GOD'S LIGHT FOR THE WORLD

The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead, many of us know this. And one must be very careful where the Holy Spirit is concerned. If we offend him in any way, we lose much.

There has been so much debate regarding the Spirit that it would make your head spin, because it sure does mine, and I refuse to debate the issue any further. I am going to state my position on that subject and then leave it alone.

In the book Acts of the Apostles, Sister White says in Chapter 5 pgs. 51 and 52:

It is not essential for us to be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Spirit is the Comforter, "the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father." It is plainly declared regarding the Holy Spirit that, in His work of guiding men into all truth, "He shall not speak of Himself." John 15:26; 16:13.

The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passsages of Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden.

What we do know is the following paragraph:

The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly specified in the words of Christ: "When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:8. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements.

To the repentant sinner, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, the Holy Spirit reveals the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. "He will receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you," Christ said. "He will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 16:14; 14:26.

The Spirit is given as a regenerating agency, to make effectual the salvation wrought by the death of our Redeemer. The Spirit is constantly seeking to draw the attention of men to the great offering that was made on the cross of Calvary, to unfold to the world the love of God, and to open to the convicted soul the precious things of the Scriptures.

 

So we have here that 1.the Holy Spirit convicts of sin.

                                  2. the Holy Spirit reveals the Lamb of God.

                                  3. the Holy Spirit is a regenerating agency. He points to Christ on the cross, and what Christ did for us.

                                  4. He guides us and teaches us and comforts us.

So then if the Holy Spirit cannot speak of Himself, then He is a seperate entity from Christ. Therefore, Christ cannot speak of Himself if He is the Holy Spirit. Christ is a Comforter, not the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit.

So this is where I will leave this. I know all I need to know for the moment regarding the Holy Spirit. When the time is right and we are worthy of it, then the Father will enlighten us to know more. Until that time, leave it be.

God Bless and keep you all.

Sister Donna

 

This series is on the Holy Spirit and His Fruits. It is the full version of the study. See the condensed version under the Fruits of the Spirit Page.

The Fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.

We will be discussing what those are and how they fit into our lives.

 

Love

Building Healthy Relationships

In Christ we are connected to the greatest love, the absolute source of pure love, unconditional love. If we walk in fellowship with him, we cannot help but be reminded of how to love people with our words, deeds, and actions. In fact, without Christ it is impossible to love people this way. Christ like love is called (ἀγάπη agápē) love (Agape is the Greek word for love.) It is a giving, self-sacrificing love that has its source in Christ’s self-giving love (1 Corinthians 13:13). John said, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” 1 John 3:16.

We must strive to continually practice agápē love. When we remain on the vine we realize that we should love people with God’s love. We will also be aware of ways we could love people. In the end, however, we will need to make the decision to do acts of love, for we are not robots that are given the command to love people. We are people of free will who constantly make decisions to do the right thing. The self-control (discipline) portion of the fruit of the Spirit is at work as we choose to respond to others with God’s agápē love.

 

Christianity Is about Relationships

JESUS SAID, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” John 15:9-10, 12. Our relationship with God, with other Christians, and with our “neighbors” is where the reality of our Christianity is lived out. Because we have a one on one, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we grow in our sensitivity to people’s needs and as a result see them through the eyes of God’s love. His love persuades us to take risks for the sake of others.

 

Three Common Misunderstandings about Love

• Love develops automatically in an unpremeditated way.

• Many people believe that just because they understand the definition of love, they will naturally love.

• Few understand their potential to harm others with words and actions.

#1.

An abundance of Bible verses instruct us to love people and how to love them.

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother” 1 John 3:10.

1John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

It is important to understand that we are people in process. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we become more like him, more loving. We all have along way to go, but as disciples, we must continue to grow, develop, and produce more of his fruit.

#2.

Understanding a concept and acting on that concept are two different things. We may hear sermons on the four Greek words for love--- Eros (ἔρως érōs) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. Storge (στοργή storgē) means affection in modern Greek; it is natural love, family love. Phile (φιλία philía), means friendship in modern Greek, a dispassionate virtuous love, and Agape (ἀγάπη agápē) means "love" in modern day Greek, God’s love. Love, however, is something we do. Therefore, we must discipline ourselves to continually practice love.

The Bible often uses the word agápē when it speaks about God’s love for us and the kind of love God wants us to have for others. Agápē  is “the highest and noblest form of love which sees something infinitely precious in its object. Even when we do not feel like loving, we choose to do so anyway. It is an act of the will, a decision we make. You find that when we do acts of love regardless of how you feel, you will often develop the “want to.” Your emotions will catch on, and eventually compassion will grow in your heart toward that person or group of people.

#3.

All of us have a sinful nature, and this nature has tremendous potential to do or say the wrong thing. Paul said, “ I die every day, 1 Corinthians 15:31, meaning that he not only risked his physical life for the sake of the gosepl, but he died daily to his sinful nature. It has been said that more people have been killed with the tongue than in all the wars in human history. Our sinful nature, from which these deadly words spring, can be controlled because we are connected to the Vine; however, we need to continually evaluate our attitudes, behavior, and feelings. The Holy Spirit will let us know when we are being unloving, unkind and unrighteously angry. When he does, we must obey and do the loving thing.

(Note: The killing with the tongue has injured more people than can be counted. What we say and how we say it should be watched carefully. Relationships can be permanently damaged by the words that we speak in anger, hatred, etc.)

Your love can make a difference. People can change because of the way you treat them. Your words or actions can persuade a depressed person to have hope. What you do can bring encouragement, enrichment, and energy to someone today. If you can’t say it, write it. If you feel that you can’t do it today, then schedule a time when you can do it. Seldom repress an impulse to do something kind. Our “God like” actions could even save a life.

Love Is Possible

Paul’s desire for his Thessalonian friends were;

• To increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, 1 Thess. 3:12

• To love one another:1 John 4:7

• To have no fear in love, that perfect love casteth out fear and that He who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

• And that according to the Scripture, we are to love our neighbor as we would love ourselves.
  James 2:8

(Love is possible if we would only listen to God and follows His lead. Let the Spirit move your heart to love those that are hard to love. It may sound impossible, but remember that with God nothing is impossible.)

Depression will scatter, a negative self-image will improve, and the paralysis of self-condemnation will leave when we understand God’s incredible love for us. Because we are his creation, we are to love not only others but also ourselves.

Love Forgives

THE BIBLE INSTRUCTS US to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13). Jesus even said, “Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Should we carry a grudge throughout life and hate the people who harm us? No. Because hating them just brings greater injury to us. We will be bitter, angry people if we walk around with a chip on our shoulders. Un-forgiveness binds us and causes our spirit to be negative and impure. God wants us to be free of that. As we practice forgiveness we discover more and more that forgiveness and healing are one. We can learn from painful experiences and thereby protect ourselves from future injury; however, we must let go of anger and un-forgiveness so that those who have hurt us cannot continue to do so. When we chose to resent someone, we give that person a precious piece of our life. We can take that piece back only by forgiving. Let us get rid of the bondage! Un-forgiveness paralyzes us and will greatly hinder our relationship with God. Christ like forgiveness is possible for us when we are connected to the one who invented forgiveness.

Love Compels

Have you ever been compelled to do something out of love? Love compels us to discipline our children and to guide them and keep them from harm in the outside world. Love compels us to keep someone from harming themselves or someone else because we care about what happens to them. Love compels us to spread the Word of God, because we Love Him and want others to know and love Him too.

JESUS SAID, John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

His drawing power is his unconditional and sacrificial love. There is no doubt that in this verse he was speaking of his imminent death on the cross.

Psalm 89:4 Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

The Jews wondered how Jesus could be the Messiah whom they knew would establish an everlasting kingdom yet be “lifted up” on a cross.

People hunger to be loved. Many live in shame and guilt or have endured tremendous rejection. Deep down inside they just want to be loved and cared for. They sometimes try to receive love in inappropriate ways, but when they see God’s pure, unhesitant, compassionate, merciful love for them, they are drawn to it. Thus we must let Christ’s love flow through us. People will wonder how we can love so; it is because Jesus loves them through us.

 

Love Is Resilient

WE MUST ATTACH NO conditions to our love. No matter how people treat us, we must keep on loving, forgiving, and praying for them. In the book the “Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom, she told of her life in the Ravensbruck Concentration camp in Germany and that she and her sister Betsie suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazis’. She hated them, wanted to kill her tormentors, but her sister Betsie would remind her of Jesus and how he suffered and died for all people, righteous and sinner alike. She reminded her that she had to pray for her enemies, to forgive them, or it would eat away at her and make her bitter and sick inside.

One of the first martyrs of the church was Stephen. Perhaps the way Stephen died was a wake up call to Saul who later became Paul. Saul stood nearby and held the outer garments of those who stoned Stephen to death. When Stephen was being stoned he “fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them” Acts 7:60. Jesus had set an example for Stephen when on the cross he had prayed for his murderers, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34.

We must not hold grudges, refuse to “get over it,” or attach conditions before we forgive someone. We may be shocked, dazed, or overwhelmed for a time, but we regain our strength because we are attached to the one who supplies abundant love. People will fail us and we will fail people, but if we decide to keep score, now one will win.

 

Love Understands

WE CAN CHOOSE TO see through angry, bitter, hateful people’s actions and beyond their words to understand that they are likely wounded and trying to protect themselves. If we could go back to the incident that began their angry actions, we would likely see tremendous pain and hurt. God’s love understands why they are choosing to act in destructive ways. They think they are protecting themselves from further pain. Their actions repel others because others do not want to get involved in their lives.

When we choose to love hurting, hateful people in spite of their behavior, anger or rejection, our love often melts their fear of further pain. The process may take a while, but when we love them with God’s love they will see that we are different. They will wonder what makes us respond to them differently and why we do not reject them like everyone else does. Our love for them can truly change their lives and can “cover a multitude of sins.”

God is love, and we are destined to act like God. In fact, we “are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit of infinite love.

2 Corinthians 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Jesus looked at the crowds and felt compassion for them. He looked beyond all the activity, noise, and distractions and saw their tremendous need. They were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” Matthew 9:36. Jesus loved, as no human was able to love, he sacrificed as no one ever could, and he forgives beyond our comprehension. There is no way you can love this way unless the Spirit of God helps you. He and he alone will enable you to grow in Christ like love.

 

Joy

What is Joy?

Joy then, is that ever-deepening awareness that our lives are hidden in Christ and that we can be led by the Spirit through anything. Afflictions, trials, pressures, or frustrations may come, but they cannot destroy us; so we experience joy. We may genuinely hurt as in 2 Corinthians 1:8; we may weep as in John 11:33-35, we may be tempted as in Hebrews 2:18; we may not understand what God is allowing to come our way as in James 1:2-5; but none of this causes us to lose God’s focus in our difficulties or hampers our ministry to the needs of others. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

This is Biblical Joy.

Only those who have been born again in the Spirit can fully understand this unique kind of joy, because it is heavenly, not earthly. It comes from the one who created you as your heart seeks ways to worship him.

 

Increase Your Joy by Leading Others to Jesus Christ.

Incredible satisfaction and joy come from personally explaining the gospel to someone and seeing that person give his or her life to Christ. The early church became “very glad” when they heard that the Gentiles had been converted,

Act 15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

If heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents, and if angels become excited because a person decides to follow Christ, then we ought to feel tremendous joy when we have the privilege of introducing someone to Jesus.

 Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

 

Increase Your Joy by Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

People who have been filled with the Holy Spirit can have such joy that someone could come to the conclusion that they are intoxicated, Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

The filling of the Spirit provides a cleansing accompanied by boldness and power to be more effective in witnessing. This experience in turn brings a deep sense of happiness to those who have received it.

When the believers in the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, those who observed wanted to know if and how they could have the same experience. Peter told them, Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The Holy Spirit is grieved when believers ignore his convictions for sinful thinking, feelings, or behavior and push aside his warning to act or think differently. However, when we repent and determine to be obedient to the Lord, we can ask God to fill us with the Holy Spirit. His filling can be repeated whenever we feel spiritually dry or our boldness to witness has turned to fear. He promises to bring “times of refreshing” to our tired souls. Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;  

 

Do You Have Joy?

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? Is what you own, where you live, what groups you are included in make you happy? Alternatively, is it being born again and having the gift of eternal life that makes you happy? Are you joyful because God is glorified in the way you live and because Christ has filled you with the Holy Spirit?

(The joy of the Christian cannot be understood by people of the world. It is only understood by people who have the Spirit rule their lives. Those of the world, keep their minds on their worldly goods, and are bound to them. They have no true joy because they are constantly worrying about their worldly goods being stolen, taken, or destroyed by circumstances.

