Inspirational Bible Verses – The Fruits of the Spirit Explained

AKA – Nine Qualities Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids

Many of us at Fresh Fruit Pie are excited about what the Bible has to say about life.  There are a few particular inspirational Bible verses that stick out:  Galatians 5:22-23, what the Bible calls the “Fruits of the Spirit”:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

This concept is big.  Huge. Massive enough to create the foundation for an entire video series – and that’s exactly what we’re doing with Fresh Fruit Pie.

One of our visions is to teach kids about the Fruits of the Spirit in a way that’s relevant to their lives.  No boring lectures or diatribes – just hilarious scenarios they’ll crave to watch again and again – and continue to learn from.

Because we only write humor that both kids and us adult producers (aka big kids) find funny, older folks might learn as much if not more from Fresh Fruit Pie than children.

The first episode, which will be released Fall 2010, is based off the fruit of “joy.”  As we write each additional episode, we keep copies of these inspirational Bible verses handy:

JOY

What Joy means to kids:  Being satisfied with what you have, rather than getting jealous over what you don’t have.

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  (Eccl. 3:12)

Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.  (Psalm 97:11)

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh….Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.  (Luke 6:21-23)

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  (Phil. 4:12-13)

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  (1 Tim. 6:6-9)

PEACE

What Peace means to kids:  Everyone doesn’t have to get along, but solving conflicts peacefully creates less hurt.  Fighting just creates more fighting.

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.  (Psalm 37:37)

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Gal. 5:15)

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.  (Proverbs 16:7)

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.  (Proverbs 25:21-22)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.  (Matthew 5:9)

LOVE

What Love means to kids:   A total lifestyle change of giving to others, especially family, no matter how others treat you actually makes others want to treat you better.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10)

FAITHFULNESS

What Faithfulness means to kids:   If you stick to your goals and be loyal to your friends & family for the long haul, the rewards at the end can be huge.

Well done…You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  (Matthew 25:21)

The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. (Psalm 31:23)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  (James 1:2-3)

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.  (Rev. 2:10)

KINDNESS

What Kindness means to kids:  Reaching out and showing respect to people who are lower than you on the social ladder.

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.  (Proverbs 19:17)

…God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. (Acts 10:28)

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  (Romans 12:15-16)

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ’sinners’?”  On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Matthew 9:10-12)

GENTLENESS

What Gentleness means to kids:  People are different – they have different beliefs, boundaries, and body types.  You’ll make more friends if you can learn how to respect those differences.

Good understanding wins favor… (Proverbs 13:15)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

GOODNESS

What Goodness means to kids:  Making the moral choice when the bad choice seems much more fun and rewarding.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Cor. 10:13)

A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.  (Proverbs 12:3)

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

PATIENCE

What Patience means to kids:  If you wait for the right time to enjoy something, you’ll enjoy it much more than if you HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW.

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. (Proverbs 14:29)

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)

It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:26)

Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. (Hebrews 6:15)

SELF-CONTROL

What Self-Control means to kids:  Too much focus on pleasure can turn you into a broke, sad, overweight oaf.

If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.  (Proverbs 25:16)

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:25)

For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. (Prov. 23:21)

The grace of God…teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-13)

(This one’s one of the trickier ones.  We definitely have our own stories of lack of self-control.)

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