The Fruit of the Spirit vs. the Sin of the Flesh: Evidence of Salvation
- Bible Believing Christian
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
The Fruit of the Spirit vs. the Sin of the Flesh: Evidence of Salvation
The Christian life is not defined merely by what we claim with our lips but by what is produced in our lives. Jesus said, “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act… A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” (Matt. 7:16, 18, NLT). Paul echoes this in Galatians 5, contrasting the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. John takes it further, declaring that we can know whether we are children of God or children of the devil by what we practice (1 John 3:7–10).
In other words, the evidence of salvation is visible. Our fruit proves our root.
The Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19–21)
Paul gives a stark list of behaviors that flow from a sinful, unregenerate heart:
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19–21, NLT)
This is not simply a warning against occasional stumbles. The Greek verb tense indicates ongoing practice, a lifestyle habitually characterized by these things. Paul is blunt: those who live in the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)
In contrast, those who walk by the Spirit demonstrate a completely different life:
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Gal. 5:22–23, NLT)
Note that Paul uses the singular — “fruit,” not “fruits.” The Spirit produces a unified character, not a buffet where we pick and choose. This is the evidence of the Spirit’s presence.
Theological Order of Truths
Jesus’ Teaching on Fruit (Matt. 7:16–20)
Good trees produce good fruit.
False teachers are known by bad fruit.
Judgment comes for those who bear bad fruit.
Paul’s Contrast in Galatians 5: Flesh vs. Spirit
The unregenerate produce the works of the flesh.
The Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers.
John’s Clarification (1 John 3:7–10)
“When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning… Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”
John makes the distinction absolute: your life reveals your spiritual parentage.
Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit
Summary: The works of the flesh are evidence of damnation (“will not inherit the kingdom”), while the fruit of the Spirit is evidence of salvation and Spirit-filled life.
Evidence of Salvation or Damnation
This teaching is not about perfection — but direction. A believer may stumble, but if one’s life is characterized by the works of the flesh, Scripture says plainly: they do not belong to Christ. John’s words are sobering: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are.” (1 John 3:10).
Conversely, those who belong to Christ will see transformation. Fruit may grow slowly, but it grows inevitably, because the Spirit is alive within.
Application
Examine your fruit. Do your actions show Spirit-filled life or fleshly indulgence?
Don’t mistake profession for possession. Many claim Christ with their lips but deny Him with their lives.
Pursue Spirit-led living. The fruit grows not by human effort but by abiding in Christ (John 15:4–5).
Conclusion
The contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit is stark. One leads to death and exclusion from the kingdom; the other proves salvation and the Spirit’s presence. Jesus, Paul, and John agree: we are known by our fruit. The evidence of salvation is not hidden — it is visible in how we live, love, and walk by the Spirit.
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Gal. 5:25, NLT)
