In the Bible God often describes man using the analogy of a tree giving off fruit after its kind. A good tree will give off good fruit and a bad tree will give off bad fruit. This applies not only to man but to God Himself. When the Holy Spirit indwells us we are filled with the good fruit of God. The Father graciously provides access to nine special fruits of the Spirit to those who love Him. These nine holy attributes of God are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Gal 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Psalm 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.
I have often thought the above verse a weird turn of phrase. If you equate the attributes of God as fruit the analogy now makes more sense. God doesn’t explain everything. Some stuff you just need to figure out. God is multi-faceted and we’ll never be able to comprehend the magnitude of God. However, God has indirectly shared with us, through the Holy Spirit, who He is by His fruit which God’s Word tells us is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You don’t need to wonder what God is like any more. Each of us produces fruit that mirrors who we are. We are what we produce and so is God. These fruits of the Holy Spirit give me a sense of who God is and they are a source of comfort. Throughout the Bible I have noticed all of these attributes of God in action with how He deals with Israel and fallen man. I’m so thankful to God for His tender mercies!