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
A few months ago, I left work frustrated and angry. I was tired and it was a difficult day. On the way home, I bought fast food and scarfed it down, which is a nasty habit that pops up when I’m stressed (as of this writing, I’m on day 28 of 40 in a prayerful attempt to overcome this vice). After I went home I felt even worse, weighed down by greasy food and guilt, and was grouchy with my wife and kids.
How many of the characteristics in the verses above do you think I failed to live up to in just that one or two hours? I count maybe eight:
lovejoypeacepatiencekindnessgoodness- faithfulness
gentlenessself-control
Most Christians are familiar with the Galatians verses – they are the “fruits of the Spirit,” as penned by Paul. These are characteristics that a believer should exhibit as they grow in Christ. But to be honest, like myself, few Christians can claim that they display all nine fruits, and none can claim that they perfectly do so.
On Beneath the Tangles, much of what we do is based around examining Christians themes by using anime and manga examples. And on each Wednesday, starting next week with R86’s post on love, we’ll do precisely that as we examine anime and manga characters that embody the fruits of the spirit – one character and one fruit each week. So please come back and check out this series – and maybe you can also offer examples and provide instances in your life where you either live up to these fruits, or have failed to do so.