June Devotional: Fruit of the Spirit- Goodness
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! - Galatians 5:22-23
Read Galatians Ch.5
In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul is writing to believers who had been influenced by false teachers. These teachers insisted that salvation came not only through faith in Christ, but also through keeping the law. Paul strongly warns against this kind of legalism and repeatedly reminds them that salvation is by faith alone, not by works.
His message is ultimately about freedom — freedom in Christ. In fact, in the NIV translation, Galatians chapter 5 is titled “Freedom in Christ.” Paul explains that true freedom is not the absence of restraint, but the presence of the Holy Spirit living within us.
So what does a Spirit-filled life look like?
Paul answers that question in Galatians 5:22 when he describes the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Some of these qualities seem easy to recognize. Love, joy, and peace immediately create clear pictures in our minds. But “goodness” feels broader and harder to define. What exactly did Paul mean?
Is goodness, goodness of thought? Goodness of action? Goodness in the way we treat people, carry ourselves, make decisions, or respond to difficulty?
The answer is “yes”.
Unlike fruit from a tree, spiritual fruit is difficult to measure. An orange tree always produces oranges, and oranges can simply be counted. But how do we measure goodness? How do we recognize it? How do we know whether it is growing in us?
I believe Paul’s point is that spiritual fruit becomes evident over time. As Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” The presence of these qualities in our lives is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work within us. Paul is not merely giving Christians a checklist of behaviors to perform outwardly. He is describing the natural result of a life surrendered to the Spirit. Fruit is not manufactured - it is produced.
So what is goodness?
Paul uses the Greek word agathōsynē (ἀγαθωσύνη), which carries the idea of active moral goodness — not merely being “nice,” but living in a way that reflects the character of God. It includes integrity, generosity, truthfulness, and a willingness to act for the good of others. You might also say it takes courage to display the kind of goodness Paul is describing. To be clear, the goodness described here isn’t just being “nice”. Niceness avoids conflict. Goodness seeks what is right. Niceness wants approval. Goodness wants holiness. Goodness is not merely the absence of evil. It is active participation in what is righteous.
Lord, thank you for the goodness that you demonstrated in your life. Help us to be a reflection of that for others. We pray that your Holy Spirit would dwell in us and His fruits would be displayed in our lives. Not forcefully contrived, but as an outpouring of your goodness.