Those of the body of Christ and of the Holy Spirit have no cares for the material things of this world. They keep focused on the Heavenly things, those things that will gain them heaven. That is what gives them Joy.)

 

Peace

Overcoming Anxiety and Conflict

Peace is the third portion of the fruit of the Sprit listed in Galatians 5:22, 23. Every human heart yeans for it. Jesus promised his disciples, John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The Greek word for peace (eirênê) in this verse means more than living a life with no conflict or being quiet, still, and at rest. It is used for the calmness that a nation or city enjoys when it has a caring, competent, and secure leader. In biblical times, “villages had an official who was called the superintendent of the village’s eirênê, the keeper of public peace.” This kind of peace means having tranquility in your heart that originates from the understanding that your life is truly in the hands of a loving God. It means experiencing quiet in your inner self.

Do not misunderstand. Having peace does not mean that you will not have conflict, stress, or difficult times. For some, becoming Christians and living godly lives has brought more difficulty (persecution) than they would have experienced as non- Christians. While in prison Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” Philippians 4:11. When the fruit of peace is produced within us by the Holy Spirit, we can live life to the fullest in harmony and tranquility in spite of our circumstances. As we learn to depend on the Holy Spirit and understand that he will be with us in every situation, we will be more at rest and anxiety will be further away.

 

Peace Can Replace Worry and Anxiety in Your Life

One of the most common uncomfortable emotions with which we struggle is anxiety. Anxiety and worry are twins. Some people worry more than others, but we all have had times when we worried too much. We may wake up in the middle of the night with thoughts of what might happen tomorrow. The word worry comes from the German word wergen, which means, “to choke.” Have you ever heard someone say, “He choked”? Because of his lack of peace, he really might have “Anxiety disorders (frequent and intense anxiety) affect 20 to 30 million Americans. It is the number one mental health problem for women and the number two problem for men.”

Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life. . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

 Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Worry and peace cannot live together; they are opposites. Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear. . . Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”

 

Worry is a waste of time and will take your joy, peace, contentment, confidence, and energy. God’s peace on the other hand, will enhance all you do.

 

Peace Can Replace Hostility and Anger in Your Life

All of us have had to deal with personal anger. Some of us have grown up in homes where out of control anger resulted in abuse. People sometimes excuse their anger by claiming that they are Irish or Italian or hot blooded or redheaded. However, anger has nothing to do with one’s ethnicity, blood temperature, or hair color—everyone gets angry. In addition, unless it is controlled by the peace of God, anger can devour your happiness, steal your joy, attack your health, destroy your relationships, and injure your faith. Anger in itself is not wrong; it is the way we choose to display our anger that is often wrong. Paul cautioned, Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

 

There is no doubt that unrighteous, out of control anger will destroy your peace.

 

• Realize actions are controlled by the will, so you can decide to control anger’s behavior. Stop and pray for help.

• Decide why it is important to be angry. What is your reason for being angry? To find appropriate places for anger, study the Bible and pray for wisdom.

• Use anger constructively, but accept what cannot be changed. Do not take matters into your own hands, but take it to the Lord to work it out.

• Humble yourself and listen to other people. Much anger is caused by pride—you think you are always right and know better than anyone else does.

• Ask forgiveness from those offended by your angry outbursts. By using our anger inappropriately it may seem like a temporary fix, but in the long run it does not solve our problems.

• Forgive those who cause anger.

• Avoid substances that promote anger and investigate other cause of your anger. For example, alcohol is the number one cause of most of the violent crimes attributed to anger. Drugs are also another reason why anger is shown due to chemicals that affects the brain and causes violent and angry outbursts. Grief is also a factor in becoming angry because it is one of the stages in the grieving process for any loss.

• When we are filled with the peace of God and the Holy Spirit there is little room for the inappropriate use of anger.

 

Peace Will Enable You to Resolve Stress

In the United States, 30 million people describe themselves as being stressed out.

18 Million Americans take the drug Prozac which is an antidepressant for stress and mental disorders.

How can we get control of the stress of our lives and find balance? When Jesus was born the angels announced to the shepherds; Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. In the midst of your frantic lifestyle Jesus can speak to you about balance, rest, and peace. Paul said, 2Corinthians 4:8, 9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

How did he handle such stress? His secret is found in verse 7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

(We cannot by ourselves control our stress, but must take it to the Lord the Great Physician who can heal and mend our brokenness. We must give him that chance to work in us and he will help us find our balance.)

The treasure he spoke of is the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God. 2Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

Peace in the Midst of Crisis

HURRICANS ARE FIERCE, POWERFUL, catastrophic storms that can move at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The waves and rain that accompany hurricanes have deluged many coastal communities and destroyed thousands of homes, and businesses over the years. In the eye of the hurricane, however, it is calm—even tranquil.

 

Psalm 46 says,

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea?

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her and that right early.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come; behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Everyone will have times of crisis. Some are predictable and some come as total surprises. One tremendous benefit of crisis situations in life is that they can force us into a place of brokenness concerning our own strength and lead us to dependence on the power of God. We often need to utterly rely on him and sustain us and give us wisdom to go through our times of need.

Whenever crisis comes we can know that Jesus Christ is right there with us, for he said, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us “God has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” We have a relationship with the living Jesus Christ and can go to him, talk to him, and depend on him to give us a unique peace even in times of crisis.

 

God’s Peace Encourages Us to Be Peacemakers

There are times when we desperately want to repay someone for a wrongful act that was done to us. Everyone has been emotionally, verbally, and physically hurt by someone in his or her life. However, that does not give us permission to repay the deed. We are not to repay evil for evil says Romans 12:17-21, but leave it in the hands of God.

Jesus said, Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Because we belong to the one who created peace and we live a life of peace, we can become a peacemaker.

Perhaps you are the voice that can bring peace to a troubled friend. You may be the one who can speak a peaceful solution to a situation that is tearing apart a marriage or a relationship between loved ones. You may hold the peaceful answer to a competitive, territorial, jealous force within your company or community. If you know the Peacemaker, he will produce within you the fruit of the Spirit called peace.

 

Patience

The Benefits of Waiting

The Greek word for patience is macrothumia, which is a combination of two words, macro meaning “long,” and thumos meaning “temper” and specifically points to the idea of anger taking a very long time to build before it is expressed. If and when it is ever expressed, it is under control.

Some people have “short tempers,” which means they lose their patience quickly and become angry. Little else in life is more uncomfortable or devastating than being a recipient of someone’s temper release or uncontrolled anger.

Others are able to control their temper and are patient with others. Even when they have the ability, and possible the right, to react verbally, they exercise restraint. These people are macrothumia people. Patience then is a word meaning the opposite of inappropriate anger.

Macrothumia is always used in contexts involving one’s forbearance toward others. . . Thus “longsuffering” has to do with one’s long forbearance toward those who oppose or distress one in some way. Nowhere else does Paul attribute such forbearance to the direct working of the Spirit; but its appearance here shows that Spirit empowering is not simply for joy and miracles but for this much-needed quality of “putting up with” those who need long and patient love and kindness.

 

I believe God had a purpose in directing Paul to list the fruit of the Spirit in a certain order in Galatians 5:22, 23. If we have love, joy, and peace in our lives, patience will be present also. The fruit all develop from one another, and all begin with love.

 

• Love is the Christ like reaction to people’s malice.

• Joy is the Christ like reaction to depressing circumstances.

• Peace is the Christ like reaction to troubles, threats, and invitations to anxiety.

• Patience is the Christ like reaction to all that is maddening.

• Kindness is the Christ like reaction to all that are unkind.

• Goodness is the Christ like reaction to bad people and bad behavior.

• Faithfulness and gentleness is the Christ like reactions to lies and fury.

• Self-control is the Christ like reaction to every situation that goads you to lose your cool and lash out.

 

God Is Patient with Us

No one is more patient with us than God is. I have often thought about his love and patience with me. It is hard to imagine the depth of God’s patience in a world where people are overwhelmingly impatient with others and with their circumstances. The Bible tells us, “[God] is patient with you”

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God is also patient with those you care about and, for that matter, with everyone.

Throughout Scripture we see God expressing patience with people. In your life, marriage, temptation, or need, do not think for a moment that God has given up on you. Even if you are hard and tough on the outside, God knows that there is a silent yearning for his help. If you have given up on yourself, God has not. If you feel that you are out of strength to keep fighting, God will give you strength from a place you may not have expected. If you are continually trying to kick a habit and have run out of will, God can give you new determination. Even if you need to whisper, “God, I need your help,” he will hear it as if you cried out. God will not walk out on you; do not walk out on him.

 

We Can Grow in Patience

God is not in a hurry—he has everything under control. He is not frantically rushing around full of nervous energy trying to accomplish his goals. He is patient with us, and patience can be a controlling factor in our lives as well. Patience will develop naturally as we grow in Christ and depend on the Holy Spirit, because we are part of the one who is patience.

As we avoid sin and sincerely desire to be led by the Spirit, we will experience steady growth in patience. We will become less angry (or hostile) and have more control over what we say. Our life will seem calmer. When we find it necessary to respond assertively or to appropriately confront someone, we will be in control. The Holy Spirit will help us with our sense of timing as we determine when (or if) we need to say or do something. This maturity does not come overnight; God will help us develop new habits as we grow in our relationship with him.

 

We Are to Be Patient with Others

Even though Moses knew that God was a patient God, he as a leader was sometimes annoyed with the Israelites because of their disobedience toward God or their lack of trust in him. Thus he sometimes became angry with them when they complained about God’s provisions and failed to trust God (Numbers 20:10, 11). Therefore, when God told Moses to speak to the rock to get water for the people, Moses instead struck the rock out of anger. His impatience caused him to disobey God, and because of that, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land with the Israelites. Moses was normally a patient person, but even patient people have their limits. Everyone needs God’s assistance in this area because sooner or later we will reach our limit with someone or something.

Our patience and understanding can be used by the Holy Spirit to help others.

We may take a certain rule, that the more the divine nature and life of Jesus is manifest in us, and the higher our sense of righteousness and virtue, the more we shall pity and love those who are suffering from the blindness, disease, and death of sin. The sight of such people then, instead of raising in us a haughty contempt or holier-than-thou indignation, will rather fill us with such tenderness and compassion as when we see the miseries of a dread disease.

The only way we can truly be patient with others is to see them through the eyes of Jesus. Observing devastating, horrible, discourteous, evil ways that people treat people will often harden our hearts toward others. Christ sees right through outward appearances and understands their need.

 

Husbands and wives are to be patient with each other.

Paul instructs husbands not to be harsh with their wives and to love them as Christ loves the church (Colossians 3:19). Peter instructs husbands to be considerate of the needs of their wives “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” 1 Peter 3:7. All of these instructions for the martial relationship involve patience. One of the reasons men are harsh is impatience. When things do not go as we feel they should, or happen as quickly as we feel they ought, we become impatient and as a result, come across harsh.

For a husband to have understanding, he must listen and take time to find out what his wife’s needs are.

The marriage relationship itself, in virtually all areas, (from finances to discipline of children), requires patience and commitment.

 

 

Raising children takes tremendous patience.

We usually figure this out after they are in our home for about two days! Parents need to know how to properly discipline their children and how to be patient with them, or else they may overwhelm their children with frustration. Paul instructs, Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Some parents are impatient and lack understanding of how their children feel. Sometimes parents force their children to mature too quickly or to find their “niche in life” too soon. They often push, demand, and treat their children unfairly, provoking them to anger and rebellion. Again Paul instructs fathers not to “exasperate your children” Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

You are to be patient with people who do not know Christ.

The fruit of patience is not just applied to the way you treat Christians but to people in general. People who work with you, live near you, or see you in public should see the attribute of patience exemplified in your life. Your patience will make you seem different from those who do not know Christ. Non-Christians will want to know how you developed this quality. If God is patient with those who do not know Christ, “not wanting any to perish,” we can be patient with them as well.

 

 

We are to be patient with ourselves.

Paul wrote, “Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

All of us need determination to keep our eternal focus, because daily distractions, temptations, worries, riches, and evil desires can paralyze our commitment to continue growing in Christ. Not getting over past mistakes, failures, and sins can be an unnecessary weight that will persistently trouble us. We need to go to Christ daily to seek his will, ask for forgiveness of sin, and determine that we will glorify him in all we say and do.

We are all in a growing mode and none of us has arrived. However, growing requires discipline and commitment. We must learn to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and on our eternal reward. If your past troubles you, chose to act and speak differently—today.

Patience is something with which we could all use improvement on. The Holy Spirit within us desires to develop the same kind of patience God has. The incredible patience he has with us is the kind of patience he wants us to have with one another. Thus it cannot be separated from love. Walking in the Spirit means that we listen to God and follow his instructions as we encounter various challenges throughout our day. When we consistently walk in God’s Spirit, God’s character will find expression in our lives.

