Naked Fruit: Getting Honest about the Fruit of the Spirit

by Elisa Morgan

As Elisa Morgan emphatically states, the fruit of the Spirit is not just about "being nice." It's about God's fruit being expressed in your own unique personality, a concept that frees women to reject superficial standards and embrace a life of producing the kind of fruit God likes. So, Morgan tells readers, "strip off the nice and get naked." Now in trade paper, Naked Fruit thoroughly explores all the fruits of the Spirit and offers new twists on these sometimes overworn and misinterpreted concepts. Thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter give readers ways to evaluate their spiritual growth and get down to the business of growing. Women's ministry groups, fans of Elisa Morgan, and women everywhere will embrace this life-changing book.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Self Help, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Elisa Morgan was named by Christianity Today as one of the top 50 women influencing today's church and culture, and she's a sought-after author, speaker, and leader. She has authored more than 25 books on mothering, spiritual formation, and evangelism, including The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, She Did What She Could, and The NIV Mom's Devotional Bible.

For 20 years, Elisa served as the CEO of MOPS International (www.mops.org). Under her leadership, MOPS grew from 350 groups to more than 4,000 groups throughout the United States and in 30 other countries, influencing more than 100,000 moms every year. Elisa now serves as president emerita of MOPS.

Elisa received a BS from the University of Texas and an MDiv from Denver Seminary. She served as the dean of women at Western Bible College (now Colorado Christian University) and on the board of ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Currently she serves on the board of Denver Seminary.

Elisa is a cohost of the syndicated radio program Discover the Word (www.discovertheword.org), a daily 15-minute real-time conversation around the living Word of God. She is married to Evan (the senior vice president of global ministry efforts for Our Daily Bread Ministries) and has two grown children and two grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado. Wilson and Darla, her two rottweilers, take her on walks in the open space behind her house.

Connect with Elisa at www.elisamorgan.com. You can sign up for her blog, Really, at her website or by texting the word REALLY to 22828.

You can keep in touch with Elisa in the following ways:

Instagram: Elisa Morgan, Author
Facebook: Elisa Morgan, Author
Twitter: @elisa­_morgan

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a super deep, theological read, but a really great look at the different "fruit" elements that I found both encouraging and challenging. Would definitely be good for small group study.

A few favorite quotes:
"We endure pruning. Part of the growing process involves cutting off what is diseased or no longer necessary or even what is taking nutrients that are needed elsewhere... 'You're not in a growth zone if you're in a comfort zone, and you're not in a comfort zone if you're in a growth zone.' " (pg. 47)

"Joy has a way of buoying us up in the middle of the unpredictable... We still cry and fear and yearn. But beneath all these feelings is the comforting thought that we are held in God's hands." (pg. 69)

I also loved the chapter on Self-Control, and the reference to Prov 25:28. "Self-control hems us about, protecting us from losing ground to impatience, bitterness, greed, and the like." (pg 131)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, easy chapters and clear language made this book an enjoyable read. It provides fresh insight into the Fruit of the Spirit. You've probably never thought about them in this way before.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

the writing is only so-so, but I enjoyed reading a chapter at a time, one on each fruit...good reminders that I need to be developing the Fruit of the Spirit in my life.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

44:2023
Not terrible. Not what I need at the moment. A bit dated. Got it off the to-read shelf at least.

[Kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great easy to read and easy to apply to your life kind of book. I read it originally about 5 years ago in a woman's bible study group. After reading this book you will want more "fruit" in your life and know the only way to get that "fruit" is to get real and get closer to God. You don't have to have any previous bible knowledge to "get" this book, I found it to be beneficial for beginning Christians especially.

[Groups · Rating 4 out of 5]

Per Gina Robertson:
Introduction to the fruit of the spirit. Slightly geared towards moms (married or single). Very basic, elementary and easy to grasp concepts, so good for those new to scripture but may be too simplistic for others.

Concerns:
Nota lot of meat as far as how you allow Christ to live through you...how do you cooperate with God producing fruit in you?

8 weeks, 30 - 60 minutes per week
book format, no questions provided

Possible Shelves: Intimacy with God

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this as a study book. The main point is that we need to be real - unafraid to show our weaknesses, so God can show His strength. There are some good exercises "actions for thought" that do encourage one to create a goal and a vision.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a bible study group and overall enjoyed it. It lead to a lot of good group discussion. However a few of the "fruit" chapters were a little cheesy and didn't really help me understand the particular concept any better.

[Heather Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It helps moms really understand what the fruit of the Spirit look like in real life. There were a couple of things I wasn't sure were accurate, but it was still a good book.

[Rachel C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with my Mothers of Young Children Devotional Group. I loved that this book focused on studying every aspect of my favorite verse from the Bible.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

All about the Fruit Of The Spirit, this book took a look a deeper look at each of the nine character traits. This book helps you undestand what these fruit should look like in your life.