The Unforbidden Fruit

Back to series
By John R.W. Stott on August 4, 2009 ,

The Unforbidden Fruit

Why power, knowledge, orthodoxy, faith, and service are not the mark of a true Christian. 

One biblical text has been especially significant to me over the years. I have quoted it in prayer daily, I think, for 20 years. I have come to see it as of key importance to anyone concerned about holiness. I refer to Ga­latians 5:22-23, the great verses about the fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gen­tleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (all Scripture quotations NIV). From these verses come five affirmations about love.

The first is that love is the pre-emi­nent Christian grace. It is quite true that the apostle lists nine qualities that he calls the fruit, or the harvest, of the Spirit, but love has pride of place; it is the first fruit of the Spirit. . .

Click here to read the full article (READ PDF).

 

John R.W. Stott

Preacher

John R.W. Stott, (1921 – 2011) is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as Rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages.

 

Notice: This material is made available for limited use to participants of the C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows programs. Please do not reproduce any of the materials in the Fellows Resources other than for your personal use.

1 All Booked All Booked All Booked 29939 GLOBAL EVENT: Why Noah’s Ark and the Flood Still Matter Today (Virtual) 8:00 PM ET https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-climbing-mt-ararat-why-noahs-ark-and-the-flood-still-matter-todayvirtual-800-pm&event_date=2026-11-13&reg=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2026-11-13
Next coming event
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

GLOBAL EVENT: Why Noah’s Ark and the Flood Still Matter Today (Virtual) 8:00 PM ET

On November 13, 2026 at 8:00 pm at
Register

Grow Your Faith with a New Online Course:

Full details Get Directions

Print your tickets