Fruit of the Spirit

What is the fruit of the Spirit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.  

What are the works of the flesh?

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fit’s of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Verses 19-21.

Note – the evils here mentioned are a close parallel to the lists found in Matthew 15:18, 19; Mark 7: 20-23; Romans 1: 29-31; and 2 Timothy 3: 1-5.

How may the works of the flesh be avoided?  

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Galatians 5:16.

The Fruit of Love

By what is the love of God shed abroad in the heart?  

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5.

What is love declared to be?

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:14. 

By what does genuine faith work?

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6. 

What does love do?

“Hatred stirs up dissention, but love covers all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12.  “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8.

In what way does love manifest itself?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs.”

1 Corinthians 13:4,5. 

The Kingdom of God

Of what does the kingdom of God consist?

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17.  

Note – It is the Christian’s privilege to have righteousness, peace and joy-a righteousness which is of God by faith (Romans 3:21,22); a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), which the world can neither give nor take away; and a joy that rejoices evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 4:4).

Gentleness, Goodness, Faith

What does God’s gentleness do for us?

“You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” Psalm 18:35. 

What spirit should we show toward others?

“But the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:24.

What does the goodness of God do?

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance.” Romans 2:4.

How should we treat those who have wronged us?

“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12: 19, 20. 

How does faith determine our standing with God?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who have earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6.  

Gentleness and Self-Control

How does God regard the gentle and quiet spirit?

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

1 Peter 3:3,4.

In our Christian growth and experience, what is to accompany faith, courage, and knowledge?

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness.” 2 Peter 1: 5, 6.  

Note – One of the best definitions of self-control is control, strength, power, or ascendancy over exciting and evil passions of all kinds. It denotes the self-rule which the over comer or converted man has over the evil propensities of his nature. Commenting on this passage, Dr. Albert Barnes says: “The influence of the Holy Spirit on the heart makes a man moderate in all indulgences; teaches him to restrain his passions, and to govern himself.”

How is he commended who controls his spirit?

“Better a patient man than a warrior; a man who controls his temper than one who takes the city.” Proverbs 16:32.

From Condemnation to Peace

What is said of all these different virtues?

“Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:23.

Note – The law condemns sin. But all these things being virtues are in harmony with the law. The Spirit produces them; and the law, which is spiritual, therefore cannot condemn them.

To what unity are Christians exhorted?

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:3. 

Spirit of life, and light, and love,

Thy heavenly influence give;

Quicken our souls, our guilt remove,

That we in Christ may live.

His love within us shed abroad,

Life’s ever-springing well;

Till God in us, and we in God,

In love eternal dwell.

                             - Thomas Haweis.

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