You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: 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. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. - Galatians 5:13-26
Notice that it says the fruit of the Spirit, this is not plural, it is singular. It is one fruit with many layers. Let's go through each layer and gain some understanding.
Love - (1 Corinthians 13) Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is humble, honorable, selfless, not easily angered, is forgiving, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, and never fails.
Joy - (Proverbs 12:20; 15:20, 23;) Joy promotes peace, it is wise, has control over the tongue, righteous, praises God, uplifts and encourages others, is eternal in Jesus Christ.
Peace - (Philippians 4:7) Peace is from God, it is beyond our understanding, it guards our heart and mind, it comforts us, brings joy, is a blessing, and brings righteousness.
Forbearance -(Romans 3:25-26) Forbearance is having self-control, patience, long-suffering, it promotes growth and strength.
Kindness - (Isaiah 54:8; Titus 3:4-8) Kindness is compassion, selfless, caring, enduring, and soul-saving.
Goodness - (Romans 12:21; Galatians 6:10; 2 Peter 1:5-7) Goodness is self-sacrifice, godliness, perseverance, humble, patient, and seeks love.
Faithfulness - (1 Corinthians 4:2; Revelation 2:10; Matthew 25:21; Titus 1:6) Faithfulness is trustworthy, obedient, strong, an overcomer, unwavering, and loyal.
Gentleness - (Colossians 3:12; Proverbs 15:1; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 4:5-6; Philippians 4:5) Gentleness is wise, caring, comforting, kind, compassionate, meek, loving, godly, and demonstrates God's Word.
Self-Control - (1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 5:6-8; Proverbs 16:32) Self-Control is patient, disciplined, righteous, requires strict training and preparation, godly, blameless, fruitful, protected, holy, loves good, single-minded, focused.
Analyze your life and heart to see if you have the fruit of the Spirit and reflect on what areas you need to improve on. Personally, I am working on a few of these and as Christians, we should always be growing and improving, never settling or becoming complacent in life.
In the Bible quote of Galatians 5, "If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other" are true words presenting itself to us today in the News Media, Politicians and Special Groups. People need to wake up, use their own mind instead of repeating the same propaganda being shouted or you may be with the crowd as also the Bible states in Romans 1, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools". Love each other for we are all in the human race and each needs forgiveness, mercy and kindness given by others.