The Fruits of the Spirit – 10/4/20
The two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself. If you are doing this you WILL NOT sin. Love fulfills the whole law. You will not sin against God if you are loving him, and you will not sin against your neighbor if you are loving them. If you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The Spirit of God hates evil, so if Christ lives in you, you will hate evil too. If Christ abides in you, you will depart from evil. If you have the Spirit, walk in the Spirit! Be not only hearers of the word but doers also!
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” -Galatians 5:24-25 l
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” -Galatians 5:16-18
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” -James 1:22
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” -Galatians 2:20
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” -Romans 8:9
How do we know if someone has the Spirit of God? What are the fruits of the Spirit?
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” -Matthew 7:15-20
These are the fruits of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23
These are the works of the flesh:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” -Galatians 5:19-21
So what does it look like to really walk in the Spirit? I will describe what I believe it looks like. They all seem to tie in to each other in a neat way.
What is love? – 10/3/20
True love is to put others above yourself. Love does not seek its own and does not envy. Love seeks the highest well being of another. It is about giving, not getting. If your love vanishes when it no longer receives anything in return, then it is not really love; it is shallow and not genuine. Christ’s love is not like that. His love is unfailing. His love never ceases. He loved the Romans even when they tortured him and then crucified him. If your love fails, then it wasn’t really love because love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Jesus showed us the ultimate example of what true love is. Love does not take another’s life in order to save itself. Love does not seek its own. Love is sacrifice. Love suffers long! It puts the needs of others above its own needs. Love also warns. When you pull someone out of the fire or try to lead them off the path to destruction, that is actually a very loving thing to do. It is not hate, as the world would label it. Judgement is actually a good thing, as long as it’s without hypocrisy. Warn them of their destructive ways, that they may be save.
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” -1 John 3:16
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” -1 John 3:18
Love’s not just a feeling, it’s something that you do.
What is faith? – 10/3/20
Faith is trusting God in the dark even when we can’t see. It is letting him guide us through the great unknown. Faith is knowing that he is with us and will lead us; knowing that he is the author and finisher. Faith is hoping for something that we do not yet see. True faith produces works. If you truly believe that Jesus is your creator and that his words are true, then you will obey his words and follow him. Our faith is proven by our actions. We cannot say we believe but not do the things he says. If we know and love him, we will keep his commandments. Faith without works is dead. Believe and do! When God told Noah that he would flood the earth and commanded him to build an ark, Noah didn’t just say he believed God and go about his life, he actually obeyed God because he truly believed that God would do what he said he would do – judge the world. Just as Noah’s faith caused him to go into the ark, our faith will cause us to go into Christ and continue abiding in him, because we truly believe he is our Creator and will judge this world.
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” -James 2:17
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” -John 14:15
“14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [f]your works, and I will show you my faith by [g]my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [h]dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [i]perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [j]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” -James 2:14-26
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” -Hebrews 11:1
What is joy? – 10/3/20
Joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is to rejoice even in trials and hardships! Joy is untroubled and a choice we can make.
The joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)
Joy is an attitude of the heart and spirit. Happiness is different than joy in that it is based on circumstances and is a feeling that you can’t help. Joy is something you choose to have no matter what happens. You can rejoice through trials and tribulations with such joy that is only found in Christ. We are fulfilled in Christ alone. In him alone is our joy and hope found. You can walk through the fire saying “Praise the Lord!” It’s a joy unspeakable. You can’t describe it. It doesn’t make sense to the world. The can’t understand it unless they experience it. You can’t experience it without Christ.
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” -1 Peter 1:8
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” -Psalm 16:11
What is peace? – 10/3/20
Peace is a feeling of completeness or wholeness. It a feeling of being at rest and free from disturbance. When you have peace, you have a feeling of comfort and trust. Being at peace also means having faith and trusting that everything is going to work out according to God’s will, because he is in control. When you keep your mind fixed on the Lord and continue to abide and draw near to him, he gives you a peace that is not found anywhere else. A peace that the world cannot offer you. We can be filled with peace, knowing that he is near, when we draw near to him. He is our resting place; our refuge. He is our home. He is the source of our peace. Jesus gives us peace through storms and floods. He carries us through trials and hardships. No matter how deep the rivers or how fierce the flames, we can have peace knowing he is near. He does not promise us smooth travels, but he does promise that he will be with us through them. That feeling of his presence is what gives us peace.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” -John 14:27
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” -James 4:8
What is long-suffering? 10/6/20
Long-suffering literally means to ‘suffer long”. It is another word for patience. We must learn to wait patiently for the Lord, whether it be something that we want or something that we are enduring. The Lord will strengthen us. He will help us to have more patience. Love suffers long. When we are long suffering, it is a form of being loving. We must be patient with people who may annoy us, someone who may not understand yet what we have been revealed, or be willing to wait on the Lord to answer our requests. When we face trials and persecution, we must also patiently endure, trusting that God has a plan and is in control. Long-suffering is an act of love, enduring the troubles we are faced with.
