1 John 5 - CEV Revised 2006 (Global CEV) (CEVUS06)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

A Fresh Look for a Generation Seeking Real Faith

You’ve probably seen the list on a church wall, a t-shirt, or a Pinterest post:
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control.
That’s the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

But here’s the thing: these aren’t just “nice Christian traits” you try to copy. They’re evidence that something supernatural is growing inside you, something the Holy Spirit is actively forming. Let’s break them down one by one in a way that speaks to real life.

1. LOVE

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18

We live in a world where love is often performative. It’s in captions and emojis, but not always in action. The Holy Spirit teaches us to love people even when they’re difficult, unlovable, or don’t benefit us.
Real love:

Listens before speaking
Forgives even when it hurts
Stays when it’s easier to walk away

2. JOY

“Though you have not seen him, you love him… you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” – 1 Peter 1:8

Joy is different from happiness. It’s not tied to a vibe, a relationship, or a goal. Joy is deep and steady.
You can be battling anxiety and still carry joy. You can be broke and still feel joy. Why? Because joy is rooted in who God is, not what life looks like.

3. PEACE

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

Peace isn’t passive. It’s fierce trust in the middle of chaos.
For young people constantly hit with bad news, mental pressure, and overthinking, peace feels rare. But the Holy Spirit anchors us when the world spins. Peace shows up in how we handle pressure, stay grounded in prayer, and choose surrender over control.

4. PATIENCE

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2

We’re an instant generation, streaming, deliveries, dating apps. We’re wired for now.
But spiritual maturity grows in the slow seasons. Patience is learning to:

Wait without whining
Love people who don’t “get it” yet
Trust God’s timeline, not your own

It’s not natural, but it’s powerful and deeply needed in a culture obsessed with speed.

5. KINDNESS

“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” – Romans 2:4

Kindness isn’t just random acts. It’s intentional compassion.
It’s DM-ing someone just to check in.
It’s being gentle when you have every reason to be cold.
It’s choosing not to clap back even when you could go viral.
Kindness is powerful because it reflects the kindness God showed us.

6. GOODNESS

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21

Goodness is about integrity when no one’s watching.
It’s not about being a “good person”, it’s about choosing what’s right, even when it costs you.
It’s:

Being honest when you could cut corners
Calling out injustice, even if it’s unpopular
Living with purity in a world that celebrates compromise

7. FAITHFULNESS

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’” – Matthew 25:21

This one’s about showing up in relationships, in responsibilities, and in your walk with God.
Faithfulness says:

“I’ll keep praying, even when I feel nothing.”
“I’ll show up for my friends when it’s not convenient.”
“I’ll follow through on what I said.”

In a culture that glorifies jumping ship, faithfulness is countercultural—and deeply beautiful.

8. GENTLENESS

“Let your gentleness be evident to all.” – Philippians 4:5

Gentleness isn’t weakness. It’s controlled strength.
In a world where loud = power, the Spirit teaches us a quieter strength.
Gentleness shows up when:

You disagree without disrespecting
You lead without dominating
You correct without crushing

Jesus was gentle with the broken and we’re called to be like Him.

9. SELF-CONTROL

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” – Proverbs 25:28

Without self-control, everything else crumbles.
It’s the Spirit saying:

“Don’t send that text.”
“Pause before you scroll.”
“Say no when you know it’s not worth it.”

This fruit guards your peace, protects your witness, and empowers you to make decisions that align with your purpose not your impulse.

Final Thoughts: Fruit Takes Time

You don’t become a walking, talking Fruit Basket overnight.
But if you stay rooted in Jesus, the Holy Spirit will grow this fruit in you gradually, powerfully, and authentically.

You might not see it every day. But others will.
And in a world craving something real, the Spirit’s fruit is the loudest quiet message you’ll ever carry.

Ask Yourself:

Which fruit comes easiest for me?
Which one is God stretching in me right now?
How can I lean into the Spirit more today?

Next Step:

If you’re serious about growth, start a “Fruit Check” journal every week, reflect on one fruit and ask:

“How did I live this out or not this week?”

Spiritual growth isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And you don’t walk it alone, the Spirit walks with you.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.-2

Prayer is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, serving as a direct line of communication with God. The Bible offers numerous verses that can guide and inspire us in our prayer life. Here are seven Bible verses that can help you to pray:

1. Matthew 6:9-13

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

The Lord’s Prayer, provides a perfect model for prayer. It includes elements of praise, submission to God’s will, requests for daily needs, forgiveness, and guidance. Using this structure can help us cover all aspects of our spiritual life in prayer.

2. Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

You are encouraged to turn your worries into prayers. This verse emphasizes importance of approaching God with your needs and anxieties, coupled with a heart of gratitude. This verse reminds you that prayer is a means to relieve anxiety and to trust in God’s provision.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Praying continually doesn’t mean being on our knees all day but maintaining a constant awareness of God’s presence and turning to Him throughout our day. It encourages an attitude of gratitude and joy in all circumstances.

