this topic, we must consider our philosophies and beliefs which determine how we view or perceive the world and the actions of those around us. For example; is our belief schema full of doctrines and philosophies which separate, criticize and judge others? (For example: racist notions or poor parenting philosophies). If so, our hearts will be full of hate, distain and other negative feelings. We can then use this principle to determine if our currently accepted beliefs or considered new beliefs are good and of God or not,..
“15. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. - Moro. 7:15-17
Remember that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness and temperance:” (Gal. 5:22-23) These are all positive feelings which are felt in our heart.
“Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” - D&C 8:2
When the Spirit is present, we will always feel it positively in our heart and be enlightened in our minds. We are told in our minds as we consider the doctrines being taught. While pondering the message in our minds, a feeling will come to our hearts. The feeling will be either positive or negative, uniting or separating.
The Holy Ghost which “enlightens our minds” & “dwells in our hearts” is always accompanied by positive feelings. In this way, the Holy Ghost will teach you all things. That is the plain and simple way to judge.
EVERY TIME!!!
Because the spirit cannot dwell in unholy temples, if we have the spirit and its fruits, then, we are found worthy and holy and our actions are justified.
“And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples-“ - Hel. 4:24, (See also: D&C 97:17, Mosiah 2:37, Alma 7:21 & 34:36)
If we choose to receive the Holy Ghost, its very presence sanctifies us, (3 Ne. 27:20). This in turn helps us to maintain the fruits of the spirit as a constant companion comfort and guide.
All good teachings, doctrines and philosophies invite and entice us to do good, and so to have these good feelings or fruits. This was explained very clearly by Alma as he spoke of trying the words of others which he compared to seeds…
“28. Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me...
31. And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness...
35. O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good...
42. And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.” – Alma 32:28, 31, 35, 42
So, what is this fruit which is most precious and pure above all? Why it is the Love for, from and like God, (1Ne. 10:10-18, 1Ne. 11:8-25). And not just love, but accompanied with peace, joy, gentleness, forgiveness and all the other most wonderful and desirable experiences of heaven.