THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Part 1)
This
is the first of two lessons on “the fruit of the Spirit.” Fruit is defined as:
“The result, product [outgrowth], or consequences of any action; as, prosperity
is the fruit of planning.” This “fruit” immediately follows the fleshly “works”
of the sinful, or carnal, nature. The two are in sharp contrast. Holy
Ghost-inspiration apparently chose the word “fruit” as a more suitable term with
reference to the manifestation of Himself, rather than “works” as
manifestations of the flesh. “Fruit” is singular, indicating a unity of all the
elements, or graces, designated. Some have referred to the Spirit’s fruits as
“graces.” In this fruit we are able to discern what kind of persons God intends
for us to be.
“For
the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving
what is acceptable unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:9, 10).
Matthew 7:17-20
17 Even so every good tree bringeth
forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil
fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth
good fruit is hewn down,, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall
know them.
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also
walk in the Spirit.
Jesus
used the “tree” as a metaphor for a person. like the contrast of the “good
tree” and the “corrupt tree,” even so the saint and the sinner are recognized
for whichever they are by the product of their lives. Just as it is IMPOSSIBLE
for a corrupt tree to bear good fruit, or for a good tree to bear evil fruit,
likewise a true child of God CANNOT bear evil fruit. Regardless of any
individual’s verbal profession, the life he lives is the undeniable proof.
LOVE:
In the Biblical context, love is, first of all, God’s gracious concern and care
for mankind; then it becomes man’s worshipful response to God; and lastly, it
is that God-given spirit of affectionate goodwill which the children of God
feel toward one another. It is more readily seen and felt than defined.
As
a part of the fruit of the Spirit, Paul says it well: “...the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). The
indwelling Spirit simply bears the “fruit” in every heart that is submissive
to Him. It may be said that the Spirit is God’s “Love-Agent” among men. With
the love of God in our heart, it follows that we will respond by loving Him,
loving fellow-Christians, and loving even the apple tree that bears its
apples. The evidence is as Jesus has said: “By this shall all men know that ye
are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Note— “one TO
another” not merely FOR another.
JOY:
(Webster) “A very glad feeling, such as of great pleasure or delight.” Some
synonyms are: happiness, cheerfulness, and lightheartedness. Adam Clarke
defines joy as: “The exultation that arises from a sense of God’s mercy
communicated to the soul in the pardon of its iniquities, and the prospect of
the eternal glory of which it is a foretaste in the pardon of sin” (Rom. 5:2).
Biblical joy is not the carefree mirth and gaiety of the world. The gospel
itself is “good news of GREAT JOY...to ALL PEOPLE” (Luke 2:10).
As
a fruit of the Spirit, joy transcends that of the non-Christian. From the
indwelt heart, the Holy Ghost simply emanates the joy of the Lord. It is a pure
delight in doing the Father’s will. This holy attribute was found in Christ
even before the foundation of the world, when He said, with reference to His
becoming the Sacrifice for men’s sins, “I delight to do thy will, O my God...”
(Psa. 40:8). This kind of joy is not quenched by trouble and sorrow (See Heb.
12:2; Psa. 126:2, 5; I Peter 1:6-9; 4:12, 13).
PEACE:
True peace comes with God’s justifying grace—”Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Adam Clarke
defines peace as: “The calm, quiet” and order which takes place in the
justified soul. The first sensible fruit of the pardon of sin.” “Peace with
God” is reconciliation. (Read II Cor. 5:1 7-19; Col. 1:20-22; and Rom. 5:10,
11.) Being at peace with God we have the “peace of God” in our hearts. Paul
says it beautifully in Colossians 3:13-1 5, where forbearance, forgiveness,
and charity are set forth as components of the peace of God ruling in the
heart.
As
a fruit of the Spirit, peace is simply “a part of the package.” It comes with
the Spirit, who will lead us in the paths of peace. While others are tense
under pressure, and always seeking vengeance, the true believer, at peace
with God and possessing the peace of God, endeavors to live by Paul’s advice-
-“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men..
.avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:18, 19). Again,
“Follow PEACE with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the
Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Peace and holiness belong together.
LONGSUFFERING:
This is “long and patient endurance of injuries, insults, troubles, etc.” Love
and suffering are of the same “fruit.” Charity [love] suffereth long, and is
kind” (1 Cor. 1 3:4). Biblical longsuffering is accompanied by “patient endurance.”
God is longsuffering, and He clearly demonstrates it in His enduring mercy and
grace toward an unconcerned, procrastinating, unbelieving world. (See II
Peter 3:2-10.)
Our
deceptive enemy, the devil, persistently tempts us to yield to weariness in
dealing with prolonged problems and irritating individuals. We can quickly
destroy our Christian testimony by showing irritable impatience toward others
who may be in a life-and-death struggle with trouble, sorrow, or pain. When we
stop to consider the Lord’s longsuffering with us, we will be more ready to
suffer long with others.
GENTLENESS:
This is a close associate of longsuffering. Gentleness is defined as: “The
attribute of a kindly, mild, serene or patient disposition; sweet-tempered,
especially toward those who are ill-deserving.” Showing courtesy, kindness, and
sympathetic understanding, even under provocative circumstances, makes it
difficult for an offender to persist in his provocation.
Gentleness
can be an excellent peacemaker. As a fruit of the Spirit, possibly the
individual is never more under the influence of the Holy Ghost than when he
yields to “the gentle touch.” Gentleness produces soul-rest. Along with
meekness and lowliness of heart, it gives that rest. (Matthew 11:28-30.)
As
stated earlier, “the fruit of the Spirit” is presented in contrast with “the
works of the flesh.” (See Galatians 5:22-25). The phrase, “of the Spirit,”
indicates that the fruit belongs to the Spirit in much the same way that “the
gifts of the Spirit” are His, not ours. (See I Cor. 12.) Verse 25 above says
that we live in the Spirit, or derive our spiritual life from His indwelling
presence. the spiritual life in the inner man is the motivation force that
responds to the Holy Ghost in the production of His fruit.
It
is important that we live and walk in the Spirit; that we allow Him to produce
His fruit in our lives. Paul tells us in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself
beareth witness with our spirit [the inner man], that we are the children of
God.” If the fruit is there, this fact bears witness to us that we are saved, if
the fruit is not there, we have no such witness. It is altogether possible
that, through erroneous teachings, and through men’s own indulgent
presumptions, many are not truly saved who claim to be saved. We hear it said
that, although we are not to be judges of other men’s salvation, we can be
“fruit inspectors.” Be that as it may, if we would be sure of our own
salvation, it is only reasonable that we begin our Inspections” with our own
fruit.”
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And Tell Someone What Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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Sweet tempered ESPECiALLY toward those who are ill-deserving. I finally came to understand that this really does end in soul rest. If only we could understand that early in life. Checking our own fruit often is a really good idea!
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