4. James 5:16

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

James 5:16 emphasizes the power of communal prayer and confession. It encourages us to support each other through prayer and to recognize the importance of a righteous person’s prayer. You are encouraged to seek out prayer partners and to be diligent in your intercessions for others.

5. Romans 8:26

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

You can find comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit assists you in your prayers, especially when you are uncertain about what to pray for. The Spirit’s intercession ensures that your prayers align with God’s will, providing a deeper connection in your communication with God.

6. Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Jesus assures you that your earnest seeking and asking will not go unanswered. This promise can bolster your confidence in approaching God with your needs and desires, knowing that He listens and responds.

7. 1 John 5:14-15

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

God is attentive to your prayers. It highlights the importance of aligning your requests with His will, giving you confidence that your prayers are heard and will be answered in accordance with His divine plan.

Conclusion

Prayer is a powerful and essential practice in the Christian life. These seven Bible verses offer guidance, encouragement, and assurance in our prayer journey. By meditating on and incorporating these scriptures into your prayer life, you can deepen your relationship with God, approach Him with confidence, and experience the transformative power of prayer.

What is prayer?

Just as how we communicate in order to keep our relations intact, we should also be in constant touch with our Father in Heaven. One way of doing that is through prayer. Prayer is the communication between us and God. We can boldly go to Him in prayer and tell him how we feel, what we desire, seek guidance etc. Prayer is giving our attention to God in a two-way spiritual relationship where we talk to God and also listen to Him. Prayer is like a child’s conversation with their father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things they need, or to ask for advice or guidance.

Who should pray?

Prayer is an open invitation extended to everyone, regardless of their circumstances, background, or status. The Bible is explicit in its encouragement for all people to engage in prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), the Apostle Paul encourages believers by saying, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This passage conveys that prayer is not limited to a select few but is a continuous and open invitation for all believers.

So to answer the question, “YOU” should pray.

Why should you pray?

When you receive Christ into your heart, you become a child of God and have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at any time about anything. The Christian life is a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity.

There are many promises in God’s Word to encourage us to pray, such as: “He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him” (Psalm 91:15); “And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24); “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). These Scriptures assure us that God hears and answers prayer.

When should you pray?

You should pray at all times.

1 Thessalonians 5 v 17 “Pray without ceasing”.

The Bible is clear that we should pray always–And we should. However, there are some circumstances in our lives that should trigger immediate prayer. Here are examples of circumstances that should trigger prayer.

1. When you are happy.

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 1:13

2. When you are tempted. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13).

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

3. When you are worried. The Bible teaches us to cast their burdens on the Lord.

Paul wrote, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

When you have a great decision to make or problem to solve: The Bible teaches that,” If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James. 1:5).

5. When you are discouraged: In living the Christian life, you should not quit. You need to turn to God in prayer. Jesus said,“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1).Paul said, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians. 6:18). When you are discouraged, ask God to send you some help in the form of other Christians.

‌When you have sinned.: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John: 1:7-9).

Where should you pray?

This question has a lot of different answers, and thank goodness it does. God hears your prayers no matter where you’re praying. In the Bible, people prayed in houses, in closets, on mountaintops, in deserts, late at night, early in the morning, before meals, and after battles. So maybe it doesn’t really matter where your body is during prayer and at what time you pray. Instead, it’s about where your heart is when you pray. Any time you want or need to talk with God, that’s when you should pray. Any place you need to feel the influence of His love, that’s where you should pray. You don’t have to wait for the perfect time or place (or the perfect you). Just pray. God will hear you.

Victory over the World

1 If we believe Jesus is truly Christ, we are God's children. Everyone who loves the Father will also love his children. 2 If we love and obey God, we know we will love his children. 3 We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.

4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

Who Jesus Is

6 Water and blood came out from the side of Jesus Christ. It wasn't just water, but water and blood. The Spirit tells about this, because the Spirit is truthful. 7 In fact, there are three who tell about it. 8 They are the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and they all agree.

9 We believe what people tell us. But we can trust what God says even more, and God is the one who has spoken about his Son. 10 If we have faith in God's Son, we have believed what God has said. But if we don't believe what God has said about his Son, it is the same as calling God a liar. 11 God has also said he gave us eternal life and this life comes to us from his Son. 12 And so, if we have God's Son, we have this life. But if we don't have the Son, we don't have this life.

Knowing about Eternal Life

13 All of you have faith in the Son of God, and I have written to let you know you have eternal life. 14 We are certain God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. 15 And if we know God listens when we pray, we are sure our prayers have already been answered.

16 Suppose you see one of our people commit a sin that isn't a deadly sin. You can pray, and this person will be given eternal life. But the sin must not be one that is deadly. 17 Everything that is wrong is sin, but not all sins are deadly.

18 We are sure God's children do not keep on sinning. God's own Son protects them, and the devil cannot harm them.

19 We are certain we come from God and the rest of the world is under the power of the devil.

20 We know that Jesus Christ the Son of God has come and has shown us the true God. And because of Jesus, we now belong to the true God who gives eternal life.

21 Children, you must stay away from idols.