 

 

Kindness

REACHING OUT TO OTHERS

JESUS SAID, Luke 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

God is kind. He said through Jeremiah, Jeremiah 9:24  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

And in Psalms he said, Psalm 86:5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Luke tells us that those who imitate God in being kind to the ungrateful and wicked “will be sons of the Most High.” Luke 6:35

God’s kindness to sinners is designed to lead them to repentance. Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

His kindness to believers should encourage us to continue in kindness by treating others as he has treated us, for love is not only patient, it is kind.

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1Corithians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

The fruit of the Spirit is more than an attitude or trait that we desire; it is evidence that the Holy Spirit lives in us. Some people have thought that the Holy Spirit is mystical, spooky, or unapproachable, but these are not true perceptions. The Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He is very approachable and desires that we listen to him, be like him, and walk in him. God’s purpose in having the Holy Spirit dwell within believers is that we might depend on him to direct our lives and illustrate God’s personality to others.

The Greek word for kindness is chrestos. A description of the Holy Spirit shows his fruits as “goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, affability. The world describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control.”

As you walk through your day, are you concerned about listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit as he prompts you to be kind to your family members, neighbors, coworkers, and all others with whom you come in contact? As Christians we are to be known as chrestos people. Those who know us should be able to testify that we are kind.

A good example of kindness can be found in the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-35. It points out three characteristics of kindness: it is compassionate, it takes action, and it is powerful.

 

A. Kindness Is Full of Compassion

How do we respond when we see people in need? As Christians we are to be full of kind compassion, an emotion that will move us to the very depths of our being. Simply put, a kind person cares about people.

The Samaritan “saw” the wounded man. This parable is an illustration of how Jesus sees people. In the middle of a crowd of hungry, tired people, Jesus heard the cry of a leprous man (Mark 1:41). When Jesus looked at a busy city full of people going in a thousand directions, he saw them as harassed, helpless sheep without a caring shepherd, and he felt compassion for them (Matthew 9:36).

 

In his parable who did Jesus say walked by the man in need and why?

1. There was the priest. He hastened past. No doubt he was remembering that he who touched a dead man was unclean for seven day (Numbers 19:11). He could not be sure but he feared that the man was dead; to touch him would mean losing his turn of duty in the Temple; and he refused to risk that. He set the claims of ceremonial above those of charity. The Temple and its liturgy meant more to him than the pain of man.

2. There was the Levite. He seems to have gone nearer to the man before he passed on. The bandits were in the habit of using decoys. One of their numbers would act the part of a wounded man; and when some unsuspecting traveler stopped over him, the others would rush upon him and overpower him. The Levite was a man whose motto was, “Safety first.” He would take no risks to help anyone.

3. The third person who walked by the injured man was the Samaritan. Luke tells us “when he saw him, he took pity on him” Luke 10:33. The difference between the two religious leaders and the Samaritan was that when the priest and the Levite saw the man they wondered, What will happen to us if we help him? While the Samaritan thought, What will happen to the man, if I do not help him?

The Bible instructs us to “be kind and compassionate to one another” Ephesians 4:32. When we see people in need we feel compassion, and compassion will motivate us to do something.

 

B. Kindness Takes Action

Seeking the needs of others will often give us ideas about something kind we can do. The Good Samaritan not only had compassion for the injured traveler, but he acted on that compassion and decided to help the man, Moreover, he took a great risk in choosing to stop and help the man and here is why:

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a notoriously dangerous road. Jerusalem is 2,300 feet above sea level; the Dead Sea, near which Jericho stood, is 1,300 feet below sea level. So then, in somewhat less than twenty miles, this road dropped 3,600 feet. It was a road of narrow, rocky defiles, and of sudden turnings which made it the happy hunting ground of brigands (bandits). In the fifth century Jerome tells us that it was still called “The Red, or Bloody Way.” In the nineteenth century it was still necessary to pay safety money to the local Sheiks before one could travel on it. As late as the 1930’s people were warned to get home before dark, if they intended to use the road, because a certain Abu Jildah was adept at holding up cars and robbing travelers and tourists, and escaping into the hills before the police could arrive. When Jesus told this story, he was telling about the kind of thing that was constantly happening on the Jerusalem to Jericho road.

(Are there not towns in which you live that have certain areas that you stay away from because of people who will rob and kill you. Are they not full of desperate people who are hungry, in pain, wounded by life, full of anger and helplessness? Such as these we fear and dare not venture into their territory).

God encourages us to be compassionate and kind to all people. God will encourage us to do this because we are connected to the Vine; it is a deliberate personal decision.

The Good Samaritan went to the wounded man, talked to him, bandaged him, and took him to a place of safety and rest where he could heal. Compassion with out actions is worthless. Like faith without works, it is dead. We must do something to make a difference.

 

C. Kindness Is Powerful

In our competitive world many people view kindness as a weakness. Those who demonstrate kindness swim against the stream of callousness and insensitivity. They stop to investigate when they see a need, even though others would walk on by. God is keeping score.

Kind people are sensitive to others’ needs. Philippians 2:4 tells us we “should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Sensitivity is a tremendous strength that we can develop. We all have people around us who are hurting, We are to be sensitive to their pain and endeavor to assist them, listen to them, pray for them, and just be there for them when they need us.

Kind people encourage others. People all around us need support. Your encouragement may be the thing that motivates them to do the right thing, not to give up, or hold on a litter longer. Proverbs 15: 4 says A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Some people look for opportunities to say something kind, nice, and truthful, they are healing others, while there are those who are rude, mean, and insensitive to the needs of others, they crush people’s spirits.

Kind people tell the truth. The greatest act of kindness is to sometimes help a person to understand that they are doing wrong, that their behavior is not right, and to help them to open their eyes to truth. We “shoot straight” with people by our words of love, kindness, and mercy. Proverbs 27:6 says Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Kind people care enough to confront and rebuke a brother or sister in Christ when necessary, but they do it with love.

Kindness is not always giving people what they want, because what they want may bring them harm.

Although the Good Samaritan probably had a schedule and plans like those of the priest and Levite, he did not do what they did. He interrupted his schedule to help someone in need. This act of kindness was probably not the exception, but the rule. The Holy Spirit wants each of us to make a habit of being kind.

 

Goodness

LEARNING TO LIVE GENEROUSLY

 

A.  Who Is Good?

Good is the absence of defect or flaw and the presence of complete wholesomeness. Jesus said that only God is good. When Jesus was called “good teacher,” he responded by saying, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God”. Mark 10:18.

Jesus was not denying his deity, but he quickly challenged the man to think about what he was saying. “Sir, do you understand what you are saying when you call me good? Because only God is good.”

Agathosune, the Greek word translated “goodness, “is a rare word that combines being good and doing good. It means kindness is actual manifestation, virtue equipped for action, a bountiful propensity both to will and do what is good, intrinsic goodness producing generosity, and god like state or being.

The word “good” in the language of Scripture literally means, “to be like God.” Goodness is love in action. It carries with it not only the idea of righteousness imputed, but righteousness demonstrated in everyday living by the Holy Spirit. It is doing good out of a good heart, to please God, without expecting medals, or rewards. Christ wants this kind of goodness to be the way of life for every Christian.

“Goodness,” a word used twenty times in the Bible, describes moral or ethical character.

Romans 15:14  And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth ;)

2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

2 Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Goodness is not just what you say but what you do. Those who possess this quality are generous by nature. We can choose to act in good ways as the Holy Spirit continually prompts us to treat people as Jesus would.

 

Faithfulness

THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP

God is our best example of faithfulness; he will never break his promises to you. Paul reminded his friend Timothy that even “if we are faithless, [God] will remain faithful” 2 Timothy 2:13, for it is his very nature. You can absolutely trust him and his Word. Not doing what he said he would do is out of the realm of possibility. God wants us to be faithful like him, and as with the producing of all fruit, this is possible only as we stay connected to Jesus, the Vine.

The Scriptures are full of stories of people who were faithful to God. We are faithful in our relationships with family, friends, co-workers etc. and people in general. Most of all we are to be faithful in our obedience to the Lord. One day when we meet him face to face we will not be judged on our success, our educational achievements, or even on all that we may have given. We will be judged on how faithful we were to all that God asked us to do. You and I want to hear the beautiful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.

 

Being Friends with God

Abraham was called God’s friend, Isaiah 41:8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

What an amazing thought! We all know---or should know ---that God loves us. He desires a relationship with us, and in fact, believers are called his children. However, being God’s friend is a different kind of relationship, unique in its level of trust and respect. Friendship involves openness in communication, vulnerability, transparency, and a sharing of ideas, dreams, and goals. Friendship is special and is to be cherished.

Do you know why Abraham was called God’s friend, “Abraham believed God” James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. In addition, God could count on him to be faithful in all that he asked him to do.

Jesus called his disciples his friends. He said, John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jesus also said to his disciples John 15: 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Why did he add a requirement? I believe it has to do with trust. Jesus knows what is best for us. He knows what will work in our lives and what will injure us. Doing his will is doing what will help us in the long and short run.

You may wonder how I can be called a friend of Jesus. I still wrestle with temptation and sin and am by no means perfect. Why would he want to be friends with me? Those of us who love Christ desire to do better and be more like him. We all have to deal daily with temptation and strive to be more Christ like in our actions, thinking, and feelings. He understands our motives. He sees potential in us that many of us would not believe, and he sees promise in the worst of sinners. We should too.

 

The Story of Faithfulness

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus gave us two examples of people who were faithful and one who was not. The two who were faithful took what their master gave them and invested it wisely. The third man either was afraid of his master (“you are a hard man,” verse 24) or was lazy and did not take advantage of the opportunity that was given him. Possibly he was both.

We can learn at least four truths from this parable: God gives everyone different gifts, more responsibility is good, people who are lazy with God’s talents are punished, and only people who invest get a return.

 

• God gives everyone different gifts.

Some have the idea that God will give greater rewards to those who have incredible gifts and abilities. This is a wrong assumption. God rewards us according to how we use our gifts. He is watching our stewardship as we develop and invest our gifts. He does not compare us to anyone else. He will reward us according to how we used what we had. We do not have the same talents, abilities, or gifts as others; however, we do possess the same ability to be faithful with what we have.

 

• More responsibility is good.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

The two servants who invested their talents well received more responsibility, yet all responsibility was removed from the one who did nothing with his talent. In God’s kingdom responsibility is given to those who can handle it. Will your attitude be humble; will you work hard with what you have and remain loyal in the process? If something needs to be done and no one else will do it, will you be willing to step up to the plate and swing? If so, God will help you in your effort to do good. You will be able to look back in gratefulness that you stepped out by faith.

 

• People who are lazy with God’s talents are punished.

Matthew 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The servant who had one talent did nothing with it except bury it, forget about it, and go on with his life. His master called him lazy and wicked. He could have at least deposited it with the bankers and received some interest, but he did not even have the discipline to do that.

We all know people who work hard and have much to show for their efforts. In addition, we know of others who do nothing and have little to show.

 

 

• Only people who invest get a return.

Matthew 25:29 For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Farmers know that they have to plant their seed by faith, water it, and take care of it. If they do not plant it, they will have only weed in their fields. “Use it or lose it!” This truth has a parallel in God’s kingdom when by faith we use the talent God has given us, care for it, and work at it as we get better and be given more. That will never be taken from us. People who practice get better. If, however, we decide not to be faithful with our God given talents, they will be taken from us.

What can you do? With what has God blessed you? How are you investing it for God’s glory? Are you lazy or are you growing in maturity? Do not waste the talent God has given you.

(Now understand that God is not talking just about finances here, but about any gift he has given you. Whether it be music, writing, being a doctor, engineer, teacher, pastor, anything where stewardship is involved, God has given you that talent, that gift to use wisely and for His glory and to help others).

 

 

Gentleness

THE STRENGTH OF BEING TENDER

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit that is fundamental to our relationships, especially those that can keep us on edge- those with people who are pushy or offensive, who live in so much private pain that they reject our attempts to get close, or who have caused us to lose patience either because of our own weariness or their lack of self-control.

Gentleness is a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, unpretentious, and has its passions under control. The root praos can be translated into three different English words—“meek” Matthew 5:5, “humility” Titus 3:2, and “gentleness” Galatians 5:23. Gentleness is not to be misunderstood as weakness or a lack of internal strength. In fact, it means quite the opposite: strength under control.

The Greeks used praos when describing a wild animal that had been tamed. Picture a racehorse that has been disciplined to do exactly what its rider instructs it to do. It knows when to run with all of its tremendous strength and when to pace itself as it rounds the track. Christians who have grown in gentleness are balanced—they do not overreact or under react. They have learned temperance in their personal responsibilities, conversations, and decisions, and they understand when assertiveness or remaining quiet is in order. Gentleness is balanced and disciplined.

 

Gentleness Can Help Us Form Better Relationships

You may feel that you simply cannot develop a relationship with certain people. Let us examine how the fruit of gentleness will help you even with difficult people. Possibly the three most challenging groups are those who do not agree with us, those who correct us, and those who let us down.

 

1.   People Who Always Have a Better Idea or Challenge Our Opinion.

When we are round people who seem to constantly disagree with us, we may become defensive, we may turn quiet and unresponsive, or we may give a controlled response. A controlled response is not defensive, nor is it passive. It is a thought out, rational reply to opposition. There are times when we simply give a calm verbal reply to someone’s challenge. Other times the situation lends itself to a very strong but controlled response because it is the only thing that will be effective.

When Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there (Matthew 21:12) his statement to the merchants was, Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Because of the serious nature of the situation, strong action was required. Jesus did not react impulsively; he knew exactly what he was doing.

 

A.  People were being exploited in the name of religion.

Many worshipers were coming into the temple area who sincerely wanted to be obedient in their faith, but merchants were profiting from the people’s need for sacrificial animals. This caused great concern to Jesus because it was in direct opposition to God’s gracious, generous, and merciful nature. Jesus’ response to those who were hypocritical and took advantage of others was calculated and firm. (Matthew 23).

Even today people are being exploited by so-called healers, or evangelists who rake in money from some ones desperate need. Too often the church has remained silent in the face of such inappropriate behavior. God’s gifts, blessings, and grace are not for sale.

B.  People were being distracted from worshiping God.

All the business going on---the noisy, competitive bargaining for prices---made it difficult for people to worship and pray. Although God’s temple was to be a “house of prayer for all nations” Isaiah 56:7, and the temple court was the only place Gentiles could go to pray and the court was where the buying and selling was taking place. Those that came to seek God and worship him were quickly distracted and disillusioned by all the noise and lack of reverence.

We need to remember that many who visit our churches today sincerely want to worship God. Do they feel welcome in our church, or do we give them the impression that they are strangers and not really welcome? What do they see and hear when they walk through the church foyer? How do they interpret what goes on before and after the service begins? Do they sense our reverence, sincerity, and love for God? We need to be careful to facilitate a worshipful atmosphere. Irreverent activities, rude behavior, or coldness can turn visitors away.

1Corithians 4:21 What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

When necessary Paul could be confrontational; however, he chose to be gentle as much as possible.

He wrote to the Thessalonians, 1Thessalonians2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

When we witness to those who are curious about the gospel, we must be gentle and loving.

1Peter 3:15 says But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

What about those who strongly disagree with us and aggressively try to prove us wrong and make their point at all costs? There is no question that this kind of attack is difficult to handle; thus we must handle it in a mature manner. We can respond in a number of ways. First, we can let the person frighten us and then try to get out of the situation as quickly as possible; avoiding any conversation that would hint of the issue they are so insistent on. Second, we can become just as aggressive and let the adrenaline from our anger push us. On the other hand, third, we can keep our response under control with the fruit of gentleness.

If you notice that every time someone disagrees with you, you become defensive and angry, it could mean that you are insecure and feel that you always need to win. When someone disagrees with you and you feel angry, ask yourself, “why am I angry and what am I afraid of? What do I think I will loose if I give in? The answer may be that your self-esteem is threatened and you will look weak if you let someone else win.

When gentleness rules our lives, we will not run because we are frightened or respond angrily because we are insecure. Instead, we will be controlled and aware of the proper timing. Proverbs 15:1 tells us: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

If we are gentle, the tension will likely dissolve. A harsh reply, on the other hand, will be like pouring gasoline on a fire.

James tells us that there is a wisdom that comes from heaven. What does this kind of wisdom look like? It is “first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere” James 3:17. Then James adds that “peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” verse 18. In other words, if we let the wisdom from heaven guide our actions and reactions, we will be God’s peacemakers and will see tremendous results in the way people respond to us in life.

Gentleness chooses the right response. If a strong response is called for, it is thought out, appropriate, and sensitive to the proper timing- strength filled with tenderness.

 

2.   People Who Correct Us

How do you respond to people who advise you, correct you, or criticize something you have said or done? Next time it happens, listen to yourself and try to evaluate your feelings. To see if you have grown in the area of gentleness watch your response. Those who are strong in gentleness are not defensive, nor do they become angry. Rather, the opposite happens; they are grateful for the word of correction.

Even when we receive unjustified criticism our response must be guided by gentleness-strength under control. You may feel like snapping back at the one who criticizes you, but instead you must control your feelings and words.

This is what Proverbs says: Pro 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.

Pro 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Correction is necessary in all of our lives, and we would be wise to welcome it.

We must learn to accept correction in the home, at work, at play, where ever we may happen to be, and who ever comes in contact with us.

To keep peace in the home, at the office and even your place of worship, we need to “be completely humble and gentle.” Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

 

3.   People Who Let Us Down

When someone has disappointed or failed you, have you been tempted to give that person a piece of your mind? Probably all of us have been there. Paul, however, writes Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

(People will disappoint us from time to time, they are only human, and remember you too will sometimes disappoint others. However, God never disappoints us.)

When Jesus was asked his opinion of what should be done with the woman caught in adultery (the Pharisees wanted to stone her), he protected here and was sensitive to her obvious embarrassment. Though he did not agree with here behavior, he saw the hypocrisy of her accusers and carefully chose away to respond to their trick question and judgmental attitude. The religious leaders did not know what to say to Jesus’ response, and they and the onlookers walked away, (after he wrote their sins in the sand) then Jesus spoke confidentially to the woman about her sin and what she needed to do about it. We can be certain that this woman saw something amazingly different in Jesus’ way of addressing her situation.

We are never to gloat over someone who has been caught in sin nor should we gloat over his or her failures. This is not how God feels about people’s sin and failures. Jeremiah wrote: Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

In addition, Paul instructed that Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

How does Jesus correct you when you let him down? Peter must have felt terribly guilty and ashamed when he lied and said that he was not one of Jesus’ disciples (John 18:15-27). However, Peter had been afraid. He watched the soldiers take Jesus, and he did not want the same thing to happen to him, so he denied the Lord. He failed.

Nevertheless, after Jesus’ resurrection, he demonstrated his confidence in Peter by instructing him, “Feed my sheep,” Which means, “Take care of my people.” Jesus did not mention Peter’s denial or remind him how much he had let him down. He did the opposite by empowering him to “go for it” and to put the past behind him. Thus Jesus confirmed the words of the psalmist,

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

 

Be Strong, Courageous, and Under Control

Jesus spent a tremendous amount of time teaching his disciples. When we read the book of Acts about the amazing miracles and great evangelistic results the early church experienced, we need to realize that behind these powerful events was a solid foundation of teaching. Jesus was careful to insure that the disciples understood his Beatitudes—“be attitudes”—which contained the truths necessary to a successful life. Among them is: Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

In our power-hungry, aggressive, win-at-any-cost world, “meek” sounds like “weak,” and that is the last thing most people want. Do we need to survive and get ahead at the cost of others? Jesus has the clue to survival. He says, Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Jesus was anything but weak. He was totally in control of his life, and his self-discipline was extraordinary.

Do you want to be like Jesus? I sure do. Are you willing to let Jesus teach you? If so, he will give you the same teaching he gave his disciples two thousand years ago. Be meek, be gentle, have power under control and a life that demonstrates balance in the way you respond to people.

One of the characteristics of maturity is the ability to listen to wise people. Proverbs 13:10 says Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Wise people listen to wise people; they are teachable. God’s leaders are open to different opinions and new information. James said, James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

In other words, humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. “Humbly” and “gently” come from the same original word as “meekness.” ‘Humbly” means to be teachable, to learn, and obey truth.

The godliest people listen to the advice of others, they are teachable, and are careful in the way the respond to people. Their words are carefully chosen. Some of these people grew up in homes where yelling and fighting to win arguments was the rule. Instead of letting that way of life influence them, they live as if it never happened. They are full of wisdom, demonstrate anything but weakness, and are a joy to be around. What happened to them? They connected with the Vine and began producing his fruit of gentleness.

 

Self-Control

MASTERING OUR PASSIONS

 

What is self-control?

The Greek word translated “self-control” is a combination of two Greek words: en kratos. En means “in” and kratos means “strength, power, might, or dominion.” A person with en kratos is a person who has strength within. Kratos is a word that has been passed on to our English language in words like democratic (“power-power/rule”) theocratic (“God-power/rule”), and autocratic (“self-power/rule”).

The question we must ask ourselves is “Who rules our lives?” Who decides what we are going to do and why we will make a decision? Self-control is one of the greatest abilities we can have. However, we must not misunderstand and think that it is of our own accord or ability that gives us en kratos. This fruit develops in our lives as we stay close to Jesus and mature in our Christian walk. Multitudes of people have self-control in one area of their lives but are falling apart in another. Someone once said, “There are men who can command armies but cannot command themselves. There are men who by their burning words can sway vast multitudes, but who cannot keep silence under provocation or wrong. The highest mark of nobility is self-control. It is more kingly than regal crown and purple robe.”

The ancient Stoics used the term self-control to describe characteristic of a person who was able to morally restrain himself when tempted by evil pleasures, so as to maintain his ethical freedom. In the New Testament it refers to allowing the Holy Spirit to empower a person so that he or she is able to voluntarily abstain from anything (especially immoral sexual passion) that might hinder fulfillment of his or her divinely appointed task.

Self-control is the answer to the question “How do we keep from yielding to the acts of the sinful nature?” Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Paul comments that the actions of the sinful nature are clear: Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The list of behaviors may seem extreme, but they certainly are not uncommon in the stories we can read about in today’s newspaper. People—yes, even Christian people—can do the things that Paul mentioned. This is one of the reasons he wanted us to understand the difference between yielding to a natural desire and walking in the Spirit. The sinful nature is part of all our lives, and the only way to control it is to live by the Spirit.

We believe that God planned for the list of fruit in Galatians 5:22-23 to begin with love and end with self-control. The ability to have self-control comes as a result of our growing in the preceding eight qualities. The fruit all work together as people experience different situations and temptations in life. No matter what comes our way, whether it is persecution, stress, or a wrong desire, we can handle the situation as Jesus would. He used all of the fruit as he encountered various people and difficult situations.

When we love, we are more joyful. When we have love and joy, we have peace. When we have love, joy, and peace, patience is their companion. Kindness will naturally emanate from a disposition of love, joy, peace, patience, and goodness. With these portions of the fruit functioning, a foundation is laid for self-control, which allows us to live a life of balance and gives us the strength to stand against excess.

 

How to Grow in Self Control

In the story The Lord of the Rings, it describes a mysterious ring that possessed great power and every person who touched the ring became consumed with the desire to own it. However, unbeknown to them, they had become enslaved to it.

Just as the ring enslaved the character Frodo in the story, pleasures, even seemingly innocent activities and behaviors, can enslave us.

Here is an example; weight loss programs are being promoted, why? Many people are enslaved to food, they do not know how to eat in moderation, and they do not know when to stop. Likewise, people become addicted to prescription medication that is supposed to help them but they become enslaved to it. People can also become addicted work, sports, television, exercise, sex, and a host of other activities, which are not bad if done in moderation and according to God’s principles, which are found in the Bible.

Proverbs 25:28 says He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

 

Getting Control of Yourself

Do you feel out of control? If you are the parent of small children, you probably have had times of despair when you wanted to throw your hands up in the air and shout, “I’ll never be a great parent!” Remember, God will help you in every aspect of your life.

(The problem is trying to keep in control of over disciplining your child and harming them. That also goes for all aspects of your life and with who ever you come in contact with.)

All of us have had days like that. Part of understanding this fruit in your life is to know that you can keep trying, keep working at it, and a day will come when you can look back and see your growth. You may also see emotional, physiological, and sociological benefits.

 

Here are some facts on the following:

1.   Alcohol abuse

Alcohol abuse is highest among those with little or no religious commitment. One study found that 89 percent of alcoholics said they lost interest in religion during their youth.

 

2.   Drug abuse

Joseph Califano, former secretary of the Dept. of Health and Human Services and head of Columbia University’s Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse recently released the results of a three-year study showing the relationship between substance abuse and crime. In 80 percent of criminal offenses, alcohol or drugs were implicated. He said in “Every individual I have met who successfully came off drugs or alcohol, religion has been the key to rehabilitation in this area.

 

3.   Depression and stress

Several studies have found that high levels of religious commitment correlate with lower levels of depression and stress. They have found that Christians are far less likely to experience mental disorders that their secular counterparts. Why? Because, “the one essential feature that characterizes all types of depression” is the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness,” and Christians are never without hope.”

