“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Goodness is the next area of the Fruit of the Spirit contained in these verses. When we are discussing goodness as a characteristic that someone is able to possess, I think of someone who is morally upright. A person who does what is right not only when others are looking but when they are alone. Someone who is genuinely able to empathize with others, who puts others’ needs before their own.
As one of the areas of the Fruit of the Spirit, goodness has parts of the other areas embedded in it. As a person develops love, joy and kindness, they are able to develop goodness as well because they all have similar components to them. They each consist of having concern for others more than one’s self, giving of oneself to help others and showing the love of Jesus.
The main way to develop and grow in any of the parts of the Fruit of the Spirit is to maintain a connection with God. That connection is through prayer, reading His word, studying His word, and surrounding yourself with other Christians. There are other ways as well such as listening to music, to sermons or podcasts that are devoted to God.
Most people consider themselves to be ‘good’ people, and I believe they are, but being ‘good’ and consistently demonstrating ‘goodness’ is different. ‘Goodness’ is a characteristic or a trait that a person possesses, where as being ‘good’ is an action that a person does. We can all perform actions for a while, but possessing a trait is showing that characteristic consistently over time.
Heavenly Father, I come before You now and ask that You pull anyone who is struggling with this area of the Fruit of the Spirit in closer to You, so they can feel Your love. I pray that they would seek Your guidance daily. Thank You for always being near us and being willing to help us. I pray all of this in Your Son’s most precious name, Jesus. Amen