The Fruit of the Spirit in Apologetics

By Karen Patrick

Faith and Reason Work Together

Apologetics, the reasoned defense of the truth claims of Christianity, is often perceived to be at odds with faith; however, this fails to appreciate how the Holy Spirit works alongside evidence to point people to Christ. One vital role of the Holy Spirit is preparing believers to participate in evangelism. Since apologetics is widely regarded as pre-evangelism—removing barriers to the reception of the gospel—it stands to reason that the way Christians engage with nonbelievers should be an avoidable obstacle.

Norman L. Geisler affirms the partnership of evidence with the Holy Spirit: “Some have charged that the use of reason relating to God. . . is inconsistent with the biblical emphasis on the necessity of the Holy Spirit to convince someone of the truth of Christianity. But the Christian position is that there is no contradiction between reason and evidence on one hand and the work of the Holy Spirit on the other.”¹

Remaining in Christ and Bearing Fruit

In the last of his “I Am” statements, Jesus uses the illustration of the vine and the branches to teach his followers about the importance of being productive fruit-bearers (John 15). He says that he is the vine, and in the same way that branches draw life from the vine, those who place their faith in Jesus draw life from him. They will bear fruit if they remain in him.

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within believers and produce spiritual fruit. Donald K. Campbell observes that “this ‘fruit’ is simply the life of Christ lived out in a Christian. It also points to the method whereby Christ is formed in a believer.”² The work of the Holy Spirit to sanctify and conform believers into the image of Christ can be a powerful apologetic for the truthfulness of Christianity.

Spiritual Fruit Empowers Apologetics

In his letter to the church at Galatia, Paul describes the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23). Since all believers are commanded to give reasons for the hope within them, and to do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15–16), let’s examine this fruit and how it works in the Christian apologist to point people to Jesus.

Spiritual Fruit Begins with God

Love, joy, and peace are “habits of mind which find their source in God.”³ Love is first in the list because “all of the other fruit is really an outgrowth of love. . . This divine love is God’s gift to us. . . we must cultivate it and pray that it will increase.”⁴ Joy is independent of circumstances and rests entirely in God’s sovereignty, resulting in an internal quietness (peace) even in the midst of adversity (Romans 5:5, Philippians 1:9, and Romans 8:28).⁵ The Spirit-controlled Christian apologist lovingly points nonbelievers toward truth and then rests in full assurance that the Holy Spirit will continue to work.

Spiritual Fruit Reaches Out to Others

Patience, kindness, and goodness reach out to others and are fortified by the first three types of fruit. The patient believer resists provocation and demonstrates godly benevolence (kindness) even when it is undeserved (Colossians 3:12 and Romans 2:4).⁶ The   Spirit-controlled Christian apologist remembers that God reached out to her even when she was rebellious and undeserving and trusts him to do the same through her kindness toward others.

Spiritual Fruit Guides Our Conduct

Faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control guide the general conduct of a believer who is led by the Spirit. The faithful believer is trustworthy while submitting to God’s Word and being considerate of others (gentleness). One who is self-controlled recognizes that restraint is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit (James 1:21, 1 Peter 3:16, and Galatians 5:16).⁷ The Spirit-controlled Christian apologist consistently engages with God’s Word so that she conducts herself in a way that reflects Christ.

Reflecting God’s Image Through Bearing Spiritual Fruit

Jesus was the embodiment of grace and truth during his time on earth (John 1:14). As his image-bearers, we are called to remain in him and bear fruit that is consistent with his character through the power of the Holy Spirit. Doing so is a powerful apologetic for our faith.

Notes

1. Norman L. Geisler, “Holy Spirit, Role in Apologetics,” in Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Baker Books, 1999), 330.
2. Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary:  An Exposition of the Scriptures Vol. 2, ed. John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck (Victor Books, 1983-85), 608.
3. Campbell.
4. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary Vol. 1 (Victor Books, 1996), 720.
5. Campbell.
6. Campbell.
7. Campbell.