"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:22-26)
The Bible tells us that the most desirable character traits are actually the fruit of the Holy Spirit living in us who are in Christ.
These traits are truly wonderful, and only God can develop them inside of us. No amount of piety can ever produce that which the Holy Spirit alone can produce:
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6)
That said, if the Holy Spirit is the one bearing fruit in us, why doesn't He do it at the moment we get saved? Why doesn't He bear fruit in us instantaneously? Why does He take long to develop His fruit in us?
Let's talk about that.
The flesh and the Spirit
The Bible is clear in this: that the flesh and the Spirit do not go together. The Spirit desires to bear His fruit in us, but if we are living in the flesh He will not be able to bear His fruit quickly.
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." (Galatians 5:16-17)
Our submission to God, how much we are yielded to Him, will determine just how quick the Spirit will be able to bear His fruit in us.
We can think about it this way: fruit bearing plants bear fruit faster when they are given the right amount of sunlight, nutrients, and water. When deprived of these conditions, they may take long to bear (even unhealthy) fruit or not bear fruit at all.
If we live in the flesh and do not walk by the Spirit, we can't expect to see His fruit anytime.
So, why doesn't the Holy Spirit bear His fruit in us instantaneously? It's because we need to cooperate with Him and submit to Him in order to see His fruit borne in us: a Christ-like character.
