LIVING OUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Five Pillars for Men Following Jesus in the Marketplace

When I experience Paul’s words in Galatians, they are familiar, but for me—and for so many men in the marketplace—they are often misunderstood. Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit” as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Most of us read those nine traits and feel the pull to try harder, to improve ourselves, to meet a spiritual standard we regularly fall short of.

But that’s not what Paul is saying.

These aren’t nine different character goals to grind our way into. They are the single, unified evidence of a life being shaped by the Holy Spirit. They are what naturally grows in us when we walk closely with Jesus.

For the man in the marketplace, this is freeing.
We don’t bear fruit by effort — we bear fruit by abiding.
The more closely we walk with Jesus, the more naturally His character becomes visible in our decisions, tone, leadership, and relationships. The fruit isn’t achieved; it is produced as we stay connected to Him.

And surprisingly, it is the marketplace—more than any other environment—that becomes God’s primary formation lab. Work gives us real people, real deadlines, real tension, real opportunity, and real responsibility. Through daily labor, God shapes us into men who reveal His character.

To make this attribute practical, memorable, and actionable for men at work and at home, we gather the nine fruits into five pillars—five couplings that describe what Spirit-led leadership looks like every day.

Let’s walk through them.

PILLAR 1 — LOVE & KINDNESS: The Agape Presence of a Kingdom Man

Fruits: Love + Kindness
Scripture:

• “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
• “Be kind to one another.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Love is always the first evidence of the Spirit’s work. In the workplace, love shows up through kindness—how you treat people, how you correct, how you carry yourself when tension rises, how you respond when someone frustrates you.

Kindness is love made visible.

Kindness makes space for people.

Kindness opens doors for influence.

For marketplace men, love and kindness soften the sharp edges we often use to “get things done.” This first pillar sets the tone for every other dimension of Spirit-formed leadership.

PILLAR 2 — JOY & PEACE: The Inner Stability of a Spirit-Led Man

Fruits: Joy + Peace
Scripture:

• “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
• “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15)

Joy and peace give a man internal stability when pressures rise. Joy is deep—even quiet—but it roots your identity in God, not in circumstances. Peace is strong—it rules your heart when deadlines close in or conflict shows up unexpectedly.

Together, joy and peace create a non-anxious presence.
A man who carries joy and peace into his home and workplace becomes a stabilizing force—steady, grounded, confident in Christ.

If love and kindness draw people toward you, joy and peace help them feel safe with you.

PILLAR 3 — PATIENCE & FAITHFULNESS: The Long-Obedience Strength of a Godly Man

Fruits: Patience + Faithfulness
Scripture:

• “The testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:3)
• “Well done, good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:23)

Real transformation—spiritual, relational, professional—happens slowly. God forms us through seasons of waiting, through pressure, through unmet expectations, and through daily consistency.

Patience trains us to endure without bitterness.
Faithfulness teaches us to stay committed without drifting.

Together, they create a leader who can be trusted over time.
A patient, faithful man is reliable at work and present at home. He is the same man in every room—and people instinctively rely on him.

This pillar reminds us that genuine maturity is not proven by quick success but by steady obedience.

PILLAR 4 — GENTLENESS & GOODNESS: The Christlike Posture of a Servant-Leader

Fruits: Gentleness + Goodness
Scripture:

• “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” (Philippians 4:5)
• “Overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

Gentleness is strength with restraint.
Goodness is moral clarity with compassion.

Together, they form the posture of a leader who carries authority without crushing others and truth without harshness. Goodness gives direction; gentleness creates safety. Both are desperately needed in the marketplace and the home.

Gentleness de-escalates moments where tempers could flare.
Goodness calls us to choose what is right even when it costs us.

This pillar reflects Jesus—firm in conviction, tender in presence.

PILLAR 5 — SELF-CONTROL: The Spirit-Governed Discipline of a Mature Man

Fruit: Self-Control
Scripture:

• “Like a city without walls is a man without self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28)
• “Make every effort to add… self-control.” (2 Peter 1:5–6)

Self-control stands alone because it protects every other fruit.
Without self-control:
• love becomes inconsistent
• peace becomes fragile
• patience becomes impossible
• goodness becomes selective
• gentleness becomes situational

Self-control is Spirit-empowered discipline—governing reactions, habits, tone, temptations, impulses, and desires. In the marketplace, it looks like:

• handling conflict wisely
• choosing restraint over reaction
• protecting the marriage bond
• staying honest with money and opportunity
• regulating tone and pace
• keeping habits aligned with calling

A self-controlled man is safe, stable, and trustworthy because his life is governed by the Spirit, not by impulse.

THE MARKETPLACE: GOD’S FORMATION GROUND

When we talk about the Fruit of the Spirit, we’re not talking about perfection. We are talking about direction—a life increasingly aligned with Jesus because we are learning to abide in Him.

Your work is not separate from your spiritual life.
Your work is one of the primary places where God matures you.

When we walk with Jesus as we go, we become men who

love well,

lead gently,

decide wisely,

respond peacefully,

and live self-controlled in a world desperate for such men.

This is what I call Attribute #12, a spiritual muscle given by God for our best.

This is the Fruit of the Spirit lived out.

This is how we carry Jesus into our work, our homes, and our calling.