Fruit is a public testimony to a believer's sensitivity to and dependency on the Holy Spirit. It is the telling sign. Fruit sets the abiders apart from the producers. It is not simply one mark of a Spirit-filled life; it is the preeminent mark. When we see fruit in a life, we know without a doubt that the Holy Spirit has custody over that particular child of God. The person is more than His possession; the person is under His influence.

     The closer you get to believers who are truly walking in the Spirit, the better they look. There is nothing plastic about them. You don't get the impression that they are hiding something. They radiate integrity. You get the impression you could trust them with your most intimate secret. You may even find yourself opening up to them in a way that is uncharacteristic for you.

      Intimidation is not their game. They don't rely on personality and trumped-up enthusiasm to win you over. They seem to be at peace with who they are. And they seem almost anxious to accept you for who you are as well. For that reason, you may feel drawn to them. They are the people you find yourself wanting to be like, not because of a particular skill or talent, but because of the depth of their character.

     We are not talking about perfection. In fact, you will hear more apologies from the lips of those who walk by the Spirit than any other group of people. Their sensitivity to the Spirit provides them with an uncanny ability to know when they have offended or hurt someone. Their internal security allows them to respond quickly once they realize their sin or error in judgment. They are not afraid to admit their faults. They have reconciled themselves to the fact that they are sinners. However, they are aware that they have within them the power to rise above their fleshly appetites and desires.

     Spirit-filled believers make their biggest impression during troubled times. Then it becomes most apparent that the source of their abiding character is something that lies deep within them. When all the crutches and props are kicked away and they are still standing, no one can argue that their uniqueness was simply a byproduct of their environment. They have their down times. They don't win every battle. Doubt and temptation take them out of the race from time to time. But their recovery time is remarkably short. They don't stay down. And once they are back, it's as if they actually benefited from the experience. Specifically, their lives will be characterized by the following nine virtues:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

     I have elected not to give a blow-by-blow description and definition of each quality. In some ways an elaboration would be helpful to our discussion. But it also creates a problem. Let me explain. In preparing to write this, I read several chapters in books that gave expanded definitions of each quality. When I read what each author had to say about kindness, for instance, I quickly became preoccupied with being more kind. I began thinking of all the unkind things I had done and said recently. Then I prayed and asked God to make me a kinder person. I found myself launching out on a mission of kindness.

     When I read their descriptions of gentleness, the same thing happened. I realized how abrupt I am. I was reminded of how insensitive to people's feelings I can be. I caught myself telling God how much gentler I was going to be. Do you see the problem?

• "I need to act more loving."
• "I need to be more patient."
• "I need to exercise more self-control."
• "I'm going to become a more faithful person."
• "I . . . I . . . I . . . I . . . I . . ."

     I believe there is a reason Paul listed these virtues and moved on. They aren't given to us as goals to pursue. Why? Because you and I cannot produce fruit. Remember? That's not our responsibility. The Holy Spirit is the producer. We are merely the bearers. The fruit of the Spirit was never intended to be a demonstration of our dedication and resolve. It is the evidence of our dependency on and sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit.