<< Previous | Index | Next >>"PASSAGES TO PONDER" Fruit Of The Spirit INTRODUCTION 1. As we continue this series, let's review what we have covered so far... a. "Beatitudes Of The Kingdom" - Mt 5:3-12 b. "Defilements Of The Heart" - Mk 7:21-23 c. "Qualities Of Love" - 1Co 13:1-13 d. "Works Of The Flesh" - Ga 5:19-21 2. Briefly summarizing each passage, we have considered... a. The character and blessedness of those who would be citizens of the kingdom of heaven b. The source of evil and sin that defiles mankind c. The kind of love that is possible in the lives of those who follow Jesus Christ d. The works of the flesh that can prevent one from entering the kingdom of God [After describing the works of the flesh in Ga 5:19-21, the apostle Paul then described the "Fruit Of The Spirit" which we will now examine as a passage to ponder. Following the format of previous studies, we begin with...] I. THE CONTEXT A. THE FLESH LUSTS AGAINST THE SPIRIT... 1. They are in opposition against each other - Ga 5:16-17 2. If we follow the lusts of the flesh, we can not do the will of the Spirit - Ga 5:17b -- The flesh pulls in one direction, but the Spirit would have us go in another! B. CHRISTIANS MUST SERVE THE SPIRIT... 1. If led by the Spirit, we are not under the law (its condemnation) - Ga 5:18,23b 2. As Christians, we have crucified the flesh (in baptism) - Ga 5:24; cf. Ro 6:3-6,11-12 3. Since we were made alive by the Spirit (again, in baptism), it is only fitting that we walk in the Spirit - Ga 5:25; cf. Ti 3:5 -- We must walk in the Spirit, thereby producing the fruit of the Spirit [When a person walks in the Spirit, they will show evidence of such by the fruit that is born. What that fruit is we will now examine...] II. THE MEANING A. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT INCLUDES... 1. Love - active good will, best exemplified by God and Jesus - 1Th 4:9; 1Jn 3:16; 4:10 2. Joy - gladness, delight, especially in response to God's grace - Php 4:4; Jn 15:11 3. Peace - harmony, concord with God, man, and self, made possible by the Prince of Peace - Ro 5:1; Ep 2:14-17; Php 4:6-7 -- Virtues that find their source in God (Bible Knowledge Commentary) B. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT INCORPORATES... 4. Longsuffering - patience, self-restraint in the face of provocation - e.g., Lk 23:34; Ac 7:60 5. Kindness - sweetness of temper that places others at ease, born of mercy - Ep 4:31-32 6. Goodness - benevolence, kindness in action - Ga 6:10; e.g., Ac 9:36,39 -- Virtues that reach out to others (Bible Knowledge Commentary) C. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT INTEGRATES... 7. Faithfulness - the virtue of reliability; dependable, trustworthy - cf. Lk 16:10-12 8. Gentleness - kind treatment of others, born of humility - cf. Ga 6:1; 2Ti 2:24-25 9. Self-control - ability to hold oneself in; mastering desires and passions, assisted by the Spirit Himself - cf. Ro 8:11-14 -- Virtues that guide our general conduct (Bible Knowledge Commentary) [A more detailed treatment of these virtues can be found in my study, The Flesh And The Spirit. But with this review of the "Fruit Of The Spirit" on our mind, let's make...] III. THE APPLICATION A. NOTE THAT "FRUIT" IS SINGULAR... 1. It is the "fruit of the Spirit", not the "fruits of the Spirit" 2. "...indicating that these qualities constitute a unity, all of which should be found in a believer who lives under the control of the Spirit." - Bible Knowledge Commentary 3. "The Holy Spirit produces one kind of fruit, that is, Christlikeness. All the virtues now listed describe the life of the child of God." - Believer's Bible Commentary -- One who truly walks in the Spirit will produce all nine virtues, not a partial set B. NOTE THAT "FRUIT" IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT... 1. It comes by walking in the Spirit - Ga 5:16 2. It comes by being led by the Spirit - Ga 5:18 3. It comes from those who live in the Spirit - Ga 5:25 -- Without the aid of the Spirit, we cannot bear this fruit! C. NOTE HOW ONE RECEIVES THE AID OF THE SPIRIT... 1. First, one must be born again of water and the Spirit - Jn 3:5 a. I.e., baptism, for thereby one receives the gift of the Spirit - Ac 2:38-39 b. I.e., baptism, for therein one experiences a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Tit 3:5 2. Then one must walk in the Spirit a. By setting our minds on the things of the Spirit 1) That is what ensures our living according to the Spirit - Ro 8:5 2) The things of the Spirit would be that which the Spirit has revealed 3) I.e., the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit - cf. Ep 6:17 b. By praying for the strength of the Spirit 1) Whose strength enables us to put to death the deeds of the body - Ro 8:12-13 2) Whose strength can be accessed through prayer - cf. Ep 3:16,20-21 -- We are aided by the Spirit to the degree we follow the Word and persist in prayer! CONCLUSION 1. Which would you rather have...? a. A life infused with love, joy, and peace, by the Spirit of Almighty God? b. A life inflicted by hatred, jealousies, and outbursts of wrath, due to fleshly lusts? 2. Which would you rather have...? a. A life developing longsuffering, kindness, and goodness, with the help of the Holy Spirit? b. A life devastated by contentions, envy, and selfish ambitions, due to fleshly lusts? 3. Which would you rather have...? a. A life exuding faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, with the aid of the Spirit? b. A life exhausted by jealousies, contentions, and immorality, due to fleshly lusts? Jesus gives us a choice. Through His blood He can cleanse us of sin, and through the Spirit He can empower us to live holy and righteous lives. Are we willing to accept His gracious choice...? "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." - Ga 5:16<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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