 

4.   Suicide

Persons who do not attend church are four times more likely to commit suicide than those who frequently attend.

(Personal note: Suicide rates are higher in non-Christians and in those that have no religious affiliations. At the time that I did not attend church or walk with God is when Satan took hold and I made my suicide attempts. It is not to say that I still do not think about suicide, but the big point here is that I do not act on it now. When you walk with God you do what you can to please him.)

 

5.   Family stability

In a study of the factors that contribute to healthy families, meaning families with good morals and those that have strong religious beliefs, 84 percent of strong families identified religion as an important contributor to their strength.

(The family unit has suffered since the Second World War, when mothers went off into the work force as the husbands were away fighting. With the invention of television,

TV dinners, you remember those, they came in little trays and you heated them up in the oven and sat in front of the TV and ate. This was the start of the break down of the family unit. Moreover, as time progressed, the family fell apart. Long gone are the family dinners where you all sat together, ate, and discussed your day at school or work. Today with fast food, instant dinners, and rush and hurry up mentalities, we have lost sight of what God had in mind for us and what the family unit should be).

 

6.   Physical health

Studies have shown that maternity patients and their newborns have fewer medical complications if the mothers have a religious affiliation. Belonging to a religious group can lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and enhance survival after a heart attack. Heart surgery patients with strong religious beliefs are much more likely to survive surgery. Elderly men and women who attend worship services are less depressed and physically healthier than are their peers with no religious faith.

This does not mean that every person who is a Christian is healthy, happy, and successful; (I can attest to that), however, evidence is convincing that one of the greatest assurances of a fulfilled and in-control life is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Among the most important determinants of human happiness and well-being are our spiritual beliefs, and moral choices.

 

Understand Self-Control and Discipline

Self-control and self-discipline work together. Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers, 1Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

1Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

Here Paul is giving us a philosophy of life and instruction about how to win in life until we reach the finish line in heaven. He shares several truths.

 

1.   Life is a race.

No athlete wins unless he or she is in top condition. The wonderful thing about Christianity is that, because of God’s grace, all believers can be in good condition. Paul said, Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

In addition, this holds true for all of us. Where we may have been out of control before we came to Christ, we now can have self-control because he will give us the ability. Winning life’s race requires keeping our lives under control. Proverbs 16:32 tells us, He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

 

2.   Winning the race requires discipline.

Discipline is critical in the race of life. Our generation suffers from a lack of determination. We constantly need to discipline our bodies by avoiding activities that would be harmful to them. We must discipline our thinking by being cautious about what we read, watch, or think. We must determine to feed our minds truth and purity. We must discipline our spiritual life by developing habits of Bible study, mediation, fasting, and prayer. Peter said, 2Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance (self-control) patience; and to patience godliness;

We need to keep in shape so that we can win and not lose.

 

3.   We need to know where we are going.

We have all met people who seem to not know where they are going in life. They have not made a commitment to serve Christ and be obedient to his commands. They may attend church sometimes or read their Bibles, but they have not decided to die to themselves and life for God. In order for them to win the race for eternal life, they need to make up their minds that this is what they want and change directions.

 

 

4.   We need to know the value of reaching the goal.

Jesus said, John 10:10 the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The prize of eternal life is worth the strict training and denial of our sinful nature. If we keep our eye on the goal and do not let anything distract us, we will understand that it will be worth it all when we get to heaven. (We must deny ourselves things that will harm us, be they food items that harm the body, or books and media that harm the mind. We must deny ourselves the world and all its trappings.)

 

5.   We cannot hope to help others be winners unless we are winners ourselves.

When others watch our life and see us succeeding as we overcome harmful habits, temptations, and behaviors, they will receive encouragement that they can persevere too. They will wonder what makes our lives tick. How do we keep our lives disciplined and our marriages working? How do we avoid destructive habits? Why do we have such unusual peace in spite of the heartaches of life? When they see us winning life’s race, they will wonder where we got all our skills. Our response to them is that they can know the same Jesus we know, and he will enable them to be winners too.

 

Don’t Look Back

If we are to grow in the area of self-control, we cannot let our past mistakes persuade us that we will never live an overcoming life. Some let their failures paralyze them and they quit trying. Whether it be going to college and not making it, or marriage and it fell apart, or a job that did not work out or they sinned and feel they will never be in relationship with God again. In Christ we can put our past behind us. Paul said, Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

If we constantly look back to our failures or the times we did not accomplish a goal, we will let discouragement come into our lives and will not have the will to try again. We can learn from our mistakes and become better people because we have grown, but we must not let ourselves get stuck in the past.

Many have tried to quit a destructive habit, get their anger under control, or develop a discipline only to fail over and over. As Christians we have an advantage. We can pray, seeking God’s forgiveness for sinful behavior and asking him for ways to overcome our habits. We can “forget what is behind” and go after the goal.

 

Your Feelings Can Be Ignored

Emotions and positive feelings certainly add spice to life, but many people depend on their feelings to determine what kind of day they are going to have. At times, however, feelings can deceive us.

To become more self-controlled we need to be able to rule our feelings. Society bombards us with the idea of following our emotions. That is why there is so much credit card debt and bankruptcies in this country.

Advertisers aim at our emotions. If they can convince our feelings that we need something, there is a good chance we will buy what they are promoting. (TV is the devils eye and invention).

We may have improper feelings that urge us to do something that is physically, mentally, or spiritually harmful. Temptation feeds on our feelings, and that is where we must win in the battle against sin and behavior that can push our lives out of control. Paul wrote,

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

This “present age” has a multitude of temptations and attractions that can throw us off course. However, God’s grace is more powerful than any television commercial, desire, wrong feeling, or temptation. His grace teaches us to say, “NO! I will not do that. I don’t care how I feel about it:” I’m going to be self-controlled.” We can take charge of our moods, saying, I am going to have a good day and rejoice in all that God has done for me” This is not just positive confession: it is reality. God has done much for all of us.

Another way to control moods and desires is by carefully choosing the company we keep. Paul cautioned, 1Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Emotions can be contagious. If we spend a lot of time with those who are emotionally driven rather that rationally driven, we may end up wanting to do what they do. If we have friends who are “mad at the world,” we may become like them. Proverbs 22:24-25 warns us, Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

On the other hand if we associate with people of good character who are in control of their emotions, they will likely have a good influence on us.

 

You can choose to over come your bad moods. Although feelings of temptation, discouragement, and sometimes-even depression are common in life, we do not need to let these feelings control us. We can choose to follow Paul’s advice: Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

Permit the Holy Spirit to Direct Your Life

 

The Holy Spirit has everything in control. He has perfect balance and will never operate outside of his boundaries of truth. He knows when anger has gone too far and fear is not healthy. He knows how much self-discipline we can handle and when we need to relax. With our permission he will grow the fruit of self-control in our lives.

 

Self-control is not just something we determine to do on our own; it is the fruit of God’s presence in our lives. Paul wrote, Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Living by the Spirit means that we obey the Holy Spirit’s instructions on how to live.

 

When we live by the Spirit we obey God’s word. We avoid situations and things about which we feel conviction. The Holy Spirit helps us to feel sensitive when we get out of balance; then we make the decision to get back into balance. We are careful about what we say, following the instruction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who lives in us helps us when we fight battles of temptation, sin, gossip, overeating, discouragement, or anything else. It is not our own effort that allows us to overcome, rather, the Spirit of God helps us get under control and live by the Spirit. Paul wrote to the Philippian believers, Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 

Who Has control of Your Life?

Producing the fruit of self-control is not something that comes naturally; it is supernatural. Therefore, you need God’s help.

Permit God to show you his love and mercy. Let him fill you up with himself. Surrender your life completely to Christ and determine that you are going to love him with all your heart, soul, and mind. As you do this, let him express his attributes through your behavior and in the way you treat people. Focus on Christ and let him fill you so that when others see you, they see him. Read the Bible, start with the New Testament, and ask God to speak to you. Do not try to figure everything out, let the words speak to you and know that the Holy Spirit is there to guide you and help you understand it.

 

After you have finished reading think, “what have I just read” and then find a place to pray. You can pray walking, sitting, lying on the floor, or driving in your car. Try to pray about what the Bible has said to you. Be honest with God and admit that it seems impossible to do things his way. Talk to him about your failures and disappointments. He knows you better than you know yourself, and he loves you more than you can imagine. Tell him over and over, “Thank you for your complete forgiveness in my life. Thank you for your love and compassion for me. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

 

Let God take control of your life. When he does you will begin acting like him. You will remind people of Christ as his fruit is supernaturally produced in you.

 

 

 

 

 

Winning the Battle Within

 

The Power of a Victorious Life

 

God is interested in you and me bearing a lot of fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

Three different kinds of fruit are mentioned in the New Testament. One is the kind we eat, another is children, and the third is the spiritual fruit. When we produce fruit that is characteristic of Jesus, the Father is glorified. How can we develop that kind of fruit? Knowing who our enemy is and understanding how committed God is to our growth are key to our fruit bearing.

 

Farmers Fight the Elements; We Fight the Flesh

 

Fruit farmers are very aware of the challenges weather can bring in both summer and winter. Depending on the stage of growth, trees can suffer greatly when they experience adverse conditions.

 

Due to winter conditions exceeding temperatures 20 degrees below zero for over five days, orchard trees in a nursery can be damaged to the point where the trees ability to draw life from the roots will be impaired; or in some of the wood, tissues are destroyed. The tree’s ability to draw life is gone. With some of the trees they had to be cut into the center of the limb and were found to be dark and partly dead, therefore, unable to pump the needed amounts of water and nutrition up to the leaves and the fruiting limbs. Some of the damage was so severe that they had to be destroyed, while to save others the worst of the limbs were cut off. Without the ability to draw life from the soil and water, the tree is of no use.

 

Just as fruit farmers fight the cold winters, dry summers and natural elements, we too face a constant battle. If our roots are not deep in Christ, we can be terribly affected by the stress, trials, and temptations of life.

 

The Great struggle within every Christian is between the sinful nature and the Spirit. Paul said, Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

You can choose to live by the Spirit or die to the passions of the flesh. Paul said, 1Corithians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

A person who yields to the sinful nature may manifest some virtuous characteristics, but the person who lives by the Spirit will manifest all of the fruit of the Spirit.

 

In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists fifteen acts of the sinful nature that can be divided into four categories: illicit sex (sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery), illicit worship (idolatry and witchcraft), breakdown in relationships with people (hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy), and excesses (drunkenness, and orgies).

 

 

Sexual Sins (illicit sex)

 

The first is sexual immorality or fornication. This denotes any sexual intercourse outside of marriage.

The second, impurity or uncleanness, refers to the filthy lifestyle of the person who misuses sex.

The third, debauchery or licentiousness, describes the activity of the person whose sexual conduct is out of control.

 

Looking at Paul’s list of sexual sins, we cannot help but think about the day we live in. Sex is big business today, and television producers like to flaunt gratuitous sex to get ratings. They tell you that sexual contact is ok outside of the marriage. Through out the media, in, outside of our homes, and on the internet sexual language and behavior is less and less restraint.

 

We see on television that it is ok to be homosexual and of lesbian character. Each time a person sees immoral behavior; he or she is less shocked by it and eventually becomes more comfortable with it.

 

Wrongful Spiritual Experiences (illicit worship)

 

The first wrongful spiritual experience Paul lists in Galatians 5:20 is idolatry, which points to any form of worship toward an object, principle, idea, or being other than God. In Colossians 3:5, greed is listed as a form of idolatry, because whenever a person feels greed for something it can become an object of worship.

Second in Paul’s list is witchcraft, a term that comes from the Greek word pharmakeia. Our word pharmacy is derived from the same word. In ancient times pharmakeia was used to describe two types of behavior: the use of drugs to poison people and, as here, the use of drugs in witchcraft. In Paul’s world and in ours today, it is not uncommon for those who are involved in the occult or witchcraft to use drugs to enhance their transcendental spiritual experience.

 

Wrongful Breakdowns in Personal Relationships

 

Paul’s list of behaviors that will tear apart any marriage, family, church, or friendship is long, perhaps because so much of what we do is wrapped around our relationships with people.

The first behavior he mentions is hatred. This may refer to hostilities between individuals or between communities on political, racial, or religious grounds.

Discord or quarrelsomeness looks for opportunities to be disagreeable. Paul is especially concerned about this attitude and behavior disrupting peace in the churches. Jealousy or insisting on being number one or overly self-assertive can cause us to resent someone’s success, distinction, or recognition when we do not receive the same.

Fits of rage or explosive anger would include out-of-control anger or outbursts.

Selfish ambition is the opposite of having a servant attitude. It continually asks, “What’s in it for me?

Dissensions divide people rather than unite them. Paul instructed the Roman believers to “watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned” Romans 16:17.

Factions can be viewed as cliques or a sectarian attitude that ignores or turns against those not in one’s group.

Envy is a mean word in the Greek language. It denotes a grudging attitude that cannot bear to even think about someone else’s success or prosperity.

 

These breakdowns in personal relationships can be found throughout society. WE live in a time when many care only about the payoff for themselves, not what they can do for others. Paul wrote: 2Timothy 3:1-4 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

 

Sinful Excesses

 

Paul first lists drunkenness, which was a problem in ancient society and most certainly is today. Drunkenness weakens people’s rational and moral control. Anything that alters one’s ability to think clearly and act responsibly is a problem.

The last word Paul uses is orgies---a word frequently used in close association with drunkenness in the New Testament. This is uncontrolled revelry, taking part in unrestrained festivities. Orgies then as today have the same meaning, the sexual immoral conduct of a group of people in one place for sinful pleasure.

 

Paul’s list shows examples of the bad fruit people produce when the Holy Spirit is not in control of their lives. For Paul ‘inheriting’ or ‘not inheriting’ the kingdom . . . is a matter of whether or not one is a believer.

Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

 

How can we control these drives within us? How can we be sure the acts of the sinful nature will not suddenly manifest themselves in our lives? How can we demonstrate to a lost world that Christ truly has made a difference in our character and behavior?

 

The answer is in knowing that as a born-again Christian, in God’s viewpoint and in reality, you have already won the victory over your sin. Paul said, Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

“Have crucified” is past tense. this means that when you gave your life to Christ, your sinful nature, with all of its disgusting behavior, was crucified. When Christ was crucified, “he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” 1 Peter 2:24. This is why Paul could say in Romans 6:2-4, 11: 

God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

 

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

It is a matter of perspective. From God’s point of view we are his children. Because of the cross of Christ, our old nature is already dead. From our point of view God administered a fatal dose of the righteousness of Christ to our old sinful nature. Paul reminded the believers in Colossians, Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Colossians 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight:

From God’s view of eternity our cases have already been settled and our names have been recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.

 

We Must Permit Our Caretaker to Prune Us.

 

Jesus said, John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Whether we understand it or not or like it or not, we all need to be pruned—sometimes radically.

 

The cause and effect of pruning in dormancy or during the growing season is complex. For example:

    Dormant pruning usually causes vigor in a fruit tree.

    Summer pruning can reduce vigor in a fruit tree.

    Summer pruning before mid-June affects fruit spur development for the next growing season.

    Summer pruning at the right time will enhance the color of the fruit. If pruning is done at the wrong time or too much pruning is done, it will produce sunburn.

    If the farmer does not know which limbs have fruit spurs for next year’s crop, the inexperienced cutting may reduce the crop for up to two to three years.

    The farmer needs to know how to cut the limbs with no fruit spurs so that fruit spurs develop.

    During the first four to five years of a tree’s life, training is critical. Structure limbs are trained or bent at correct angles. If the limb is too flat, it will lose vigor, thus reducing the needed growth and causing the limb to over fruit. If the branch is left too upright, the tree will remain juvenile and will not develop fruit spurs. In many new orchards, trellis systems are used to train and support dwarf trees. This is even more complex.

 

Wow. You never knew what went into that great apple or peach that you enjoy to eat did you? One thing is very clear, however, it is critical that the fruit farmer knows what he is doing. If he does not, the end result could be disaster.

 

As Christians we are the branches that need to be pruned. Why? To produce more of the Spirit’s fruit. By the way, have you wondered about the branches that are cut off? Fruit Farmers call those branches “sucker limbs.” They are called that because they suck moisture and nutrients from the tree and give nothing in return. The suckers also produce shade so the sun cannot get to the center of the tree. Since the sun affects how fast the fruit grows and gives it its color, too much shade can have a negative effect on the fruit.

 

Some of Jesus followers are lovely fruit bearing branches; others are useless because they bear no fruit. Who was Jesus thinking of when he spoke of the fruitless branches? There are two answers. First, he was thinking of the Jews. They were branches of God’s vine. Was not that the picture that prophet after prophet had drawn? However, they refused to listen to him; they refused to accept him; therefore they were withered and useless branches.

Second, he was thinking of something more general. He was thinking of Christians whose Christianity consisted of profession without practice, words with out deeds, he was thinking of Christians who were useless branches, all leaves, and no fruit. In addition, he was thinking of Christians who became apostates, who heard the message, accepted it, and then fell away, becoming traitors to the Master they had once pledged themselves to serve.

 

Where do you need to be pruned? Have you found a place of rest and trust as God lovingly deals with you in areas that need to be trimmed? Since every Christian needs to be pruned periodically, it is important that we have the right attitude toward god’s discipline.

 

We Need to Live in the Spirit to Produce the Spirit’s Fruit

 

Galatians 5:16 says, this I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

 

Remind yourself of who you are in Christ. Try to look at yourself from God’s perspective. Remember, you have God helping you, and as you mature in Christ you will become stronger and stronger in his fruit. You can always trust God to be hear when you need his strength. Jeremiah 17:1-8 reminds us of this promise:

 

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

 

Living by the Spirit means letting your conduct be directed by the Spirit.

 

Walking in the Spirit Is Not Complicated

 

Paul reminded the Roman believers, Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, our ever-present help, and he will encourage us, help us, convict us, and direct our lives. When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, we depend on God for everything—every day. Paul continued by saying,

Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

 

We breathe by inhaling fresh air and exhaling bad air. We can do this anytime anywhere. You can stop for two minutes, but after that your done, its all over.

Living by the Spirit is similar to breathing. We exhale the impure and inhale the pure. We resist and reject the bad (acts of the sinful nature) and embrace the good (fruit of the Spirit). When you become aware of something you do, think, or feel that is sinful, you deal with it right then. Whatever you are doing, wherever you are, and whomever you are with, you can mentally whisper a prayer and ask God to forgive and help you.

 

1 John 1:9 says If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When you confess to God that you have spoken inappropriately and pray, “Lord, forgive me for what I said,” you are exhaling the sinful act. When you pray, “Lord help me to control my tongue and to be sensitive to people, especially my family; please help me say words that will bless people and encourage them,” you are inhaling the pure.

 

How often you need to do this is as often as you feel it is necessary. Whenever we grieve the Holy Spirit by our inappropriate actions, misspoken words, and wrong attitudes, we must repeat the process.

 

By praying and asking God’s help you will develop godly habits. You will become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit in your life and will live by the Spirit. It may seem overwhelming at first, and you may need to do it every five minutes, but as you live by the Spirit you will need to “exhale” less often.

 

Christians sometimes disobey the Spirit’s voice for long periods of time by refusing to change or walk away form the sin in their lives. Paul said, Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 

This is a continuous process we must go through if we want to be close to the Spirit and to God. The longer we are inhaling him and exhaling sinful activities the deeper our roots will go into the soil of Christian maturity.

 

The Bible tells us that Enoch walked with God Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Think about it. Every day Enoch walked so close to God that a day came when Enoch moved from earth to heaven! Enoch lived by the Spirit throughout each day, and one day, in a blink, he was in heaven.

 

You too can walk with God---it is a process. Moreover, do not feel that it is impossible. Remember, nothing is impossible for God, and nothing is too hard for him. Luke 1:37 For with God Nothing shall be impossible

 

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

 

The Holy Spirit will help you. You will find yourself becoming more sensitive to people. Your attitude and temper will be affected, and you will begin to notice that you are not as uptight or angry. Listening to certain types of humor watching certain kinds of television programs will bother you, and you will walk away or turn the TV off. The Holy Spirit will redirect your life and he will help you act in ways that are holy and righteous.

 

 

Begin Today

 

You may feel that the fruit of the Spirit is something you desire but is impossible to obtain. You may feel insecure, frightened, and out of step with God’s Spirit. Like a tiny container of salt water compared to the Pacific Ocean, you may feel small and insignificant. However, remember, “You have been given fullness in Christ.” We are not just small containers of God’s power and fruit—we are conduits. God fully intends to increase our power and fruit in your life for eternity. If you have not begun your life in the Spirit, you can begin today.

 

 

May God Bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand.

Sister Donna

Fruits of the Spirit

 

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith (faithfulness),

Galatians 5:23 Meekness (gentleness), temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.

 

When Jesus was explaining to his disciples how they would be able to produce God’s fruit, he used the analogy of a vineyard.

John 15:1-17 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

  If a man abides not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, that he may give it you.

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 

He said they were, as the branches of a vine the heavenly Father, the Gardener, would prune so that they could produce fruit. He also told them what the fruit would look like and why some branches had to be destroyed. Jesus Christ, the Vine, is perfect. He desires for us to produce fruit like that of our Creator, and he knows that this is possible only if we are connected to him. As we grow in our Christian walk, we understand more and more why we must be pruned.

 

How Can We Produce God’s Fruit?

 

As a vineyard or orchard owner knows, dried up, dead branches do not produce fruit, for the branches are unable to receive nourishment from the vine. If the branches are healthy and properly connected to the vine, however, so that nutrients can flow through them, they will produce fruit as healthy as the vine to which they are attached. Likewise, we will produce the kind of fruit that pleases God if we are connected to his Son. Jesus said, John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

When our lives are totally committed to God and we are determined to obey him, we will bear the fruit of Christ because he is the Vine! We cannot help bearing all the fruit of the Spirit when we remain in him.

 

 

The Gardner

Jesus said, "My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

A gardener puts seed into the ground and carefully cultivates it. As the plant begins to grow branches, the gardener prunes them so that the plant will produce more fruit. Pruning strengthens a plant by ridding it of unproductive branches, and nearly all fruit plants have to be pruned at least once annually in order to produce a good crop. A farmer knows that some branches will never produce fruit and therefore cuts them off completely.

Some Christians live in fear that God will cut them off because they continue to struggle with wrong attitudes or seem continually to be tempted to do things that they know are sinful. The key for them is not to quit the faith but to remain and know that God will help them overcome. Jesus said that the will of the Father is "that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day" John 6:39. Though you may feel that God has been pruning you and perhaps has cut you off, you need to know that his will is that none will be lost. Discipline can be difficult and painful, but when we have been trained by it we are grateful for the lessons we have learned.

Branches that do not bear any fruit are cut off. Jesus said that we will know his disciples by the fruit they yield. Matthew 7:15-23.

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils. and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Some people call themselves disciples but produce no fruit to indicate it. These people are illegitimate branches-they profess to be Christians but have words without actions, branches with leaves but no fruit. They are apostates who heard the gospel and believed it but decided not to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. In this way they become traitors to the Lord. As humans we sometimes may have difficulty determining exactly who is a true disciple, but God always knows those who belong to him and those who do not. Fruitless branches are on their way to destruction.

Therefore, here are my thoughts on the matter:

(We who represent the branches of the Vine, who is Christ, must remain true and stay away from any doctrines that are not fruitful. There are many people out there today that talk a good talk and seem to have the answers, but beware; they are not of the vine. They are not of the branches that belong to Christ. They may think they are, but they are not. Be wary of who you listen to, always ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to know if this person speaks Christ's truth. If his fruit is not there then flee from him. Remain true to the Vine and your branches will be full.) 

We are not destroyed when we are pruned, for our heavenly Father prunes us according to his tremendous wisdom and love. If he did not prune us, we would not grow. As we mature in Christ we should even look forward to our Father’s pruning and shaping, for he sees things in our lives that we do not see. He knows our hearts when we do not. He has complete understanding, knows the direction we are headed, and can from his motivation of love create roadblocks in our lives. He always knows what is best for us and never intends to bring harm; rather he will help us become more like his Son.

 

God typically prunes his children by conviction from the Holy Spirit; when we contemplate sinning he convicts us for our feelings, thinking, or behavior. Conviction makes us feel guilty and motivates us to stop what we are doing that is displeasing to God. All of us struggle with sin in our lives, and thus we also experience conviction. The Holy Spirit is our trusted friend who warns us to flee temptation and shows us what we need to do to avoid living an unholy life. What a wonderful blessing it is to know that God is watching out for us in case our motives are wrong or our plans are potentially harmful to us. We need to listen to his loving conviction.

 

Another way that God typically prunes his children is by discipline. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his Father? If you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. . . God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness” Hebrews 12:7, 8, 10.

 

In the 1900’s many owners of small farms in America began to reduce their wholesale farming into a mere sideline and started using their property as entertainment farming. Paying customers were attracted to these farms for the purpose of listening to country bands, running through cornfield mazes, petting corrals for the children, and it all boiled down to paying for admission, for food and entertainment.

 

Sometimes a Christian or a church is diverted from the central purpose of producing fruit and resembles an entertainment farmer instead. However, fruitfulness is God’s will for every Christian and every church. When we are fruitless we can be assured that we have turned aside from our purpose and God will bring conviction and or discipline.

