Goodness… A Fruit of the Spirit
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…” — 2 Peter 1:3
Goodness is not merely a moral attribute or behavior—it is a manifestation of the very nature of God within us, through the Holy Spirit. As a fruit of the Spirit, goodness is not something we produce through willpower or effort. It is the evidence of God’s life at work in us, refining us, and aligning us with His purpose.
Biblical Definition of Goodness
The Greek word used in Galatians 5:22 for goodness is “agathōsynē”, which means intrinsic goodness—especially as a quality that originates from God and is empowered by Him. It implies not just kindness, but uprightness of heart and life. This is goodness that stands firm for what is right, even when it’s costly.
Additional Scriptures on Goodness:
· Romans 15:14 – “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”
· Paul links goodness with spiritual maturity and the ability to counsel others.
· Psalm 23:6 – “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life...”
· God’s goodness pursues us, and that same pursuit flows outward as we walk in His Spirit.
· Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
· Goodness is a life aligned with justice, mercy, and humility.
· Ephesians 5:8-9 – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)...”
· Goodness is part of what it means to live in the light of Christ.
Goodness as Operating According to Design
In his study, “No Power Over Me / Demolishing Satan’s Lies,” Matt Massingale writes, “The next level of the faith progression is observing all the good things God does and becoming an imitator of those things.” Matt’s interpretation connects beautifully with biblical theology: goodness is when something operates according to its God-given design and purpose.
· A hammer is “good” when it builds, not when it destroys.
· A tree is “good” when it bears fruit, as in Matthew 7:17 – “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit…”
· A person is good—not by nature, but by God’s nature within them (Romans 3:12; Mark 10:18). When we operate from our new nature in Christ, we express the goodness of His design.
Goodness IS Operating in Our Purpose:
Since goodness is a fruit of the Spirit, it grows as we operate in our purpose… Operating within our purpose is to do the “good works” God has prepared for us… Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
James 2: 14-26
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
We are saved by grace through faith alone.
"Saved by grace alone through faith alone" is a core Protestant Christian doctrine stating that salvation is a free gift from God, not earned through human effort, but received through faith in Jesus Christ. This belief, a key part of the "Five Solas," emphasizes that God's unmerited favor (grace) is the source of salvation, and faith is the sole instrument by which a person receives it. It is not dependent on good works, which are seen as a result of salvation, not a cause of it.
We are justified by our faith and by our works. What many people don’t realize is that what James is referring to here is justification before men. We are justified to God because of what He did. We are justified to men because of what we do as a result of the Spirit in us.
What Does a Life of Goodness Look Like?
A person who lives a life that reflects goodness would be described as: ethical, seeking righteousness and justice. Their life should reflect work that centers on kingdom purpose. They should be pleasant, helpful, favorable, kind, and giving.
1. Ethical
Walking in moral integrity, even when no one is watching. They speak the truth, do not manipulate, and live with honesty and accountability. (Micah 6:8, Proverbs 12:2)
2. Righteous and Just
Not just avoiding evil—but actively seeking what is right and fair. They are defenders of the vulnerable, champions of equity, and examples of integrity. (Psalm 106:3, Isaiah 1:17)
3. Purpose-Centered
Their life is marked by meaningful, Spirit-aligned work. They live as stewards, not consumers—doing “the good works prepared in advance” by God. (Ephesians 2:10)
4. Pleasant and Peaceful
Not fake positivity, but a soul that brings calm and joy to others. Their presence builds community rather than division. (Psalm 133:1)
5. Helpful and Favorable
They are builders, not breakers—solutions, not stumbling blocks. They contribute positively in families, churches, and communities. (Galatians 6:10)
6. Kind, Gracious, and Generous
They give freely of time, words, and resources without expecting return. Rooted in God’s abundant love, they overflow in generosity. (Luke 6:35, 2 Corinthians 9:8)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit...” — John 15:5
So… How Do We Grow in Goodness?
Not by trying to be “better people,” but by deepening our union with the Spirit. Yet Scripture also calls us to cooperate with the Spirit. Paul says, “Make every effort to add to your faith… goodness…” (2 Peter 1:5). That’s not striving—it’s surrender with intention.
You Don’t Force Fruit. You Foster It… We position for fruitfulness.
Here’s the THRIVE mantra for this week: “I am not trying to be good—I am becoming good by abiding in the One who is Good.”
Remember the Tomato Plant Analogy:
How to Grow Tomatoes and Our Goodness
1. Identity Comes First: It’s a Tomato Plant
The plant doesn’t try to bear fruit to become a tomato—it bears tomatoes because it is a tomato.
Spiritual Truth: We don’t do good to become Christians—we bear goodness because we are rooted in Christ. (John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
This reminds us to live from identity, not performance.
We are not called to produce flowers… We are called to produce fruit. Jesus cursed the fig tree for not producing figs when he was hungry.
2. Sunlight = (maybe) Presence of God
Tomatoes need 6–8 hours of direct sunlight.
