Week 11: Fruits Of The Spirit

 

Week 11: The Fruit of the Spirit

In our previous study we discussed who and what is the Holy Spirit and a few of the manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit within our lives.  We briefly touched on the fruit of the spirit as evidence of the Holy Spirits presence in our lives, lets dive a bit deeper.

Let’s actually begin by looking at what the absence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life and what that would look like. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul characterizes our sinful nature void of The Spirit, “Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

All who make the claim of being saved and born again with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit must do a self-examination to ensure that we are coming in agreement with The Spirit to transform us, enabling us to put away these works of the flesh.  Once we have submitted to God and the work of the Holy Spirit we will begin to be transformed, some of our past sinful habits and behaviors will become less and less desirable to us. This process can take some time however if we are completely submitted to It there will be a definite change and we will begin to walk in step with The Spirit. 

In verses 22 & 23 Paul goes on to characterize the nature of someone who is walking in the spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

Let’s look at each characteristic a bit closer by doing a quick word study:

·         Love (g26), agapē; affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love

o   This means having love for God and others around us (Matt 22:37–39)

·         Joy (g5479), Chara; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight: —gladness, greatly

o   Delighting in God and others (Phil 4:4)

·         Peace (g1515), eirēnē; of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is; quietness, rest

o   This is feeling safe and secure in and the ability to rest on God’s promises (Phil 4:6)

·         Patience (g3115), makrothymia; patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

o   Being able to endure whatever may come (Matt 24:13, James 1:12)

·         Kindness (g5544), chrēstotēs; moral goodness, integrity

o   Having strong moral principles, being honest and showing kindness or gentleness to those around us (2 Pet1:5, Ro 2:15)

·         Goodness (g19), agathōsynē; uprightness of heart and life, goodness, kindness

o   Being ready to help those in need in any way which we are able
(Heb 13:16, Luke 6:38, Prov 19:17, John 15:12)

·         Faithfulness (g4102), pistis; the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ; a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God

o   Complete belief and reliance on Yahusha (Jesus) as the only means to salvation and conviction of the truth of the gospel (Eph 2:8, Jn 3:16, Gal 2:20)

·         Gentleness (g4236), praotēs; gentleness, mildness, meekness; humility

o   Showing humility, not being led to seek glory for yourself as the glory belongs to God. Being meek is like having the power to do something but choosing not to, it’s the ability to show restraint. (Matt 5:5, James 1:19)

·         Self-control (g1466), egkrateia; self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites); temperance

o   This also means showing restraint, moderating our consumption of all things we enjoy (i.e. food, drink, entertainment) (1 Cor 6:12, Prov 25:28)

When we “walk in The Spirit” these qualities will begin to manifest in our lives. You may already possess some of the qualities while you may struggle with others but don’t be discouraged, pray for God’s help manifesting them. The transformation that takes place with each believer is just one part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit but it is certainly evidence that God is working and moving in your life.

Phil 1:6: I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].