The attributes of the Spirit's are all comfortable, "warm fuzzy" and would seem to encourage our good will towards those we meet whether they be believers or the unsaved.
But there is another list. This is in appearant sharp contrast with the Spirit's fruit. This is the Armor of God
Ephesians 6:13-17 (NASB)
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We, as workers for Christ are to prepare for battle! None of that armor is designed or cover our backs as we retreat. How does this reflect the Spirit's fruit?
Are we to approach the people we meet in the world as enemies? We know that the sources of temptation are the world. the flesh, and the enemy (Satan). Two of the three (the world, which is our society and the flesh, which is our natural self serving state).
Are we then to approach the unsaved as the enemy?
But Ephesians make it clear that:
Ephesians 6:12 (NASB)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
So the persons we meet, even those that are not saved are not to be the targets to be met in combat but are really the cannon fodder of the enemy. We must not let the enemy cause us to make them casualties.
I would like to hear comments relating the Fruits of the Spirit and the attributes we should exhibit to the armor of God and how we should employ that armor.