How to Actively Live Out the Fruit of the Spirit in Everyday Life
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
—Galatians 5:22–23
Have you ever bought bananas with good intentions, only to watch them rot on the counter until it’s time to turn them into banana bread? It happens to me all the time. I stick them in the freezer for future muffins, my toddler and husband devour them, and the cycle starts all over again.
This got me thinking about how often we approach our spiritual life in the same way.
The Problem with Letting the Fruit of the Spirit Sit Idle
At the start of the year, or even at the beginning of a new week, we often grab our colorful pens, our fresh devotionals, and our favorite journal with high hopes of drawing closer to God. And while those spiritual disciplines are valuable, we sometimes fall into the trap of spending more time learning about the fruit of the Spirit than actually living it out.
The Bible makes it clear: God wants our first fruits, not just theoretical knowledge of them. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is meant to be active and visible in our lives.
Why Abiding in Christ Produces Spiritual Fruit
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5
The spiritual fruit we long to display doesn’t come from striving or forcing ourselves into performance-mode Christianity. This isn’t a Martha situation. It’s not about checking the boxes or doing all the “right” things.
It’s about abiding in Christ.
When we remain in Him—through prayer, Scripture, and communion with the Holy Spirit—we begin to bear fruit naturally. That fruit ripens within us through His power, not ours.
From Counter to Action: Using the Fruit of the Spirit in Daily Life
Just like bananas need time to ripen before they can be turned into something nourishing, our spiritual growth takes time and connection. Our time with the Lord sets the stage for transformation. It prepares us to not just know about the fruit of the Spirit, but to actually use it in our relationships, parenting, marriages, and daily decisions.
So, here’s a simple challenge:
What spiritual fruit has been sitting unused on the counter of your life?
Which one needs some attention, prayer, or cultivation? Maybe it’s patience. Maybe it’s gentleness. Ask the Lord to help you develop that specific fruit—and then keep your eyes open to how He works through it as you serve Him.
Final Encouragement for Spirit-Led Living
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
— Romans 15:13“And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
— Romans 5:5
Living out the fruit of the Spirit isn’t about perfection—it’s about partnership. As we abide in Jesus and depend on the Holy Spirit, the fruit comes alive in us.
Let’s be women who not only know what the fruit of the Spirit is but who actually use it.
Meet the Author
Heather Bergsma
Heather is loved of the Lord, redeemed by His mercy, and sustained by His grace. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two kids, having recently given birth to her son last month. She enjoys floral design, thrifting, singing, and family time.
She credits her current blessings with a heritage of prayerful women and enjoys recognizing the ways the Holy Spirit is working in lives and the connections He facilitates. Motherhood has led to a season of tremendous growth in her faith and walk with Christ, and she is overjoyed to be able to share the outpouring of His grace with others through Daughter of Delight.