“Someone who has a hard time patiently waiting for something he wants will have an even harder time patiently enduring that which he doesn’t want.” -Braden York
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” -Psalm 27:14
“In your patience possess ye your souls.” -Luke 21:19
“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” -Ecclesiastes 7:8
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;” -1 Corinthians 13:4
“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” -Romans 12:12
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;” -Colossians 3:12
What is gentleness? – 10/8/20
Gentleness is being soft in your answers and being kind to those around you. No matter how rude someone may be, we must always respond in a kind and gentle way. Even if somebody hates you, love them back! Respond in kindness!
“A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.” -Proverbs 15:18
“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” -Proverbs 15:1
What is goodness? – 10/8/20
God wants his children to do good. It brings him much joy when we abide in him and do his will! Abiding in truth is abiding in Jesus, because Jesus is THE TRUTH, and abiding in Jesus is to obey his words. He calls us to do good. He calls us to be like him, and he is good. Goodness; the opposite of evil. Turn away from evil and do good. All goodness comes from God.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” -3 John 1:4
“Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” -1 Peter 3:11
“Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.” -Psalm 37:27
“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:16
What is meekness? – 10/8/20
The definition in the Strong’s concordance for meekness is “displaying the right blend of force and reserve” and “avoids unnecessary harshness, yet without compromising or being too slow to use necessary force.” Being meek in our dialogue is a combination of being gentle and kind, but yet still bold. You learn to display “the right blend of force and reserve.” Being gentle, though, doesn’t mean compromising or losing boldness. It simply means we have the right combination of the two, and have an attitude of humility and submission. Other translations use the term kindness.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” -Matthew 5:5
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” -James 3:13
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” -1 Peter 3:4
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” -1 Peter 3:15
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” -Colossians 3:12
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” -Galatians 6:1
What is temperance? – 10/8/20
Temperance is self-control; being able to restrain yourself and have control over what you say or do. You must be able to have rule over your spirit and discipline your body. We must remain sober at all times, because I man who is not sober cannot control everything he does or thinks. Be vigilant and ready for anything that may come your way.
“Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.” -Proverbs 25:28
“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” -1 Corinthians 9:25
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” -1 Corinthians 9:27
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” -1 Peter 5:8
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” -Romans 13:14
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” -Galatians 5:16
Summary:
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” -Galatians 5:25
Walk in love – a love unstoppable and unfailing! May the never ending, perfect love of Christ dwell in us richly. Learn to sacrifice! Warn others who are in sin. Love without ceasing!
Walk in faith – a faith unsinkable and unshakable! Nothing can stop our God. Christ can form in us a faith unmovable – a faith that is followed by righteous works. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus – just to take him at his word!!
Walk in the joy of the Lord! Choose to have joy in the midst of the floods. Choose to endure through trials with untouchable joy.
Walk in peace! Show the world that you live undisturbed by the storms. Draw near to him, and he will draw near to you. His presence gives us peace.
Walk in long-suffering/patience by choosing to love people no matter what you endure. Learn to wait on the Lord and trust that his timing is perfect.
Walk in gentleness by responding with a kind answer and letting Christ live through you!
Walk in goodness! Follow Jesus’s commands and do what is right. Continue abiding in THE TRUTH!
Walk in meekness – May we have the right blend of force and reserve; responding gently and in humility, but not with compromising boldness.
Walk in temperance/self-control! Discipline yourself that you may have rule over your body and spirit. Do not give in to temptations. Be sober and ready for anything that may come your way.
Walk in obedience and abide in Jesus!
Notes of Charity 