What is the true test of spirituality?
The true test of spirituality is the fruit of the Spirit — 'love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control' (Gal. 5:22–23). These nine qualities compose one 'fruit'; together they describe the expression of the character of Christ. The believer living by the river is like the fruit tree Jeremiah describes, and the fruit he will not cease to yield is the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Notice this is one fruit, singular, produced like grapes on a single cluster. As in the physical realm, fruit-bearing takes time: young believers filled by the Spirit show the first signs of fruit, and as they keep walking in the Spirit the maturing fruit becomes the evidence of their growth.
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Source: The Basics The Basics — Peace (canonical doctrine) · Read this lesson in the book →
What this answer is about
Related questions
- What does the Bible teach about the righteousness of God?Rom. 8:29–30 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about righteousness?Rom. 8:29–30 · The Basics
- What is justification?Rom. 8:29–30 · The Basics
- What is the character of God, and how does it relate to sin?2 Cor. 5:21 · The Basics
- What are the three kinds of sin and how is each dealt with?2 Cor. 5:21 · The Basics
- What is the origin of evil in the world?2 Cor. 5:21 · The Basics
- How should a believer respond to fear?2 Cor. 5:21 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about forgiveness?2 Cor. 5:21 · The Basics
See also
- What is the nature of sin?Same lesson · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about freedom?Same lesson · The Basics
- What is the spiritual significance of letting God do great things in our lives?Same lesson · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about death?Same lesson · The Basics
- What is the spiritual life?Same lesson · The Basics
- What is the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life?Same lesson · The Basics
Scripture this answer rests on
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Where this is taught in the book
Lesson 1–3: The Provision—The Cross
Lesson 4–3: Testing—Temptation
Lesson 5–3: The Attack—Satan’s Strategy
Lesson 5–1: The Enemy—Satan
Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace
Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.