 

God cares about us and will discipline us so that we can be participants in his holiness, righteousness, and peace. Some of us may remember the saying; “I’ll need to take him to the woodshed.” This was the place where discipline was met out, where Mom or Dad carried out the difficult task of helping a child understand his or her behavior was unacceptable. On the wall of one woodshed hung a belt with the inscription above it, “I need thee every hour!” Likewise, if we are to become better persons, we need God’s loving discipline. Since God’s discipline our being pruned makes us holier and in turn produces more fruit, we should desire discipline.

Here also is an excerpt from "Reflections of God's Glory by Corrie Ten Boom.

Chapter 2, The Lord's Garden page 24, 26

I was in a jail cell all alone for four months. That was a time of plowing. I thought, "There'll be nothing left of me." I was desperate, but I suddenly saw God's side of things. I saw myself as a field that was being plowed and weeded.

A soul so prepared is ready to bring forth fruit to the glory of God. What are you? Are you a wilderness or a garden for the Lord? If you are a wilderness, come to Jesus; He will not reject you. He has changed many wildernesses into gardens full of flowers and fruit.

He can make you into a garden under heavenly cultivation, walled by grace, planted according to a divine pattern, tilled by love, weeded by heavenly discipline, and protected by divine omnipotence.

Hear the pray of Corrie Ten Boom:

"Thank you, Lord, that all 'wilderness' people can come to you, and that you don't reject them. You cultivate them to make them into a garden of the Lord, with much fruit and beautiful flowers, by Your Holy Spirit. In addition, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Moreover, Lord, then You can use them wonderfully in this 'wilderness' world to feed and empower others. Listen, Lord, to each one who now prays, 'Lord Jesus, my life looks more like a wilderness than a garden. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that from now on I can receive power to be a faithful, cheerful witness who bears fruit. 'Thank You that Your Word says that whoever prays for the Holy Spirit can be sure of receiving Him. Hallelujah! Amen."

 

 

The Vine and the Branches

 

The Vine:

 

Jesus said in John 15:1, "I am the true (alethinos) vine." He could have said, "I am a vine" or "I am the vine," but he wanted to emphatically communicate to his disciples that he is the only vine that is legitimate. The meaning of the original word alethinos is "true, real, and genuine." Jesus is truth; and he is the only vine that branches can be connected to in order to produce God's fruit. He is the creator; the sinless, omnipotent Son of God; and the only way to heaven. He speaks with authority as no one else can.

 

The connection between a vine and a branch is a living one. No work of a human can affect it; the branch is such only by the creator's own work, in virtue of which the life and the fruitfulness of the vine communicate themselves to the branch. Therefore, it is with believers. The believer's union with the Lord Jesus is no work of human wisdom or human will, but an act of God by which the closed and the most complete-life-union is effected between the Son of God and the sinner: "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. Galatians 4:6. The same Spirit who dwelt, and still dwells in the Son becomes the life of the believer; in the unity of that one Spirit and the fellowship of the same life which is in Christ, the believer is one with him. Just as between a vine and a branch, the union between the Vine and the believer is a life-union that makes them one.

 

Without the Vine the branch can do nothing. To the Vine it owes its right of place in the vineyard, its life, and its fruitfulness.

 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are connected to the Vine. Through his roots, the nourishment of the Spirit flows into you and enables you to act like Christ and exhibit "the fruit of the Spirit." You are different from what you were before you gave your life to Christ. Before, you could not have modeled the kind of love, peace, self-control, or kindness that is the Spirit's fruit. However, when you daily cling to and rely on the Vine, you will grow God's fruit, for this is a supernatural ability that only believers in Christ can enjoy. Loving people who are not Christians have shown tremendous acts of kindness. If, however, they had been connected to the Vine, think how much more they could have been and done.

 

The Branches

 

Jesus tells us, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If any man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

The word remain is used ten times in the first ten verses of John 15. As Christians we are branches, and to produce fruit we must “remain” in the Vine. William Barclay explains,

 

Suppose a person is weak. He has fallen into temptation; he has made a mess of things; he is on the way down to degeneracy of mind and heart and mental fiber. Now suppose that he has a friend of a strong, lovely, and loving nature, who rescues him for his degrading situation. There is only one way in which he can retain his reformation and keep himself on the right way. He must keep in contact with his friend. If he loses that contact, all the chances are that his weakness will overcome him; the old temptations will rear their heads again; and he will fall. His salvation lies in continual contact with the strength of his friend.

 

Some of us know that we need to be in relationship with certain healthy people because they encourage us, counsel us, and give us strength. We know that as long as they are around we are safe. I have watched people who come from devastating pasts, including lives of abuse and addictions to drugs, alcohol, or gambling. When they determine to trust Christ and grow in the faith, they are safe. Some of them decide along the way to return to some of their old ways. They begin to miss church services, avoid some of their strong Christian friends, associate with their previous non-Christian friends, and rationalize that they are strong enough to do some of what they did when their lives were a mess. They subtly slip back into the black hole of devastation. They do not remain in the victory of the Lord and the enemy of their souls is ready to snatch them back.

 

We must hunger desperately for ways to cling to the Vine, our life source. Our lives must constantly demonstrate our desire to hold onto Jesus, to cling to him, and to become like him. We can be assured that if we remain in the Lord he will produce through us fruit that reminds people of him.

 

Jesus often used nature to illustrate spiritual truth, and the organic metaphor in this passage speaks of reproductive life. The vine, branches, and fruit constitute an integrated biological system in which fruit is derived from the nutrients of the soil. Just as the branch must receive its life from the vine, so believers must depend upon and look to the life of Christ within them to find their spiritual vitality. In addition, just as the fruit nourishes others and contains within itself the seeds of its own reproduction, so the outward manifestation of the life of Christ in us nourishes and reproduces his life in others. If any part of the system malfunctions, the byproduct of the fruit will fail to appear.

 

The secret of Jesus’ fruitful life was his contact with the Father. Luke informs us that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” Luke 5:16. We too must keep in contact with –that is, remain in- Jesus by praying, reading our Bibles, and obeying what we read. Our remaining in Christ is the key to our survival. Therefore, every day we must deliberately make an effort to find ways to communicate with him, depend on him, and obey what he tells us to do. We sincerely want God’s direction, advice, and the true wisdom that can come only from him.

 

God also provides our spiritual nourishment. At times our daily devotional life makes us feel incredibly close to God, but much of the time it is something like eating a meal. We “feel” little if anything spiritual other than that we are seeking a closer relationship with Christ. However, when we have communicated with the “Truth” and have been in his presence, the desire to touch anything evil is diminished. We must stay connected to the Vine if we want to be healthy Branches

 

 

The Fruit

 

Jesus tells us that it is for the “Fathers glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” John 15:8. Here is a comment on the difference between “fruits” and “fruit.” The Bible talks of the fruit of the Spirit rather than the fruits. A tree may bear many apples, but all come from the same tree. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is the source of all fruit in our lives.” As our life is enriched by Christ we demonstrate many Christ-like attributes and bring glory to God. In Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians, he said that those who follow the Lord “bring with them most excellent fruits and maximum usefulness, for they that have them give glory to God and with the same do allure and provoke others to embrace the doctrine and faith of Christ.”

 

When people experience our fruit by seeing us act in ways that are different from the ways the world would act, they want to know more about the God who enabled us to be this way. In his book The Fruit of the Spirit, Manford George Gutzke compares the fruit of the Spirit to beams of light: “All the colors of the rainbow are in every beam of sunlight. They are all there at any one time. They may not always come into vision, but they are all present. It is not necessary to think of them as being so many separate colors. Just as these colors of the rainbow are present in light, so these traits of personal conduct are in the working of the Holy Spirit.” All the fruit is available whenever we need that particular type, whether it is patience with a boss or a child or kindness toward someone who is helpless to return the favor. God is glorified when we show others by the fruit we display that we are disciples of Jesus.

 

The fruit that Jesus’ disciples displayed is different from the fruit of those who only appear to be connected to the Vine. Although they may look legitimate, their actions prove they are not. John tells us that “those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us” John 3:24. Again John instructs us, “If anyone obeys His Word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5. Our obedience to Christ’s commands proves that we remain in Him. If we disobey Him and His Word, we will not bear His fruit, for we will have chosen to disconnect and not remain. This is a sobering thought. If we choose not to live a life in Christ that will bring glory to Him and to live a life of disobedience instead, we can anticipate God’s judgment. Jesus said that such a person is “like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” John 15.6.

Here are nine elements of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Please consider these questions:

 

1.     When you know what is best for others, do you communicate it with compassion and love? Truth is communicated to others in an attitude of love. Ephesians 4:15

2.     Do you love others with actions and truth? Truth is manifested in the way we act toward others. 1 John 3:18.

3.     Are you free from the habits of sinful actions, thoughts, and feelings? Truth sets people free from sin and bondage. John 8:32.

4.     Have you determined to obey the Holy Spirit every day and seek his guidance? The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth. John 16:13.

5.     Do you love (even crave) the truth? Truth is something that you must love. 2 Thessalonians. 2:10.

6.     Are you committed to being obedient when you understand what God wants you to do? Truth is something you must obey when you discover it. Galatians 5:7.

7.     Do you live out the truth? Truth is to be displayed (lived out) in our lives. 2 Corinthians. 4:2. When we live in the truth, it is obvious that we are different from the world. People see that there must be something more in our lives than self-discipline, hard work, or self-control. God helps us live the way we live. John 3:21.

 

You may feel that you cannot follow the Lord wholeheartedly. The fruit of God’s Spirit is something you may be able to display on rare occasions; however, as a lifestyle it is impossibility. You are right! You cannot consistently display the fruit of the Spirit unless you have totally surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. Because of your self-discipline, you may be able to perform random acts of love and kindness or have some sense of peace or patience; however, such acts will be inconsistent because they do not flow from the consistent flow of the Holy Spirit’s power within you. Moreover, when really put to the test, perhaps in a time of trial, you may not be able to muster these virtues in your own power. That is why you must be connected to the one who supplies all the necessary ingredients for you to manifest his fruit. “The Bible tells us we need the Spirit to bring fruit into our lives because we cannot produce godliness apart from the Spirit. In our own selves we are filled with all kinds of self-centered and self-seeking desires which are opposed to God’s will for our lives. In other words, two things need to happen in our lives. First, the sin in our lives needs to be thrust out. Second, the Holy Spirit needs to come in and fill our lives, producing the fruit of the Spirit.”

 

 

Here are my thoughts on the matter:

 

Those who bear Christ’s fruits are those who live in the world but, as followers of Christ and heirs to the kingdom, we display his values. Those who choose to disobey God’s ways are those who are of the world and have worldly cares, and care not for the things of God.

 

We depend on God and when we demonstrate the fruit of God’s Spirit we show others that we belong to Him and those that are of the world show independence and hostility towards God. So are you a fruit bearer or are you one who is baron? Do you display productive fruit or fruit that is rotting and full of stink?

 

The Gardner

 

Jesus said, "My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

A gardener puts seed into the ground and carefully cultivates it. As the plant begins to grow branches, the gardener prunes them so that the plant will produce more fruit. Pruning strengthens a plant by ridding it of unproductive branches, and nearly all fruit plants have to be pruned at least once annually in order to produce a good crop. A farmer knows that some branches will never produce fruit and therefore cuts them off completely.

Some Christians live in fear that God will cut them off because they continue to struggle with wrong attitudes or seem continually to be tempted to do things that they know are sinful. The key for them is not to quit the faith but to remain and know that God will help them overcome. Jesus said that the will of the Father is "that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day" John 6:39. Though you may feel that God has been pruning you and perhaps has cut you off, you need to know that his will is that none will be lost. Discipline can be difficult and painful, but when we have been trained by it we are grateful for the lessons we have learned.

Branches that do not bear any fruit are cut off. Jesus said that we will know his disciples by the fruit they yield. Matthew 7:15-23.

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Some people call themselves disciples but produce no fruit to indicate it. These people are illegitimate branches-they profess to be Christians but have words without actions, branches with leaves but no fruit. They are apostates who heard the gospel and believed it but decided not to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. In this way they become traitors to the Lord. As humans we sometimes may have difficulty determining exactly who is a true disciple, but God always knows those who belong to him and those who do not. Fruitless branches are on their way to destruction.

So here are my thoughts on the matter: ( mine not the authors)

We who represent the branches of the Vine, who is Christ, must remain true and stay away from any doctrines that are not fruitful. There are many people out there today that talk a good talk and seem to have the answers, but beware; they are not of the vine. They are not of the branches that belong to Christ. They may think they are, but they are not. Be wary of who you listen to, always ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to know if this person speaks Christ's truth. If his fruit is not there then flee from him. Remain true to the Vine and your branches will be full.

Text taken from book titled "The Fruit of the Spirit" page 14.

We are not destroyed when we are pruned, for our heavenly Father prunes us according to his tremendous wisdom and love. If he did not prune us, we would not grow. As we mature in Christ we should even look forward to our Father’s pruning and shaping, for he sees things in our lives that we do not see. He knows our hearts when we do not. He has complete understanding, knows the direction we are headed, and can from his motivation of love create roadblocks in our lives. He always knows what is best for us and never intends to bring harm; rather he will help us become more like his Son.

 

God typically prunes his children by conviction from the Holy Spirit; when we contemplate sinning he convicts us for our feelings, thinking, or behavior. Conviction makes us feel guilty and motivates us to stop what we are doing that is displeasing to God. All of us struggle with sin in our lives, and thus we also experience conviction. The Holy Spirit is our trusted friend who warns us to flee temptation and shows us what we need to do to avoid living an unholy life. What a wonderful blessing it is to know that God is watching out for us in case our motives are wrong or our plans are potentially harmful to us. We need to listen to his loving conviction.

 

Another way that God typically prunes his children is by discipline. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his Father? If you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. . . God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness” Hebrews 12:7, 8, 10.

 

In the 1900’s many owners of small farms in America began to reduce their wholesale farming into a mere sideline and started using their property as entertainment farming. Paying customers were attracted to these farms for the purpose of listening to country bands, running through cornfield mazes, petting corrals for the children, and it all boiled down to paying for admission, for food and entertainment.

 

Sometimes a Christian or a church is diverted from the central purpose of producing fruit and resembles an entertainment farmer instead. But fruitfulness is God’s will for every Christian and every church. When we are fruitless we can be assured that we have turned aside from our purpose and God will bring conviction and or discipline.

 

God cares about us and will discipline us so that we can be participants in his holiness, righteousness, and peace. Some of us may remember the saying; “I’ll need to take him to the woodshed.” This was the place where discipline was met out, where Mom or Dad carried out the difficult task of helping a child understand his or her behavior was unacceptable. On the wall of one woodshed hung a belt with the inscription above it, “I need thee every hour!” Likewise, if we are to become better persons, we need God’s loving discipline. Since God’s discipline our being pruned makes us holier and in turn produces more fruit, we should desire discipline.

Here also is an excerpt from "Reflections of God's Glory by Corrie Ten Boom.

Chapter 2, The Lord's Garden page 24, 26

I was in a jail cell all alone for four months. That was a time of plowing. I thought, "There'll be nothing left of me." I was desperate, but I suddenly saw God's side of things. I saw myself as a field that was being plowed and weeded.

A soul so prepared is ready to bring forth fruit to the glory of God. What are you? Are you a wilderness or a garden for the Lord? If you are a wilderness, come to Jesus; He will not reject you. He has changed many wildernesses into gardens full of flowers and fruit.

He can make you into a garden under heavenly cultivation, walled by grace, planted according to a divine pattern, tilled by love, weeded by heavenly discipline, and protected by divine omnipotence.

Hear the pray of Corrie Ten Boom:

"Thank you, Lord, that all 'wilderness' people can come to You, and that You don't reject them. You cultivate them to make them into a garden of the Lord, with much fruit and beautiful flowers, by Your Holy Spirit. And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And Lord, then You can use them wonderfully in this 'wilderness' world to feed and empower others. Listen, Lord, to each one who now prays, 'Lord Jesus, my life looks more like a wilderness than a garden. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that from now on I can receive power to be a faithful, cheerful witness who bears fruit. 'Thank You that in Your Word You say that whoever prays for the Holy Spirit can be sure of receiving Him. Hallelujah! Amen."

 

 The Vine and The Branches

 

The Vine:

 

Jesus said in John 15:1, "I am the true (alethinos) vine." He could have said, "I am a vine" or "I am the vine," but he wanted to emphatically communicate to his disciples that he is the only vine that is legitimate. The meaning of the original word alethinos is "true, real, and genuine." Jesus is truth; and he is the only vine that branches can be connected to in order to produce God's fruit. He is the creator; the sinless, omnipotent Son of God; and the only way to heaven. He speaks with authority as no one else can.

 

The connection between a vine and a branch is a living one. No work of a human can affect it; the branch is such only by the creator's own work, in virtue of which the life and the fruitfulness of the vine communicate themselves to the branch. And so it is with believers. The believer's union with the Lord Jesus is no work of human wisdom or human will, but an act of God by which the closed and the most complete-life-union is effected between the Son of God and the sinner: "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. Galatians 4:6. The same Spirit who dwelt, and still dwells in the Son becomes the life of the believer; in the unity of that one Spirit and the fellowship of the same life which is in Christ, the believer is one with him. Just as between a vine and a branch, the union between the Vine and the believer is a life-union that makes them one.

 

Without the Vine the branch can do nothing. To the Vine it owes its right of place in the vineyard, its life, and its fruitfulness.

 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are connected to the Vine. Through his roots, the nourishment of the Spirit flows into you and enables you to act like Christ and exhibit "the fruit of the Spirit." You are different from what you were before you gave your life to Christ. Before, you could not have modeled the kind of love, peace, self-control, or kindness that is the Spirit's fruit. But when you daily cling to and rely on the Vine, you will grow God's fruit, for this is a supernatural ability that only believers in Christ can enjoy. Loving people who are not Christians have shown tremendous acts of kindness. If, however, they had been connected to the Vine, think how much more they could have been and done.

 

The Branches

 

Jesus tells us, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If any man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

The word remain is used ten times in the first ten verses of John 15. As Christians we are branches, and to produce fruit we must “remain” in the Vine. William Barclay explains,

 

Suppose a person is weak. He has fallen into temptation; he has made a mess of things; he is on the way down to degeneracy of mind and heart and mental fiber. Now suppose that he has a friend of a strong and lovely and loving nature, who rescues him for his degrading situation. There is only one way in which he can retain his reformation and keep himself on the right way. He must keep in contact with his friend. If he loses that contact, all the chances are that his weakness will overcome him; the old temptations will rear their heads again; and he will fall. His salvation lies in continual contact with the strength of his friend.

 

Some of us know that we need to be in relationship with certain healthy people because they encourage us, counsel us, and give us strength. We know that as long as they are around we are safe. I have watched people who come from devastating pasts, including lives of abuse and addictions to drugs, alcohol, or gambling. When they determine to trust Christ and grow in the faith, they are safe. Some of them decide along the way to return to some of their old ways. They begin to miss church services, avoid some of their strong Christian friends, associate with their previous non-Christian friends, and rationalize that they are strong enough to do some of what they did when their lives were a mess. They subtly slip back into the black hole of devastation. They do not remain in the victory of the Lord and the enemy of their souls is ready to snatch them back.

 

We must hunger desperately for ways to cling to the Vine, our life source. Our lives must constantly demonstrate our desire to hold onto Jesus, to cling to him, and to become like him. We can be assured that if we remain in the Lord he will produce through us fruit that reminds people of him.

 

Jesus often used nature to illustrate spiritual truth, and the organic metaphor in this passage speaks of reproductive life. The vine, branches, and fruit constitute an integrated biological system in which fruit is derived from the nutrients of the soil. Just as the branch must receive its life from the vine, so believers must depend upon and look to the life of Christ within them to find their spiritual vitality. And just as the fruit nourishes others and contains within itself the seeds of its own reproduction, so the outward manifestation of the life of Christ in us nourishes and reproduces his life in others. If any part of the system malfunctions, the byproduct of the fruit will fail to appear.

 

The secret of Jesus’ fruitful life was his contact with the Father. Luke informs us that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” Luke 5:16. We too must keep in contact with –that is, remain in- Jesus by praying, reading our Bibles, and obeying what we read. Our remaining in Christ is the key to our survival. Therefore, every day we must deliberately make an effort to find ways to communicate with him, depend on him, and obey what he tells us to do. We sincerely want God’s direction and advice and the true wisdom that can come only from him.

 

God also provides our spiritual nourishment. At times our daily devotional life makes us feel incredibly close to God, but much of the time it is something like eating a meal. We “feel” little if anything spiritual other than that we are seeking a closer relationship with Christ. However, when we have communicated with the “Truth” and have been in his presence, the desire to touch anything evil is diminished. We must stay connected to the Vine if we want to be healthy Bran

 

 

The Fruit 

 

Jesus tells us that it is for the “Fathers glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” John 15:8. Here is a comment on the difference between “fruits” and “fruit.” The Bible talks of the fruit of the Spirit rather than the fruits. A tree may bear many apples, but all come from the same tree. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is the source of all fruit in our lives.” As our life is enriched by Christ we demonstrate many Christ-like attributes and bring glory to God. In Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians, he said that those who follow the Lord “bring with them most excellent fruits and maximum usefulness, for they that have them give glory to God and with the same do allure and provoke others to embrace the doctrine and faith of Christ.”

 

When people experience our fruit by seeing us act in ways that are different from the ways the world would act, they want to know more about the God who enabled us to be this way. In his book The Fruit of the Spirit, Manford George Gutzke compares the fruit of the Spirit to beams of light: “All the colors of the rainbow are in every beam of sunlight. They are all there at any one time. They may not always come into vision, but they are all present. It is not necessary to think of them as being so many separate colors. Just as these colors of the rainbow are present in light, so these traits of personal conduct are in the working of the Holy Spirit.” All the fruit is available whenever we need that particular type, whether it is patience with a boss or a child or kindness toward someone who is helpless to return the favor. God is glorified when we show others by the fruit we display that we are disciples of Jesus.

 

The fruit that Jesus’ disciples displayed is different from the fruit of those who only appear to be connected to the Vine. Although they may look legitimate, their actions prove they are not. John tells us that “those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us” John 3:24. Again John instructs us, “If anyone obeys His Word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5. Our obedience to Christ’s commands proves that we remain in Him. If we disobey Him and His Word, we will not bear His fruit, for we will have chosen to disconnect and not remain. This is a sobering thought. If we choose not to live a life in Christ that will bring glory to Him and to live a life of disobedience instead, we can anticipate God’s judgment. Jesus said that such a person is “like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” John 15.6.

Here are nine elements of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Please consider these questions:

 

1. When you know what is best for others, do you communicate it with compassion and love? Truth is communicated to others in an attitude of love. Ephesians 4:15
2. Do you love others with actions and truth? Truth is manifested in the way we act toward others. 1 John 3:18.
3. Are you free from the habits of sinful actions, thoughts, and feelings? Truth sets people free from sin and bondage. John 8:32.
4. Have you determined to obey the Holy Spirit every day and seek his guidance? The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth. John 16:13.
5. Do you love (even crave) the truth? Truth is something that you must love. 2 Thessalonians. 2:10.
6. Are you committed to being obedient when you understand what God wants you to do? Truth is something you must obey when you discover it. Galatians 5:7.
7. Do you live out the truth? Truth is to be displayed (lived out) in our lives. 2 Corinthians. 4:2. When we live in the truth, it is obvious that we are different from the world. People see that there must be something more in our lives than self-discipline, hard work, or self-control. God helps us live the way we live. John 3:21.

 

You may feel that you cannot follow the Lord wholeheartedly. The fruit of God’s Spirit is something you may be able to display on rare occasions; however, as a lifestyle it is impossibility. You are right! You cannot consistently display the fruit of the Spirit unless you have totally surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. Because of your self-discipline, you may be able to perform random acts of love and kindness or have some sense of peace or patience; however, such acts will be inconsistent because they do not flow from the consistent flow of the Holy Spirit’s power within you. And when really put to the test, perhaps in a time of trial, you may not be able to muster these virtues in your own power. That is why you must be connected to the one who supplies all the necessary ingredients for you to manifest his fruit. “The Bible tells us we need the Spirit to bring fruit into our lives because we cannot produce godliness apart from the Spirit. In our own selves we are filled with all kinds of self-centered and self-seeking desires which are opposed to God’s will for our lives. In other words, two things need to happen in our lives. First, the sin in our lives needs to be thrust out. Second, the Holy Spirit needs to come in and fill our lives, producing the fruit of the Spirit.”

 

 

Here are my thoughts on the matter: (mine not the authors)

 

Those who bear Christ’s fruits are those who live in the world but, as followers of Christ and heirs to the kingdom, we display his values. Those who choose to disobey God’s ways are those who are of the world and have worldly cares, and care not for the things of God.

 

We depend on God and when we demonstrate the fruit of God’s Spirit we show others that we belong to Him and those that are of the world show independence and hostility towards God. So are you a fruit bearer or are you one who is baron? Do you display productive fruit or fruit that is rotting and full of stink?