Paul contrasts the difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit that the Spirit produces in the life of the believer. Paul uses the analogy of a tree and what it produces as a result of natural growth. These spiritual characteristics are the result of being grounded in Christ, and cultivation by the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, who is empowered by the Spirit of God.
It is important to note that the fruit of the Spirit is singular unlike the works of the flesh. The fruit Paul speaks of is a new nature that is manifested through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit that is produced is the outward sign of the inward work of the Holy Spirit, transforming the believer into the image of Christ. Jesus said,
“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” (Matthew 7:16–18, NASB95)
In Paul’s opening address to the church of Colossae (Col. 1:3-14), he commends the church for “bearing fruit and increasing” as a result of receiving and being grounded in the Word of God. God’s Word is the fertile soil in which the believer is nourished, and the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is the outgrowth of a life that is surrendered to a spiritually maturing life. For the believer there is no law that can create a new nature. A new nature is the outgrowth of God’s redemptive work in a life that is rooted in the Word of God. Where are you rooted? Are you grounded in the world or the WORD? If you would like to know, check your life and see what it is producing.