The Fruit of the Spirit
How does the Spirit of God manifest itself through us? Often we think that to witness means to speak up in defense of God. This idea can make us very self-conscious. We wonder where and how we can make God the topic of our conversations and how to convince our families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues of God’s presence in their lives. But this explicit missionary endeavor often comes from an insecure heart and, therefore, easily creates divisions.
The way God’s Spirit manifests itself most convincingly is through its fruit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). These fruit speak for themselves. It is, therefore, always better to raise the question “How can I grow in the Spirit?” than the question “How can I make othersbelieve in the Spirit?”
—Henri J. M. Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
We often carry the pressure of “witnessing” as if it depends on our ability to argue, persuade, or speak the right words at the right time. But Henri Nouwen reminds us that the most powerful evidence of God’s Spirit is not in what we say—it’s in how we live. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more—are not just moral virtues. They are the unmistakable signs that God is alive and at work in us.
Rather than striving to make others believe, we are invited to focus on growing in the Spirit ourselves. A tree doesn’t shout about its fruit; it simply bears it. And those who are hungry will notice. So let your life be the message. Let the Spirit shape you so fully that His presence becomes visible in your words, your posture, your choices—even your silence. The most authentic witness is not forced—it’s lived. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics