The fruit of the Spirit
Paul describes the Spirit's work in a person as fruit, a deliberate image. Fruit is not manufactured by effort, it grows from a healthy plant over time. Love, joy, peace, and patience are not items to grind out by willpower, they are what the Spirit produces in a life surrendered to Him. This reframes Christian growth. The aim is not to fake the right behavior but to stay connected to the Spirit, who grows the real thing from the inside. Change of this kind is usually slow and steady, more like a tree maturing than a switch flipping. Pay attention to where the Spirit is already growing something in you, and cooperate with Him rather than striving in your own strength.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 · ASVPaul lists the fruit of the Spirit, beginning with love, joy, and peace. He frames these as what the Spirit produces, set against the works of the flesh listed just before.
and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.
Romans 5:5 · ASVPaul says God's love has been poured into believers' hearts through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is named as the means by which God's love is experienced inwardly.
(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Ephesians 5:9 · ASVPaul says the fruit of the light is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. The verse ties visible goodness to the Spirit's work in a person.
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 · ASVPaul says the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The marks of the kingdom are tied directly to the Spirit's presence.