On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing.

The nine ladies dancing can represent the nine aspects of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

KJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

NIV 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.

Two days ago, we talked about the seven gifts of the Spirit that were the characterization of Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit is a result of the Spirit being the center of your life. Paul shows this fruit of the Spirit in stark contrast to the works of the flesh.

There is one fruit of Spirit, the language is most definitely not plural. So why are nine attributes listed? Because all nine attributes together show the characteristics exhibited by a person who has the Holy Spirit in them.

Can a non-Christian exhibit these traits? Of course, but they are not governed by the Spirit and so those traits do not last forever. Can a Christian not show these traits? Obviously. Because Christians are human, we all fall short of the glory of God and do not always follow his ways.

How does one exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Jesus tells us to abide in him, because we are the branches attached to him, the vine. If we abide in him, we will bear much fruit. The fruit of the Spirit comes out when we are abiding in Messiah.