Holy Bible Online 
The main differences between the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh are: the fruit of the Spirit builds up the person, blesses those around them, and worships God. Against this fruit, there is no law or condemnation. On the other hand, the acts of the flesh and all its facets result in the destruction of the person and eternal death.
The passage about the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh was cited in the letter from the Apostle Paul addressed to the Galatians. Here are the main traits of the Acts of the Flesh and the 9 characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit:
The Works of the Flesh
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul describes the acts, or works of the flesh: "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like."
The fruits of the flesh represent everything that does not come from God. They are the actions of our sinful nature. The flesh symbolizes our fragility and tendency to sin. Although Paul lists some characteristics, the works of the flesh go beyond those highlighted in Galatians. Our nature constantly tends to lean towards these pitfalls, which requires us to be very vigilant and engage in a continuous struggle against our flesh.
When we give in to our carnality, we distance ourselves from the Holy Spirit. As a consequence, the fruits of the Spirit are weakened by the works of the flesh. Light and darkness do not coexist, so the fruits of the flesh, like weeds, seek to suffocate the fruits of the Spirit.
As stated in Matthew 26:41, we must watch and pray to avoid falling into temptation, for "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Paul warned us not to confuse our freedom in Christ with indulgence, acting against God’s will. We must be prudent and always vigilant:
"Brothers, you were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another in love.
- Galatians 5:13
Despite being weak, we have a strong God! We are a new creation in Christ. He is the source of the fruit of the Spirit! The more we feed on Him, the more the Holy Spirit will fill us. The result of the presence of the fruits of the Spirit is the building up of our lives. Fed by the Holy Spirit, we also build up the lives of our brothers, pouring out the fruits of the Spirit and sharing God’s love.
Life with Jesus is like a tree that grows, matures and bears fruit. As you grow with Jesus, the Holy Spirit transforms your life, making you more mature. Sometimes called "fruits of the Spirit", in reality they are 9 aspects of the fruit of the Spirit in one's life:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
- Galatians 5:22-23
1. Love
God is love! Love is the most important characteristic for a Christian. Without love, the Father would not have given the Son; without love, there would be no sacrifice. Without love, the Son would not have sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us. Without love, it is impossible to have the other virtues of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Jesus throughout His journey emphasized the importance of love. When Jesus summarized the Lord's commandments into just two, He used love as the fundamental element (Matthew 22:37-39). All His behavior during His ministry was based on love. We, as imitators of Christ, must have love as the primary way to deal with others and fulfill our responsibilities.
Only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can truly love God and love their neighbor. When we treat everyone with love, we reflect the face of Christ and grow increasingly in spirit. The heart where the Holy Spirit dwells treats everyone with love!
2. Joy
When we rejoice in the Lord, we are not moved by the circumstances of life but by the certainty of salvation in Christ. Understanding that we have been reached by God's love makes our lives more joyful!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
- Philippians 4:4
A joyful servant of God has a grateful heart that recognizes the Lord's deeds. This is the true joy that temporary life situations cannot take away: the joy generated by the Holy Spirit! Joy in the Holy Spirit is capable of overcoming pain and sadness. With this joy, we can face all tribulations. We can stimulate this joy through reading the Word, praising, and praying to God.
The Apostle Paul was a great example of how joy in the Lord strengthens and builds us up, regardless of the situations. Even when beaten and unjustly imprisoned, Paul and Silas were able to sing hymns to the Lord inside the prison (Acts 16:25-26). Only the Holy Spirit can move us in this way. Praise stirred the heart of God - shaking the foundations of the prison - and a great movement occurred in that place!
Although everyone can experience momentary joy, only the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit is lasting.
3. Peace
One of the most precious things the Holy Spirit brings into our lives is peace. This peace surpasses all understanding, comforts us - regardless of circumstances - and refreshes our soul. The peace that the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts is inexplicable!