Sunlight = God’s presence, His Word, His truth
When we remain in His light, we grow. When we hide in shame or darkness, growth withers.
“In Your light, we see light.” — Psalm 36:9
3. Correct Water = (maybe) Spiritual Nourishment
Too much water causes rot. Too little causes wilting.
Water = Holy Spirit, the Word, worship, prayer
Healthy spiritual rhythms—not burnout or drought—keep us producing.
“He leads me beside still waters.” — Psalm 23:2
4. Aeration = (maybe) Margin and Stillness
Roots need oxygen. Overcrowding the soil suffocates growth.
Aeration = soul margin, Sabbath, silence, space for God
When we’re too busy, hurried, or overstimulated, we stifle spiritual life.
“Be still and know…” — Psalm 46:10
5. Nutrient-Rich Soil = (maybe) Christ-Centered Environment
Tomatoes thrive in soil rich in nitrogen, calcium, and organic matter.
Soil = the community, teaching, habits, and spiritual culture we’re planted in
Healthy teaching, loving accountability, and spiritual encouragement enrich our “root system.”
“Planted in the house of the Lord, they flourish…” — Psalm 92:13
6. Staking = (maybe) Spiritual Support and Boundaries
Tomato plants are staked or caged to stay upright under the weight of their fruit.
Staking = spiritual disciplines, mentors, church, accountability
Without this, even fruitful people collapse under weight or pressure.
“Two are better than one…” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
7. Calcium = (maybe) God’s Truth and Correction
Calcium prevents blossom-end rot—a condition from internal imbalance.
Calcium = correct doctrine, healthy identity, spiritual correction
When we absorb God’s truth deeply, we avoid internal “rotting” like shame, pride, or confusion.
8. Weeds = (maybe) Sin, Distractions, False Beliefs
Weeds steal nutrients and sunlight.
Weeds = sin habits, lies we believe, distractions (even good ones)
They don’t look harmful at first—but left unchecked, they choke out fruit.
“Lay aside every weight and sin…” — Hebrews 12:1
9. Weed Killer / Dog Pee = (maybe) Toxic Influences
Inadvertently spraying weed killer too close or a dog peeing on the plant can destroy root health and contaminate growth.
Toxicity = critical people, toxic media, cultural compromise, gossip, etc.
What (or who) is “peeing” on your root system?
“Bad company corrupts good character.” — 1 Corinthians 15:33
10. Pruning = (maybe) Suffering or Holy Surrender
Gardeners prune tomato plants for bigger harvests. Suckers steel nutrition, water, sunlight, from the fruit producing stems… get rid of them.
Pruning = God’s loving discipline, trials, letting go of lesser things
He removes what hinders—not to punish, but to increase fruit.
“Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes…” — John 15:2
What is Bad Fruit?
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” — Luke 6:3
Discerning the opposite of goodness is a powerful way to help us identify where our lives may be out of alignment with the Spirit. If goodness is fruit, then the absence or opposite of that fruit is a diagnostic of the flesh.
Indicators of a Lack of Goodness
These are not condemnation tools, but invitation markers—to call us back into abiding and spiritual restoration.
Absence of Goodness:
Selfishness
Always seeking personal gain, even at others’ expense
James 3:16
Manipulation
Using people or situations for control or benefit
Proverbs 26:24–26
Critical Spirit
Quick to judge or find fault, slow to show grace
Matthew 7:1–5
Pessimism
Negative outlook, expecting the worst, faithless speech
Numbers 13:31–33
Bad Attitude
Ungrateful, resistant, or rebellious demeanor
Philippians 2:14
Bitterness
Holding resentment or un-forgiveness
Hebrews 12:15
Hypocrisy
Pretending to be good without integrity of heart
Matthew 23:27
Apathy
Lack of compassion or effort in doing good
Revelation 3:15–16
Deceitfulness
Twisting truth for personal advantage
Psalm 101:7
Greed
Always wanting more, stingy with what one has
Luke 12:15
Pride
Self-exaltation and refusal to be corrected
Proverbs 16:18
Isolation
Withdrawing from accountability and service
Proverbs 18:1
Envy
Resenting others' blessings or success
Galatians 5:21
Gossip
Speaking harm about others instead of good
Proverbs 20:19
Impatience
Rushing without care for others or God’s timing
Proverbs 14:29
Neglect
Ignoring opportunities to do good
James 4:17
Cruelty
Delight in others’ pain or misfortune
Proverbs 11:17
Entitlement
Believing others owe you, lacking humility
2 Timothy 3:2
Favoritism
Treating people based on status or advantage
James 2:1–9
Hostility
Quick to argue, slow to reconcile
Galatians 5:20
Self-Examination Prompt: “Lord, where have I been producing fruit that is not from Your Spirit? Where have I resisted the goodness You desire to form in me?”
Which of these opposites do I see most often in my reactions, relationships, or inner thoughts?
Where is God inviting me to repent and re-root in Him?