“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:16
Most of us love this scripture and have it memorized. However, let’s walk through application of this scripture in the context of marriage. Firstly, fruit is for others. The apple tree doesn’t eat its own fruit, people do. So the fruit of the Spirit is fruit we can offer our spouse. It’s not for us or about us; it’s about feeding our spouse a diet of spiritual fruit that grows through us to them on a regular, even daily basis.
The first fruit is love. I believe this is the core of all the fruit. If I love Lisa and I think more about her needs than mine then I am definitely more likely to give her the fruits of the Spirit to eat, instead of my fleshly fruits. So when I fail at having fruit, it’s a failure of love at that moment.
All of us fail to love at times. Some of us have accidental fruits of the Spirit. We can, however, be intentional at loving and walking in the Spirit of love and offering its fruit. A spouse on a regular diet of love (barring addiction or a personality disorder) would grow on such a good diet from their spouse.
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To read more about the Fruits of the Spirit in Marriage, purchase Miracle of Marriage by Douglas Weiss, Ph.D. While you are reading this book or researching this topic, if any time questions come up we are here to answer any questions. You may contact Dr. Weiss via his website, drdougweiss.com, by phone at 719-278-3708 or through email at heart2heart@xc.org.
{About}
Douglas Weiss, Ph.D., is a nationally known author, speaker and licensed psychologist. He is the executive director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the author of several books including Servant Marriage, Sex, Men and God, Intimacy; and his latest, Worthy: Exercise and Step Book.
