Good morning, Five Minute Families. Last week, we replayed our original Five Minute Family recording. That’s because while we are called Five Minute Family, the goal has never been to encourage you to spend only five minutes a day with your family. The goal was to point out how we all have to start somewhere, even when we have colossally failed previously. So, we encourage families to begin thinking intentionally about five strategic minutes of each and every day. Once your five minutes have been established, the growth can begin to multiple.

Much like the fruit of the Spirit. Listen to these verses from Galatians 5:

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (1) … For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (5) … For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (13-14) … But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (16) … But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. (22-25)

Briefly, let us address that the nine attributes listed in verses 22 and 23 are referred to as the fruit, not fruits. We don’t want to delve too deeply into the controversies people will make, but we do need to point out that an apple tree does not produce oranges. And, since fruit refers to the product or result of something and the Holy Spirit is one “tree,” we are all capable of all nine attributes of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, whether you call the nine attributes fruit or fruits, remember that the Holy Spirit is where the growth comes from.

For example, we cannot excuse our personal habits or weaknesses by saying, “well, I am not a patient person.” With the Holy spirit, patience is not only possible, it is a product of when we are walking in the spirit as to our own flesh. And, yes, I am speaking to myself way more than to any of you on that one!

Yet, fruit does not just appear. It must go through all the stages of growth and growing seasons. Some seasons are short, some are long, there are droughts and rainfalls. If we hold tight to God’s truth that the Holy Spirit is inside of us and that when we stay planted in the fertile soil of His truth, then no matter what, we will show some level of growth.

Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.”

2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Luke 17:5 “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

Colossians 1:10 “We pray that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

Psalm 92:12-14 “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon: planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age.”

As we were planning this series, I made a tree graphic. Interestingly, when Jim looked at it, he pointed out that the Holy Spirit is the tree. Then, from top to bottom, I listed the fruit. Yet, when you think of how the tree grows, the top is only possible with a strong base. The top brings the crowning beauty and shows the efforts that have been put into growth.

So, for our Fruit of the Spirit series, we are actually going to start with self-control.

Please join us next week as we take a deep dive into each attribute of the fruit of the spirit. We pray that God will bless you and your family as you choose to be intentional with your time, extending God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness at every opportunity. Be blessed!