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- John 14:27
Although difficult to explain, this peace is accessible to all who have the Holy Spirit. Through reading the Word and our relationship with God in prayer, we receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This presence drives away all anxiety and fear from our hearts. There is nothing to fear when we are certain that God is in control of our lives and that "all things work together for the good of those who love God" as written in Romans 8:28.
4. Patience
Being patient is a characteristic of those who have the fruits of the Spirit. It is about how we react to the things happening around us. Patience requires the Christian to have complete trust in God. A person who knows that God acts at the right time does not need to become impatient to the point of sinning.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
- James 1:19
We have this assurance when we strengthen our faith by seeking the Holy Spirit. The more we seek God, the more we trust Him and become more patient. The Holy Spirit removes aggressiveness, avoids anger, and takes away feelings of despair. Those who have the Holy Spirit wait and trust in God!
5. Kindness
Anyone who serves the Lord must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
- 2 Timothy 2:24
Being kind is one of the marks of those who follow in Christ's footsteps. Those who have the Holy Spirit are kind to others in both speech and action. It gives us the sensitivity to perceive the value of a life.
Every life has value to the Creator and should be treated with love and compassion. Treating others with love is preserving oneself and preserving others. Whoever is kind understands that they were loved first!
Jesus was the greatest example of what it means to be kind. His presence was pleasant and calmed everyone around Him. Wherever Jesus went, He transformed the environment, and everyone enjoyed being near Him and hearing His voice.
6. Goodness
Goodness is a way of action of the Holy Spirit. God is good, and everything we receive from Him is through His grace and goodness. Those who have the Holy Spirit reflect this goodness in their actions and in their relationships with others.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Ephesians 4:32
The goodness generated by the Holy Spirit drives away the malice from our sinful nature. Those who are led by the Holy Spirit act with goodness in their hearts, see everything with good eyes, and enjoy doing good!
Acts of kindness are reflections of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. When we benefit from God's goodness, we share the grace we have received by being kind to others.
7. Faithfulness
God is faithful, and we are a result of His faithfulness. Just as the Father, the Son kept His word, and we received the Holy Spirit. As children of God, we must be faithful to Him and maintain our good testimony with men.
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 1:9
We must be loyal to Christ just as God is with us. Faithfulness in our lives becomes concrete when the word we receive from God is practiced. By obeying the counsel of the Holy Spirit, we exercise our faithfulness to God.
Our faithfulness to God reflects the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the fruits of the Spirit, there is no room for lies or half-truths. Those who walk by the Spirit walk in righteousness and have a good reputation, a reflection of their faithfulness to God.
8. Gentleness
When we act with gentleness, everything changes! Our temperament affects the behavior of others. The Holy Spirit is like this: it overflows and is contagious.
to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
- Titus 3:2
A peaceful and gentle heart is driven by the Holy Spirit. When we reach this level, we are able to control ourselves and calm those around us. In this way, by acting with gentleness, we can build up lives that need to be reached by God.
Jesus always treated everyone with gentleness; people came to Him in desperation and pain. He listened, poured out His favor, and despair was transformed into joy. Even when questioned by His persecutors, His gentleness was disconcerting: the presence of the Holy Spirit dispels the darkness.
9. Self-Control
Submitting our wills to obedience to Christ is something that must be pursued at all times. The world offers many "opportunities" that actually aim to lead us away from the path of the Lord and grieve the Holy Spirit.
"Each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God." (1 Thessalonians 4:4-5)
When we are off the path of the Lord, we are led to do things we do not want to do, reacting to any stimulus: the world only emphasizes carnal desires. The world is under the influence of the evil one; it is up to us to develop - with the help of the Holy Spirit -self-control and wisdom to avoid the traps of the flesh.
Self-control is part of knowing our limitations, understanding that we are weak and dependent on God's mercy. There are situations where we can control ourselves, but there are also moments when only the Holy Spirit can deliver us. That is why a servant of God must always be in tune with the Holy Spirit to discern situations, control oneself, and remain steadfast.
Let the Holy Spirit transform your life! Grow and experience the fruit of the Spirit!