Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Good things come from the Spirit’s indwelling in our lives. As the Holy Spirit does his work our character changes. Where we were once selfish, cruel, rebellious, and spiteful, we now exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All the fruit of the Spirit reflect the character of God. Goodness is one that relates directly to morality.
Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It is a life characterized by the motivation to be righteous and desire to be a blessing. It’s a moral characteristic of a Spirit-filled person. In Greek the word translated “goodness,” is defined as "uprightness of heart and life." It is goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous.
Someone with goodness will selflessly act on behalf of others. Confronting someone about a sin demonstrates goodness. So do giving to the poor, providing for one’s children, visiting the sick, volunteering to clean up after a storm, and praying for an enemy. Expressions of goodness are as varied as the Spirit is creative.
Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own. James 1:17 says, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." This certainly includes a life characterized by goodness. In letting the Holy Spirit control us, we are blessed with the fruit of goodness. As others see our good works, they will praise our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
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