
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
Psalm 34:8
Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. Some people will enjoy a meal out, while others will be guests at another’s table. Perhaps some will prepare a dish to take, while others may be hosting the entire dinner, like me.
Wherever we take our places at the table this year, it’s always a special time to pause and reflect on our blessings over the past year.
As we feast on traditional or not-so-traditional dishes, let’s also feast on some “delicious” scriptures—specifically, the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Here is a list of some of my favorite Bible verses, from both the Old and New Testament—several for each spiritual fruit (all taken from the New American Standard Version).
LOVE
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16
‘I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.‘
John 13:34-35
And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37
But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people.
Luke 6:35
JOY
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
John 15:11
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,
James 1:2
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
‘Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.‘
John 16:24
PEACE
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
‘These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.‘
John 16:33
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.‘
Psalm 122:6
When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7
PATIENCE
And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:15
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;
Colossians 3:12
Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
1 Peter 2:20
KINDNESS
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Romans 2:4
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3
He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal turban on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
Esther 2:17
GOODNESS
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Job 10:12
You have granted me life and goodness; And Your care has guarded my spirit.
FAITHFULNESS
They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness
Lamentations 3:23
The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and just is He.
Deuteronomy 32:4
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His faithfulness is everlasting.
1 Chronicles 16:34
What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?
Romans 3:3
GENTLENESS
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
Matthew 11:29
Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5
Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
Galatians 6:1
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
James 3:13
SELF-CONTROL
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Like a city that is broken into and without walls So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.
proverbs 25:28
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
1 Corinthians 9:25
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
Titus 2:2
Which scripture verses are your favorites?
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for all your blessings this year. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, may we look to You as our source of provision. May we feast on Your Word and hide its truths in our hearts so as to live sanctified lives, pleasing to You. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Feasting on the Word of God by Karen Jurgens copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved