Fruit Of The Spirit
The fruit of the Holy
Spirit
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Our In-depth Study of Galatians 5:22-23 completed with
All my friends at Thembalami Home
Researched and compiled by John.M.Nel Dec. 2014
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To all my dear friends at Thembalami,
Thank you for attending the sermons,our discussions and worship this year.
You have become an integral part of my life; the Lord has blessed me for bringing us together, to study His Word.
May each and every one of you use this booklet to enrich your life, may it help you to become the person that God wants you to be and may you continue to study the "Word" and grow spiritually
2 Timothy 3:16(NLT)16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Always remember:Happy Moments, Praise GodDifficult Moments, Seek GodQuiet Moments, Worship GodPainful Moments, Trust GodEvery Moment, Thank GodYour friend in Jesus – John
The fruit of the Holy SpiritLet me first explain the printing format and colour text used in this study to identify and distinguish Scripture references from text .All bible references are printed brown and Scripture verses are printed in slanted blue.The Bible translation that I have used is the New Living Translationunless stated otherwise.
I printed all verses from Scripture for easy reference and convenience .
Let's start of by looking at the words of Jesus inJohn 15:16when He told His followers to go and bear fruit,
"I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last".
“What did Jesus mean when he said "go and bear fruit"?In the natural world, fruit is the result of a healthy plant producing the fruit what it was designed to produce (Genesis 1:11-12).
In the Bible, the word fruit is often used to describe a person's outward actions that result from the condition of the heart.Good fruit is that which is produced by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22gives us a starting place: the fruit of the spiritis love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The more we allow the Holy Spirit free rein in our lives, the more this fruit is evident Galatians 5:16,25
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves…….. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Righteous fruit has eternal benefit.Jesus told us clearly what we must do to bear good fruit. He said,
John 15:4-5
"4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
A branch must stay firmly attached to the trunk to stay alive.
As Disciples of Christ, we must stay firmly connected to Him to remain spiritually productive.
A branch draws strength, nourishment, protection, and energy from the vine.
If it is broken off, it quickly dies and becomes unfruitful.
When we neglect our spiritual life, it could be that we ignore the Word of God, or skimp on prayer, or withhold areas of our lives from the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit , then we are like a branch broken off from the vine.
Our lives become fruitless. We need daily surrender, daily communication, and daily-sometimes hourly-repentance and connection with the Holy Spirit in order to "walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Staying intimately connected to the True Vineis the only way to bear fruit even in old agePsalm 92:14
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.
to "run and not grow weary" Isaiah 40:31
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.and mostly not "grow weary in well-doing"Galatians 6:99 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.One counterfeit to bearing good fruit is pretense.
We can become experts at the routines, the lingo or buzz words and clich├®s that tend to make us sound very "Christian like" while in our Christian life we are experiencing no real power and bearing no eternal fruit that will last.
Our hearts remain self-centered, angry, and joyless even while we go through the motions of serving God. We can easily slip into the role of the Pharisees in judging ourselves by how we think we appear to others and neglecting that secret place of the heart where all good fruit germinates.
When we love, desire, pursue, and fear the same things that the rest of the world does, we are not abiding in Christ, even though our lives may be filled with church-related activities.
"Often we find ourselves so busy with all the things of the Lord instead of being busy with the Lord of all things"
And, often, we don't realize that we are living fruitless lives
1 John 2:15-1715 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.Our works will be tested by fire. Using a different metaphor than fruit,
1 Corinthians 3:11-14says:
"11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have-Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials-gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.."God is the judge of our thoughts and even our motivations.
All will be brought to the light when we stand before Him
Hebrews 4:12-13
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
A poor widow in a one-room apartment can bear as much fruit as a televangelist leading giant crusades, if she would just surrender herself to God in everything she does and by using all He has given her for His glory.
As fruit is unique to each tree, our fruit is unique to us.
God knows what He has entrusted to each of us and what He expects us to do with it Luke 12:48
48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Our responsibility before God is to be "faithful with little" so that He can trust us with much
Matthew 25:21
21 "The master was full of praise. ÔÇÿWell done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'
As you will see from Scripture in this study – there is one very special verse that will tell you that God the Father wants to transmit and impart 9 specific fruits of the Holy Spirit into our personality. (In actual fact itis one fruit consisting of 9 sections like a bunch of grapes or an orange)
God wants all of us to enter into a true sanctification process with Him so that He can begin the process of moulding, shaping, and transforming us into the express image of His Son Jesus Christ. He wants to make us into a better and more holy people. He wants to transform us by the renewing of our minds. He wants to start with thereby plantingin His way of thinking into our way of thinking by changing our thought process.
In our lesson on "Sanctification," I gave you the specific verses from Scripture that showed you that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that this sanctification takes place in your life. However, you will not be a passive robot in all of this. You have to be willing to work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit once He begins to start this sanctification process within you.
Your task will be to get into the Word to find out exactly what it is God wants to chance about you. You will need to find out exactly what godly qualities God will want you to try and "put on" into your personality, and what qualities He will want you to try and "put away."
This study will be the first of a series giving you all of the appropriate Scripture verses showing you exactly which qualities and attributes God will want to get worked into your personality, and which qualities He will want to pull out of you. And there is no better place to start this study than with the 9 fruits or qualities of the Holy Spirit.
Let's start off by keying on some of the more positive, godly qualities that God would really like to get working into your personality – for that reason we will look at each fruit individually, study and meditate on these 9 specific qualities.
God the Father purposely isolates and spells out 9 specific qualities that will be coming direct from His Holy Spirit – He is letting you know the extreme importance of these 9 fruits.
They are major fruits and qualities that come from God Himself.
As Christianwe should allow the Holy Spirit to work in us these 9 qualities (fruits) to shape our personality.
I will first start off by highlighting each of these 9 specific fruits so that you can have all 9 of them isolated right at the top of this study, then give you the Scripture verse explaining these fruits, and then do a detailed commentary on each one of these fruits so you can fully understand what each one of these fruits are all about, how they can dramatically change the quality of your life and provide a state of well-being if you are willing to allow the Holy Spirit to work .
The 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit aslisted in(Galatians 5:22-23)
You must first of all learn these 9 fruits of by heart, it must become second nature to you, so much so that if you slam your finger in a door , don't count till ten, ramble off the 9 fruits of the spirit – love, joy, pea.. etc.The reason being that if you intend standing out in a crowd as a Christian it will be expected of you to bare these fruits in all kinds of circumstances. (So learn them like the 2×2 timetable)
Before I get into the appropriate commentary on each of these nine fruits, note the following:
Jesus already told us that He is the vine and we are the branches(John 15:5)
The branches draw their life from the vine, not vice versa. Just as the branch draws its life from the vine, so too must we draw our life directly from Jesus. Jesus will release His divine life directly into us through the Holy Spirit in the exact same way that the vine will release the life of the tree into the branches.
In one short, but incredible powerful Scripture verse, God the Father is giving all of us an even more incredible revelation on what can go on behind the scenes in the spiritual realm for those who are willing to work with Him in this sanctification process.
Forgive me if I go on and on about this but you have to realize that this process is beyond your control, all you have to do is desire this change and allow the spirit to work. I do have one problem and I ask you to forgive me, I tend to over emphasise, over do, drag out, over explain, insist on information overload and repeat myself over and over.(You see here I am doing it again) , but I am so afraid of leaving even the smallest detail out that may explain it better so that you can grasp it even better.
My dear Mom (She passed away 10 years ago) used to say to me many times, "Son please come to the point, you are so damn long winded, it drives me crazy sometimes"
You should memorize the 9 fruits, know them off-by-heart, for the next time you stub your toe or knock your finger with a hammer, instead of counting to ten express your agony by reciting the nine fruits.“What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?“Galatians 5:22-23:"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
This is one of the most beloved passages in the BibleBut the "Fruit of the Holy Spirit"has also been misinterpreted by many as characteristics that believers should somehow manufacture in their lives.
The key to understanding these qualities we find in the name – "Fruit"
Fruit is the natural result of growth. And “of the Spirit” explains exactly who causes that growth-it's not a result of our striving or straining, but the power of the Holy Spirit.No amount of human toil or determination can produce spiritual fruit. I's the Spirit's influence in a yielded heart that can work miracles.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit's presence in the life of a Christian.
The Bible makes it clear that everyone will receive the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ
Romans 8:99 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)1 Corinthians 12:1313 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13-14
13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian’s life is to change that life.
One of the tasks of the Holy Spirit is to conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him.The fruit of the Holy Spirit is in direct contrast with the acts of our sinful nature Galatians 5:19-21
"19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."
Here Paul more or less describes all people to varying degrees, that do not have the Spirit and do not know Christ and are therefore not under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Our sinful flesh produces certain types of fruit that reflect our natureThe Holy Spirit produces types of fruit that reflect His nature.The Christian life is a struggle between the sinful flesh and the new nature given by Christ
2 Corinthians 5:1717 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!As fallen human beings, we are still trapped in a body that desires sinful thingsRomans 7:14-2514 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] I want to do what is right, but I can't. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.21 I have discovered this principle of life-that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
As Christians, the Holy Spirit in us produces His fruit and we can conquer the acts of our sinful nature through the power of the Spirit.Philippians 4:133 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.A Christian will never be completely victorious under all circumstances by demonstrating the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
It is one of the main purposes in the life of a Christian, to progressively allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more of His fruit in our lives-and to allow the Holy Spirit to conquer the opposing sinful desires.
God desires that we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit i our lives and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible!
What kind of life do you want?Jesus makes a promise to us in
John 10:10: "I come that they have life and have it to the full."
We can claim that promise by living life in the Spirit.
Paul describes this struggle between our sinful nature and our spiritual nature. by means of a metaphor.You are the farmer and your life isthe crop. What do you want to grow in your life?
If you sow seeds of selfish desires, the crop will produce that.
Galatians 6:7, 8"People harvest only what they plant. If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin. But if they plant to please the Spirit, they will receive eternal life from the Spirit."
Read again how Paul describe the difference between the two kinds of lifestyles inGalatians 5:19-23
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and help you to sow according to His way. He wants to bless your life and produce good fruit. All you have to do is to trust and obey Him.
Let's start be examining the fruit in detail. Take note that the Bible does not refer to it as fruits, but as fruit, meaning that it is like a bunch of grapes, it is one fruit comprising of nine but separate fragments of the fruit.Let's examine each one of these fragments in detail from some of the different Bible Dictionaries and Commentaries,
The first characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit is loveThe fruit of the Holy Spirit 1– Love
The fruit of “love” is mentioned first indicating that it's probably the most important attribute of them all. We cannot produce the type of love God desires without the leading and strength of the Holy Spirit.The English word love has a very broad meaning, but the Greek language is very precise. The love which the Holy Spirit manifests in believers is agape.
This love is not a feeling, but a choice. We have a choice to be kind, to sacrifice, and to consider another’s needs greater than our own
Philippians 2:33 don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.Agape is used in all of the "hard" love verses in the New Testament:John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's Friends.1 John 3:11“For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another”.Luke 6:35"35 "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked." 1 John 5:3“3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. “.It is because of love that God carried out His plan to save the world: John 3:16
16 "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
It is only by love that we can keep the greatest commandments:Mark 12:30-31"Love the Lord your God" and "love your neighbor as yourself" We are commanded to love, everything that we do or say or think must be done with love
How does Worldly Love compare to Biblical Love ?
Worldly Love lived outside the Christian Faith have many "ifs." "If you meet my needs then I'll meet yours. Conditional love is selfish love. Selfish love is self centered, self indulgent and for instant gratification.Selfish love will tell you to pull your own strings, Manipulate others through intimidation, do anything to get your own way
Worldly selfish love is hateful, troublesome, cruel and blessed by the Devil. Selfish love has one person in mine – self. Biblical Love on the other hand is Unconditional Love.There are many things that Biblical loves expects a person not to do.Biblical love sets boundaries. The boundaries are for our own good.The Biblical boundaries of love are safeguards to marriage relationships, it builds life-long trust.It's helpful to look at love from the standpoint of how the world views love and compare worldly love to Biblical love.God knows all about our life. He knows our situation and all our challenges. God loves us and wants to give us His love to help us.When you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior you begin to practice Biblical love.
Worldly love is conditional while Biblical love is unconditional love.Biblical love loves others as Jesus loves them."
Biblical love is Christ-like.
Biblical love is based upon the Word of God.
Biblical love is described as selfless commitment.
It is the quality of love at work in the hearts of people who have invited Jesus to be Savior and Lord of their lives.Biblical love when lived is mutually shared, it is unselfish love.
The Apostle Paul describes Biblical love as part of the fruit of the Spirit when living a life of compassion.The ancient Greek language ha four words to describe love:
eros, phileo, storge and agape
The first word is eros, from which we get the English word ÔÇÿerotic.' Erosis the word used to express sexual love or the feelings of arousal that are shared between people who are physically attracted to one another. By New Testament times, this word had become so dishonored by the culture that it is not used even once in the entire New Testament.The second Greek word for love is phileo, which forms part of the words ÔÇÿphilosophy' (love of wisdom) or philanthropy (love of fellow man). This word speaks more of the warm affection shared between family and friends.
Whereas eros is more closely associated with the libido, phileo can be more associated with the emotions, or the heart.We feel love for our friends and family, obviously not in the erossense, but a love that motivates us to want to treat them kindly and help them succeed.
We feel phileo love toward friends and family, but not toward people whom we dislike.The third Greek word for love is storge, which relates to natural, familial love such as the love between a parent and child.
The negative form of storgeis Astorgos and isused twice in the New Testament. And it means "without natural or instinctive affection, without affection to relatives."Different from these three is the forth Greek word for love, agapao, typically defined as "self-sacrificing love."It is the love that moves people into action and looks out for the well-being of others, no matter the personal cost.
It is not a love because of; it is a love in spite of
Biblically speaking, agapao is the love God showed us in sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.
It is the love that focuses on the will, not the emotions or libido. This is the love that Jesus commands His disciples to show toward their enemies Unlike our English word "love," agape is not used in the Bible to refer to romantic ,brotherly or friendship love.
Agape love is unique and is distinguished by its nature and character.Agape is love which is of and from God, whose very nature is love itself. The apostle John affirms this in:
1 John 4:8
8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
One of the best descriptions of love is found in I Cor. 13:1-13I have placed the translation of Cor.13 from the (The Message)The Way of Love
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.2 If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.Love cares more for others than for self.Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.Love doesn't prance or frolic,Doesn't have a swelled head,Doesn't force itself on others,Isn't always "me first,"Doesn't fly off the handle,Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,Doesn't revel when others grovel,Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,Puts up with anything,Trusts God always,Always looks for the best,Never looks back,But keeps going to the end.
8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be cancelled.
11 When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
Let's read I Corinthians 13:4-7 with a difference(Taken from the NLT Bible)
I have changed the word "love"and replaced it with the letter "I"to read as follows:I am patient and kind.
I am not jealous or boastful
I am not proud or rude.
I do not demand my own way.I am not irritable, I keep no record of when I have been wrongedI am never glad about injustice I rejoice whenever the truth wins out. I never give up, I never lose faith, I'm always hopeful,
I always endure through every circumstance." (NLT)Think about what kind of impact that level of love would have in our homes, our lives and the people around us.Biblical love is the work of God transforming the human heart to become more and more like Jesus.
The Apostle Paul taught the Christians in Corinth that when people become Christ followers they stop living for themselves but they start living to glorify God.
They allow the love of Christ to control them. They no longer live to please themelves, but live to please Jesus who died for them.2 Corinthians 5:1717 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
There is transforming power in the love of Jesus. (Someone once told me 30 years ago "Jesus is in the life changing business")Love is the greatest gift God can give. First Corinthians 13 says that agape is patient. Agape is kind. Agapenever fails. God desires to show His perfect, selfless love to a world that is routinely confused about what true love is. God's children are His mouthpieceand the channel of His love, as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Literally, the “fruit of the spirit"is what happens when the Holy Spirit indwells a believer. The “fruit” is the product of the Holy Spirit’s cultivation of character in a heart. (Here it is again memorize it)
Gal 5:22-23
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
Let's look at the second characteristic listed is joy.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit 2– JoyThe Greek word for joyischara.Joy is the natural reaction to the work of God, whether promised or fulfilled. Joy expresses God’s kingdom-His influence on earthRomans 14:1717 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.The Spirit's production of joy can manifest in several different ways:1.The joy of freedom:When God sets someone free, rejoicing is in order. 1 Samuel 2:1Then Hannah prayed:"My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.
Hannah was filled with joy at her deliverance from her enemies.Acts 12:14:14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, "Peter is standing at the door!"
The servant girl was so overjoyed that God had rescued Peter from prison that she forgot to let Peter into the house.2.The joy of salvation:Our greatest reason to be joyful is that God wants to save us and spend eternity with us. Nothing is better than this. Luke 15:77 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!All heaven is joyful when a person accepts God’s provision of salvation. Acts 8:8
8 So there was great joy in that city. The people of Samaria were joyful as they heard the gospel and saw God’s power in healing the sick. Acts 13:52
52 And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 15:3
3 The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them-much to everyone's joy-that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.
Jewish believers rejoiced when they heard of the work of the Holy Spirit in saving Gentiles.3. The joy of spiritual maturity:As the Holy Spirit works in us to bear more fruit, we become confident in God’s promises and rejoice in our walk with Him and with other believers. John 15:11
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!The fullness of joy comes to those who continue in the love of Christ and obey Him.2 Corinthians 1:2424 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
2 Corinthians 2:3
3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won't be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful.
2 Corinthians 7:4
4 I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.1 Thessalonians 3:9
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God's presence.
Paul experienced joy as the churches gave evidence of the Holy Spirit working among them.
Philippians 2:22 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Groups of believers who unite in demonstrating the mind, love, and purpose of Christ bring joy to others.Hebrews 10:34
34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
Hebrews 12:2
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
James 1:2-4
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Believers, following the example of Jesus, endure persecution because of the promise of future joy.4.The joy of God’s presence:
The Holy Spirit draws us to God, in whose presence we can know true joy. Without the Holy Spirit, no one would seek God.Psalm 16:11
11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.(Greek version reads You have shown me the way of life, / and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Compare Acts 2:28.)Mary and the shepherds were joyful because Immanuel had been born.
Matthew 2:1010 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
Luke 1:14
14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
The women who went to Jesus’ tomb and the disciples were overjoyed that He rose from the dead.Matthew 28:8
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel's message.
Luke 24:4141 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
The Greek chara is closely related to charis, which means "grace" or "a gift."
Chara (Joy) is the normal response to charis(Grace)We have joy because of God’s grace.
The next step must be, we must allow our joy to become an action as we express it.Sometimes one's joy can be so great it is inexpressible
1 Peter 1:88 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
Possessing joy is a choice. We choose whether to value God’s presence, promises, and work in our lives.
When we yield to the Spirit, He opens our eyes to God’s grace around us and fills us with joy Romans 15:13
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joy is not to be found in a fallen world; it is only fellowship with God that can make our joy complete.
1 John 1:4
4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
(Or so that our joy may be complete; some manuscripts read your joy.)
Is there a difference between joy and happiness ?Yes, yes, and yes! Depending on your translation, the Bible uses joy (or rejoice) over 300 times. Happiness (or happy) is only used about 30 times. There has to be a distinction between them, but what is it?
What is Happiness?The definition of happiness in the dictionary is "a state of well-being, a pleasurable or satisfying experience."What is Joy?Joy comes from the Greek word chara, and it means “to be exceedingly glad.” Joy is such a little word, but it explodes with such a profound meaning. Take this example from. James 1:2-42 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” Joy comes from a solid factor, an unshakeable fact: your faith in the Lord. True joy burns within you and is not dependant on external circumstances. Lets look at Philippians 1:12-2412 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear.15 It's true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
Paul's Life for Christ
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honour to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better. 23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.As believers we are told to rejoice, joy is not a feeling it is a state of mindPhilippians 4:4-74 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!
Did you notice Philippians 1:18? “18 But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. ” Paul wrote these words while he was in jail and knew his life was nearing the end. Yet he still had joy; his foundation was in his Saviour, and through his suffering the gospel spread throughout all of Rome. This was no fleeting happy feeling; it was assurance in God’s power to use his life for His glory.
What kind of crops do you want to harvest in your life?
thethird characteristic listed is peace
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit 3 –PeacePaul urges us ,Romans 12:1818 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
What a perfect example of our role in the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.We are to submit our wills to God’s leading and our actions to God’s Word, but the actual results are up to Him. Only God can create peace through the work of the Holy Spirit. Especially the peace mentioned in Galatians 5-the peace of a harmonious relationship with God.We are born at war. At birth, our sinful nature has already declared war on God and His truth. Our heart’s desire is to be separated from Him, and if we persist in this desire until death, He will give us what we want.But God's methods of warfare are not what we expected. Instead of a battle, He sent us peace – the Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.The government will rest on his shoulders.And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Jesus' goal in coming to earth was more than simply to cease hostilities; He came to bring about a full and abiding relationship of restoration and love.The cost of this peace was His life Isaiah 53:5But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.But, just as we cannot force another to be at peace with us, even Jesus' sacrifice on the cross did not ensure that we would accept His terms of peace.
Romans 3:10-11
10 As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous- not even one.11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.None of us can accept Jesus’ offer of peace through our own will and power. Our natural selves do not want it. Only God can lead us to want peace with Him; The Holy Spirit leads us to want Jesus and His message. Once the Spirit draws us, and we believe in Jesus, then we start experiencing the peace.Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.However, the fruit of the Spirit includes a peace that goes beyond that of salvation. It is a sweet relationship. We are called to His presenceEphesians 2:11-18Oneness and Peace in Christ11 Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called "uncircumcised heathens" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.
13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.
16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.We are called to be confident in that presenceHebrews 4:1616 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.because we are His friends John 15:1515 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.As Isaiah says, Isaiah 26:33 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!God's peace transcends earthly mattersPhilippians 4:4-74 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Believers are told “not to worry about anything,” for we have a wonderful promises that His “peace will guard our hearts and minds.”
It is a peace "which transcends all understanding"To the worldly mind, such peace is incomprehensible.
Its source is the Holy Spirit of God, whom the world neither sees nor knows. John 14:1717 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.The Spirit-filled Christian has a peace that is abundant, available in every situation, and unlike anything that the world has to offer.
The peace that comes from being in a right relationship with God is not the peace of this world. The world's peace depends on having favorable circumstances: if things are going well, then we feel peaceful; when things go wrong, the peace is quickly driven away. Jesus made the distinction between His peace and the world's wavering peace:
John 14:27
27 "I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
The believer who places his or her full confidence in a loving God and is thankful in every circumstance will possess a supernatural peace. An inner calmwill dominate the heart. The faithful believer will know peace-his heart and mind are "guarded" by it-despite the tempest raging without. No one, especially those outside of Christ, will be able to fathom that peace. To most, it will remain a mystery how someone can be so serene in the midst of turmoil.
God's supernatural peace surpasses natural understanding. A cancer patient who experiences a remission of the disease may proclaim, "I am so thankful to God!" That is praise. A cancer patient who is dying and in pain may calmly say, "Everything is all right. I claim Romans 8:28
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.and may say"I have peace in my heart." That is "the peace that passes all understanding."The alternative to being filled with the Spirit and His peace is to be filled with alarm, doubt, worry orwith fear. How much better to let the Spirit have control and perform His work of growing fruit to the glory of God!
“What does the Bible say about inner peace?”The world places a priority on inner peace, and it offers thousands of suggestions to those who seek "peace of mind and soul." Usually, the gurus of inner peace point to oneself as the source of peace. There is much talk of meditation, finding an "inner light," and chakras. (A chakra is a spiritual "power point" used in Yoga and Eastern mysticism. The wordchakradescribes one element in a highly complex system of thought about the energies of the body).If we need any help from outside of ourselves, worldly wisdom says, it will come in the form of a "spirit guide" or perhaps some crystals or herbs.
(Belief in spirit guides is commonly associated with New Age, pagan, and spiritualistic belief systems. The term "spirit guide" is not always used, as they are also called "ascended masters" or "unseen helpers." Automatic writing, dream states, hypnotism, and meditation are all practices related to spirit guides. Also terms such as "magic circles," centering, iridology, crystals, self-actualization, and positive affirmation are often associated with spirit guides. The goal of contacting a spirit guide is usually to discover some secret wisdom and rise to a higher level of consciousness.)The problem is, besides the obvious endorsement of witchcraft, is that it completely ignores the source of true peace-the Lord Jesus Christ.This is what He saidJohn 14:27"I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I giveis a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.Paul refers to "the God of all peace"
Romans 15:13,33
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit……….33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen
Galatians 6:16
16 May God's peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.
The term peace is often used as a greeting and a benediction.
Luke 24:36
36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. "Peace be with you," he said.
So what exactly is peace, and how can we have "inner peace"?A word often translated "peace" in the Bible actually means "to tie together as a whole, when all essential parts are joined together."
Inner peace, then, is a wholeness of mind and spirit, a whole heart at rest. Inner peace has little to do with external surroundings.
Jesus said, John 14:27""I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
He had also told His followers inJohn 16:33that:
" I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.".
So peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God.When the "God of all peace" comes to live inside a believing heart, He begins to produce His own characteristics in that life.
1 Corinthians 6:19
19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,Inner peace comes from knowing that circumstances are temporary and that God is sovereign over all
Isaiah 46:9-11.9 Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.11 I will call a swift bird of prey from the east- a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.Peace comes from exercising faith in the character of God and His Word. We can choose peace rather than give way to fear and worry. Inner peace resulting from a relationship with God allows us to keep things in proper perspective. We can accept difficult situations on earth by remembering that our citizenship is in heaven Philippians 3:2020 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.We are commanded to "live in peace" with others, as far as it is up to us
Romans 12:18;2 Corinthians 13:11;Hebrews 12:14
To live at peace means we interact with those around us in accordance with our own wholeness of mind. Our reactions to circumstances can bring peace to an otherwise chaotic situation. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). And James 3:18 says, "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
God's desire is that we who know Him learn to live in peace within ourselves first.
Then we can radiate that peace to others, bringing calmness and wisdom to tense situations, and in so doing be lights in the worldMatthew 5:1414 "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.Philippians 2:14-15
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.theforth characteristic listed is patience
“The Fruit of the Holy Spirit 4 – PatienceThere are two Greek words translated as “patience” in the New Testament.
Hupomon─ômeans “a remaining under,” as when one bears up under a burden.
It refers to steadfastness in difficult circumstances.
Makrothumia, which is used in Galatians 5:22, is a compound formed bymakros("long") and thumos("passion" or "temper").
"Patience" inGalatians 5:22literally means "long temper," in the sense of "the ability to hold one's temper for a long time."
The KJV translates it as"longsuffering."
A patient person is able to endure much pain and suffering without complaining. A patient person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing.
Since it is a fruit of the Spirit, we can only possess makrothumiathrough the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.I have often heard it being said that you should never pray for patience because when you do, the Lord is sure to give you something to test your patience. Patience (Long suffering)is a word and a concept that is used a lot in the Bible.
Some other synonyms for patience or patient are:
Tolerance, forbearance and resignation.Patience comes from a position of power.
A person may have the ability to take revenge or cause trouble, but patience brings self-restraint and careful thinking.
Losing patience is a sign of weakness.
We are patient through trying situations out of hope for a coming deliverance;
We are patient with a trying person out of compassion.
We choose to love that person and want what’s best for him.As the Spirit produces patience in us, He is making us more Christ like.
We read in Scripture of the "patience of Christ"
2 Thessalonians 3:55 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
Christ is even now patiently awaiting the completion of the Father's plan:
Hebrews 10:12-13
12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet.
We should be patient, even as He is patient.God is patient with sinners. God’s patience leads to our repentance.Romans 2:44 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Romans 9:22
22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.
Only God’s patience prevents Him from destroying "the objects of his wrath." Paul glorifies the Lord for His "unlimited patience" 1 Timothy 1:1616 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Peter highlights God's immense patience with the evil people of Noah’s day thet we read about in Genesis 6
1 Peter 3:2020 Thosethat disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
Peter points out that, delaying judgment as long as possible
Today, "our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved"
2 Peter 3:1515 And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him-
James urges believers to be patient and not to complain as we wait for Jesus to return.
James holds up the prophets as models of patience
James 5:7-117 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.9 Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look-the Judge is standing at the door!10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.The Bible is a great resource and reminder of the many that have gone before us with patience and endurance. Here are five Bible stories about patience that feature some great men of faith.
Abraham – The Father of Many Nations
God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. But when the promise was first given (Genesis 12:1-3) Abraham and his wife Sarah did not have any children. God continued to restate His promise to Abraham through the years (Genesis 13:6; 15:1-6; 17:6-8; 18:10).
Abraham, though known as a man of faith, took his wife's suggestion and had a child with Sarah's handmaid. The son's name was Ishmael. But this was not the son God intended for Abraham. (Genesis 16)
Finally when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old God gave them their son Isaac. Though it took years of patiently waiting, they received the promise of God. Hebrews 6:15 says of Abraham, "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."
Joseph – From Pit to Prison to Palace – A Picture of Patience
Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave (Genesis 37:27, 28). Though he did not understand all that was happening, he trusted God to work out His plan in His time. Joseph patiently worked faithfully in each situation he was in. He waited for God to fulfill His promise that Joseph would be a leader of his people (Genesis 37:5-11). He had to be patient as he believed God, but probably wondered why he was sitting in a prison cell.
God did lift Joseph up to great power and responsibility. Not only was he a leader of his people, but he ruled over the people of Egypt too. Patience was needed to allow God to accomplish His purposes in the life of Joseph and his family.
Job – The Man of Patience
Probably the best known story of patience in the Bible is the life of Job. To prove Job's faithfulness to the Lord, God allowed the devil to destroy everything Job owned (Job 1). Job was a wealthy man. He lost his crops, property, cattle and servants. But most devastating of all was when Job lost his children. However, Job did not blame God. He accepted that God had a plan and would be patient for God to reveal His plan.
Job's friends came to council him. They tried to find out what great sin Job had committed to deserve the punishment he received. Job would not admit to any sin. Job knew that sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Often people will talk about the patience of Job. He knew God had a plan and was willing to accept what God allowed in his life. In the end God restored to Job twice as much as he had in the beginning (Job 42:10).
Simeon – Eagerly Awaited the Messiah
Luke 2 tells the story of the birth of Christ. The angels announced his birth to the shepherds who then went to see Jesus in the manger. Later, in the same chapter, Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple to give an offering to God for the birth of their child.
The Holy Ghost had revealed to a man named Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the birth of the Messiah. The Bible does not indicate how long Simeon waited for the birth of Christ, but the fact that it says he would not die until he saw the Saviour indicates that he waited some time.
After Jesus arrived in the temple Simeon was led by the Spirit to visit Him there. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and thanked God that the promised child had arrived. Joseph and Mary were surprised by Simeon's actions. Simeon knew that he could depart in peace.
Jesus – An Example of Patience
Hebrews 12 says of Jesus' death on the cross that it was something He "endured." While His crucifixion was for our salvation, the Bible says His death is also an example for our lives. When we are worn down during our daily tasks we are reminded:Hebrews 12:2, 3, "2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God's throne……3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people[a] then you won't become weary and give up
Before Jesus arrived at the cross He patiently trained the disciples.
Even after His miracles and proclamations of being the Son of God, the disciples were often confused as to who Jesus was. Today we think of the disciples as being mature men of faith. But as we read through the gospel accounts, Jesus was still trying to teach them how to persevere in prayer up until the moment He was taken in the garden to be crucified.
Patience for Us Too
Whatever the task is that God has called us to, we need to continue doing the work even if we don't see the progress we would like to see. Even Jesus was teaching His disciples until the moment of His death. Jesus is an example of patience for us.
God is patient, and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in us. When we are patient, we leave room for God to work in our hearts and in our relationships.
We lay down our schedule and trust in God's.
We thank the Lord for what and whom He's brought into our lives.
We let God be God.
Bible Verses About Patience: 20 Scripture Quotes
God is Patient
Numbers 14:18 18 ÔÇÿThe Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected-even children in the third and fourth generations.
Psalm 86:15
15 But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy,slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Nahum 1:3
3 The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm.he billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.
Romans 2:3-4
3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Limits of Patience
Genesis 6:3
3 Then the Lord said, "My Spirit will not put up with[a] humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years."
Jeremiah 44:22
22 It was because the Lord could no longer bear all the disgusting things you were doing that he made your land an object of cursing-a desolate ruin without inhabitants-as it is today.
Matthew 25:41
41 "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ÔÇÿAway with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. (Jesus speaking)
Evidence of the Holy Spirit
2 Corinthians 12:12
12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Ephesians 4:1-3
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Colossians 1:11-12
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,[a] 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
Colossians 3:12-13
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Waiting with Patience
Luke 8:15
15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
bear fruit with patience." (Jesus speaking in the parable of the sower)
Romans 2:6-7
6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers
Romans 8:24-25
24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope[a] for it.25 But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
1 Timothy 1:16
16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Hebrews 6:11-12
11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith, endurance and patience.
The opposite of patience is agitation, discouragement, and a desire for revenge.
God does not want His children to live in agitation but in peace
John 14:27
27 "I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
He wants to dispel discouragement and replace it with hope and praise
Psalm 42:5
5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?I will put my hope in God!I will praise him again-my Savior and
We are not to avenge ourselves; rather, we are to love others
Romans 12:1919 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,"I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18
18 "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am theLord.The Old Testament prophets ceaselessly spoke God’s Word to unheeding and abusive audiences. Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern
Jeremiah 38:1-16
Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah had been telling the people. He had been saying, 2 "This is what the Lord says: ÔÇÿEveryone who stays in Jerusalem will die from war, famine, or disease, but those who surrender to the Babylonians will live. Their reward will be life. They will live!' 3 The Lord also says: ÔÇÿThe city of Jerusalem will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.'"4 So these officials went to the king and said, "Sir, this man must die! That kind of talk will undermine the morale of the few fighting men we have left, as well as that of all the people. This man is a traitor!"5 King Zedekiah agreed. "All right," he said. "Do as you like. I can't stop you."6 So the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard. It belonged to Malkijah, a member of the royal family. There was no water in the cistern, but there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it.7 But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official, heard that Jeremiah was in the cistern. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate, 8 so Ebed-melech rushed from the palace to speak with him. 9 "My lord the king," he said, "these men have done a very evil thing in putting Jeremiah the prophet into the cistern. He will soon die of hunger, for almost all the bread in the city is gone."10 So the king told Ebed-melech, "Take thirty of my men with you, and pull Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies."11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to a room in the palace beneath the treasury, where he found some old rags and discarded clothing. He carried these to the cistern and lowered them to Jeremiah on a rope.12 Ebed-melech called down to Jeremiah, "Put these rags under your armpits to protect you from the ropes." Then when Jeremiah was ready, 13 they pulled him out. So Jeremiah was returned to the courtyard of the guard-the palace prison-where he remained.Zedekiah Questions Jeremiah
14 One day King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and had him brought to the third entrance of the Lord's Temple. "I want to ask you something," the king said. "And don't try to hide the truth."15 Jeremiah said, "If I tell you the truth, you will kill me. And if I give you advice, you won't listen to me anyway."16 So King Zedekiah secretly promised him, "As surely as the Lord our Creator lives, I will not kill you or hand you over to the men who want you dead."
Elijah was so worn out from his fight with Jezebel that he wanted to die
1Kings 19:1-8
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: "May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them."3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died."5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, "Get up and eat!" 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, "Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you."8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai,[a] the mountain of God.
Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den-by a king who was his friend
Daniel 6:16-28
16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, "May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you."17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn't sleep at all that night.19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions' den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?"21 Daniel answered, "Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty."23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:"Peace and prosperity to you!26 "I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.For he is the living God, and he will endure forever.His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.27 He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.Christian Quotes About Patience
"The times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on the Lord." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada
"If I have not the patience of my Saviour with the souls who grow slowly; if I know little of travail (a sharp and painful thing) till Christ be fully formed in them, then I know nothing of Calvary love." ~ Amy Carmichael
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them- every day begin the task anew." ~ Francis de Sales
"Cast not away your confidence because God defers his performances. That which does not come in your time, will be hastened in his time, which is always the more convenient season. God will work when he pleases, how he pleases, and by what means he pleases. He is not bound to keep our time, but he will perform his word, honour our faith, and reward them that diligently seek him." ~ Matthew Henry
"Timing is so important! If you are going to be successful in dance, you must be able to respond to rhythm and timing.
It's the same in the Spirit.
People who don't understand God's timing can become spiritually spastic, trying to make the right things happen at the wrong time. They don't get His rhythm – and everyone can tell they are out of step.
They birth things prematurely, threatening the very lives of their God-given dreams."
The fifth characteristicof the fruit of the Spirit is"kindness", it is called "gentleness" in the KJV.The Fruit of the Holy Spirit no. 5 – KindnessGalatians 5:22-23lists the fruit of the SpiritThe result – if you allow the Holy Spirit to develop maturity in your character and your life then you will start baring the fruit of the Spirit. We are not naturally inclined to feel kindness to one another. The world teaches us to “look out for number one”-to dismiss others and concern ourselves with our own needs.
To feel a positive, kindhearted concern inspired by a good character is not our natural tendency. Yet the Bible exhorts us to be kindIt is hard to show kindness to others, and even harder to feel it. Those who are “God’s chosen ones” are called to kindness. Thankfully, we’re also empowered by the Holy Spirit to make it happen. Kindness is His fruit.
Colossians 3:1212 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.When we exhibit the kindness of God, then we are tender, compassionate, and useful to others. Every action, every word will have the flavor of grace in it. To maintain this attitude toward those we love is hard enough. To express kindness toward those who are against us requires the work of God2 Corinthians 6:4-6
4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us,[a] and by our sincere love.The only way we can truly feel kindness toward others is through the influence of the Holy Spirit. As you submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit works in your heart to replace selfishness, anger, and coarseness with love, patience, and gentleness. These qualities are the “fruit” or consequence of the Spirit.When the Spirit works in us, we begin doing kind deeds because we arekind.There is no hypocrisy involved.The Spirit changes our hearts and thereby changes our actions.
The Greek word for "kindness" is chr─ôstot─ôs.It means "benignity", the Oxford dictionary describes it as (kindness and gentleness of disposition or appearance), It means also tender concern, uprightness." “good, mild, and fit for use.” . It is kindness of heart and kindness of act.This kindness we read of in the New Testament, this chr─ôstot─ôs, is more than just doing something nice once in a while. It motivated the Good SamaritanLuke 10:25-37. It is such kindness that should motivate our behavior toward those who upset us, but how many of us practice what the parable of the Good Samaritan teaches?
Kindness is the characteristic that led God to provide salvation for usTitus 3:4-54 But-When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[a]Romans 2:44 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?Romans 11:2222 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
Because God is kind to us He leads us to green pastures, quiet waters, and the restoration of our souls when we’re weary (Psalm 23:2-3). It is God’s tender care that makes Him want to gather us under His wings, to protect us and keep us close to Him (Psalm 17:836:761:4Matthew 23:37). God expressed kindness when He provided for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath during a drought-and He showed more kindness later when He raised the widow’s only son from the dead (1 Kings 17:8-24). When Sarah exiled Hagar and Ishmael, God gave the outcasts kindness in the form of water and hope (Genesis 21:9-21). On multiple occasions, kindness induced Jesus to stop what He was doing and help others in need Mark 6:3434 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.Mark 10:46-5246 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"48 "Be quiet!" many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, "Tell him to come here." So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!"50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked."My Rabbi,[a]" the blind man said, "I want to see!" 52 And Jesus said to him, "Go, for your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.[]
Kindness leads the Good Shepherd to rescue us when we stray(Luke 15:3-7). In kindness He "gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young"(Isaiah 40:11).Some times we have to listen to unjustified allegations and unfair jokes made about others, how would you like it if they were made about you? Unkind jokes are so common, they seem to be the norm for many people; but they should not be for Christians. When we exposes corruption and hypocrisy that is OK, but when we make pointless remarks, that is unkind.
Have you ever seen a Christian who has no kindness? I don't think anyone has seen a good Christian who is not kind, because it is very hard for a person without kindness to be a good Christian. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says that the greatest character we can have is love, and 1 Corinthians 13:4 says that, among other things, love is patient and love is kind.Let's look at the kindness all Christians should have, and then we'll look at what kindness is not, and the subtle ways we might be sinning by being unkind without realizing it.
Why Be Kind?Because God commanded us to be kind to others in Scripture and that alone is enough reason. Another reason is out of gratitude, because God has been so kind to us.
God is kind when he gives us what we need in this life. even if we are disobedient, as with Jonah. He is kind because He offers eternal life to all; however, as Jonah 4:2 says, “those who worship worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Other verses that show God's kindness include :2 Cor. 6:66 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us,[a] and by our sincere love.Eph 2:77 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.Titus 3:3-53 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.4 But-When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us,not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Luke 6:35.35 "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
God is the most kind being in the universe; But God does not exclude His other attributes because of His kindness toward us. Romans 11:22 says to consider the kindness and sternness of God.
Do you have the Fruit of kindness?As I said before, these are not nine different fruits, because the word fruit is singular; rather these are nine manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.So kindness is an attitude we are to have on the inside.
Clothing OurselvesColossians 3:12 says we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.So kindness is something we are to practice on the outside; and people should be able to see it. Sometime you should ask a close friend to name ten character qualities about you.Do you think one of them would be kindness? If not, perhaps you need to do more to clothe yourself with kindness.Many Ways to be KindThe Bible gives us many ways to be kind. Love others as ourselves.Matt 22:39-40; Luke 12:31; James 2:8; Col 3:13-14; 1 John 3:16-8Be rich in good deeds.1 Tim 5:10; 6:18; 1 Peter 2:12,15We are to be kind to each otherActs 28:2; 2 Pet 1:7; Eph 4:32Be devoted to doing good.Titus 3:14; James 4:17Aid, care, protect, help, and don’t cause harm to others.1 Cor 13:7; Rom 13:10;14:19-21Be kind to both people and animals. Prov 12:10; Heb 13:3. However, killing and eating animals is OK. Acts 10:10-5.Jesus ate fish and other meat.
Be hospitable to one another.3 John 8.Be hospitable to all.1 Tim 5:10; Heb 13:2; Titus 1:8Be especially kind to widows and orphans.James 1:27; Dt 15:11; Psalm 68:5.Be especially kind to the sick, hungry, naked, and imprisoned. Matt 25:34-46; Zech 7:9-10
Looking for Ways to Be KindIn Esther 6:1-3, the king could not sleep, so he had the chronicles of the court read to him. When he heard of what Mordecai did, he asked what had been done for Mordecai. We should always look for ways to be kind to others, including those who have been kind to us. If everyone simply tried to follow this rule, to love and honour God, this world would be a very different and better place.
Even our EnemiesJesus does not ask, but commands us to be kind to even our enemies. Even though we don't hate others that could be our enemies, others might consider us their enemies simply because we are Christians or speaking the truth of Christ. We are to love them, bless them, give to them, do good to them, and be merciful to them.Luke 6:27-3627 "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
32 "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
35 "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate
What Not to DoDo not be self-seeking or just look after your own interests. Rom 2:8; Php 2:3-4, 20-1;Jas3:14-16;1Th4:11-12;Ps119:36; Isaiah 56:11Do not insult others, or even return insults. 1 Pet 2:23;3:9; Lk 6:22; James 2:6We overlook others insulting us. Proverbs 12:16; 19:11. Be civil to others, not rude.1 Cor 13:5; Col 4:6Have no malice to others. Gal 5:18; Eph 4:31-32; Titus 3:3; Mt 5:43-48; Lk 6:27-36; Lev 19:17Don’t even plan or think evil.Ps 119:150; Prov 30:32; 12:20; 14:22; 16:27,30; 24:1-9; Ecc 7:29; 8:11; Isaiah 29:15; 32:6-7;33:15;55:7; Jer 11:15; Nah 1:9; Rom 1:30; 13:14; Zech 8:17; Mic 2:1Paul and Kindness1 Thessalonians 2:6-8“As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
Paul was kind and gentle, and his love and kindness was a motivation to preach to others, correct them , and even debate with others. Paul mentioned rebuke, correction, and encouragement in 2 Timothy 4:2Most people like to be encourage, but correction and rebuke are just as important, and there is a difference between them. Correction is telling a person who unknowingly is on the wrong path that their path is wrong and what the right path is. Rebuke is for someone who is on the wrong path, and deep down they can know it but do not want to change. It needs to be stronger than correction.Under what circumstances would you give correction, and under what circumstances would you give rebuke. If your answer to both is never, even when the person will greatly suffer without them, then I question if you are really kind.Kindness and UsOf all of the virtues Christians should cultivate, kindness. Being always nice, and never wanting to rock the boat can be confused with kindness, but kindness often takes more courage than that. Kindness includes outwardly expressing love and concern for others, and kind acts include both pleasant things and warnings. Do not be inconsistent and do unkind things too.A final warning: The world is concerned with how you excel in business , sports, money, and your career. The world can unfairly judge you according to your looks, house, car, and bank account. However, your character and treasures in heaven should be your focus. God is most concerned with how you excel in walking with Him, loving Him and loving others. As you turn away from the priorities of the world, and seek to excel in following God, you will excel in kindness too.Consider Both the Kindness and Sternness of GodKindness is not just about giving, it is also about being willing to accept kindness directed to you. Self pride and vanity can keep people from accepting the kindness of others, and it can keep people from accepting the kindness of God. All of us have sinned, and none of us deserve to go to heaven. All of us have a selfish, sinful nature. Not only are we undeserving of going to heaven, we also are unfit to enter heaven.God has no obligation to have let anyone into Heaven. I like to think I have control over my house; I do not want bugs, strange dogs, or violent people to come inI have the right to keep them out. How much more does God have the right to keep out of Heaven that which is imperfect, and would spoil the perfect goodness that is in heaven.Even though God had no obligation to save anyone, God graciously chose to make a way, His way, for people to go to Heaven, sinful and dirty though we are. God forgave our sins, nailing them to the cross of Jesus, who paid for them. God promises to sanctify us, to clean us up to be sinless and perfect when we die, that we may live with God in love forever.1 Peter 3:8-9This is adressed to All Christians8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing and kindness. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.Thesixth characteristic is"Goodness",
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit 6 – Goodness
Goodness: God’s Character and Man’s Potential
The spiritual fruit of goodness enables sinful man to do good and to be good-good in the truest sense of the word. Goodness, after all, is the essence of God’s nature.
The Bible says that it is the goodness of God that will lead sinners to repentance and salvation.
The quality of goodness is another real powerful quality to have operating through you.
Thisparticular quality has a real drawing power to it. Not only does the goodness of God draw people direct to Him, but this fruit of goodness operating in a believer can also draw people direct to God through the actual believer.
Spirit-filled saints who are walking with many of these fruits operating through them are like a magnet.
Many people who have been saved through an individual believer say that what drew them in was the love and goodness they saw shining through that believer.
Jesus says that we are to carry His light and let that light shine before men and not attempt to hide it.
Part of His light are the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit shining through an anointed believer.Nonbelievers are really drawn to someone who has some degree of these nine fruits manifesting through their personalities.
However, there is something extra special about the quality of goodness.
Many Christians can effectively witness to others by just living right and being a good example and role model for others to follow.
Many nonbelievers carefully watch and study some Christians because they know there is something really different about them.
One of the key qualities a nonbeliever will pick up on in a solid Christian is this quality of goodness. This quality has an ability to really get down deep into the core of a believer's personality.
To those who really have this quality, you can tell that it is something operating deep down inside of them.
This quality is not something that waivers like some of the other qualities can do. These people are good down to the very cores of their personalities. You can see it and feel it when you get around these types of people.
As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, our character changes. Where we had harbored selfishness, cruelty, rebelliousness, and spite, we now possess love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Everything in the list reflects the character of God, and goodness is one that relates directly to morality.Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterized by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing.
It’s a moral characteristic of a Spirit-filled person. The Greek word translated "goodness,"agathosune, is defined as “uprightness of heart and life.”Agathosuneis goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous.Itdoesn’t just refer to an attitude or a motivation, but a lifestyle characterized by virtue and helpfulness.Someone with agathosunewill selflessly act on behalf of others. Confronting someone about a sin demonstrates goodness. So do giving to the poor, providing for one's children, visiting the sick, volunteering to clean up after a storm, and praying for an enemy. Expressions of goodness are as varied as the Spirit is creative.Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own.
We read in James 1:17
17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. (Greek from above, from the Father of lights) He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (Some manuscripts read He never changes, as a shifting shadow does.)
This certainly includes a life characterized by goodness. In letting the Holy Spirit control us, we are blessed with the fruit of goodness.
God is good. Through the work of the Holy Spirit in us, God reproduces His goodness in our hearts, and it shows in our lives. This goodness empowers us to live lives characterized by the desire to act righteously and for the practical benefit of others. As others see the work of God in us, they will “give glory to your Father who is in heaven”
Matthew 5:1616 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
To be filled with goodness is to live a life of doing good things for others
Matthew 7:17-18
17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.
Luke 6:45
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
“Good” here has the taste of righteousness in it.
To do a good deed is to treat others justly and also to endorse virtue. Luke 10:42
42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."
It is righteous and beneficial to spend time with Jesus and learn from Him.
When Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus instead of helping Martha in the kitchen, she was commended for doing something good.Luke 19:17
17 "ÔÇÿWell done!' the king exclaimed. ÔÇÿYou are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.'It is good to be faithful with the blessings God has given us. Being a faithful steward is called “good.”
Luke 6:2727 "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.When wronged, we still do good to those who wrong us; we do not seek revenge or return in kind. Just as a cup of water will spill water when bumped, a believer who is filled with the Spirit will spill goodness when pushed.We cannot be good on our own. Goodness is defined by God, and, as Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone” Mark 10:1818 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked. "Only God is truly good.
Goodness cannot come from human effort. Even Paul, a Pharisee of the strictest order, could not force every part of his person to embody goodness.
Romans 7:18-1918 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. (Greek my flesh) I want to do what is right, but I can't. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.Romans 12:2121 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.Goodness will overcome evil. Our expressions of goodness can diminish or cancel out the effects of evil in the world.
Our good works were ordained by God. The natural extension of faith in Christ is good works in Christ’s name.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Philippians 1:6
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.God grows goodness in us, and He will not stop until we are good through and through.
When we see Jesus, we will be “like Him,” fully characterized by goodness
1 John 3:2
2 Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
Studying Scripture promotes goodness within us. God inspired the Scriptures so that we can be completely equipped “for every good work.”2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Are you suffering an internal spiritual war? If so, that’s a good sign. It’s a sign that you are pursuing goodness, which causes the badness of human nature to fight back.
Yes, according to the Bible, badness comes naturally,goodness does not.
Romans:8:77 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will.But God has a wondrous plan to radically transform our character!
Though our natural inclination is to defy God in sin, He has determined to help us overcome that nature to live a life of righteousness and goodness. This is possible only through a relationship with Him. As the apostle John explained,
3 John 11
11 Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.
John also explained that those who truly are of God have God living in them through the Holy Spirit: “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit”1 John:4:13If we allow Gods light to shine through us we will bare the fruit of goodness
Ephesians:5:9
9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Biblical goodness describes what one does and what one is .
We must be doing good
Jesus wants us to “bear much fruit”we are recognised as His disciples
John:15:8
8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Being fruitful requires action -knowing the right thing to do and then doing it. James1:22
22 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.We must be doers of the word, simply abstaining from evil and doing nothing is not good enough.
Jesus went about doing good. We should too!
Acts10:38
38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
It takes courage to obey God, because it often brings persecution:
1 Peter2:20;
20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
Jesus said to do good to everyone, even our enemies!Luke6:27-28
27 "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
Later He said we should not only do good to those that that are good to us. Doing good to someone who does good to you, Jesus points out, is not pure goodness. It is rather two people exchanging favours, which can be at least partly selfish.
Luke 6:32-33 32 "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!
God’s standard is the very highest!
Here is an inspiring passage to remember:
Galatians 6:9-10
9 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.
In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, he wrote,
Romans15:1414 I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them.
May you likewise pursue spiritual growth so that one day it will be said of you: You are full of goodness .
People speak of a life of comfort and affluence as “the good life.” But living a life close to God with all the great benefits He offers is the truly good life! Allow God to cultivate in you the good fruit of goodness. And that will lead to the gift of eternal life! That’s as good as it gets!
Theseventh characteristic is"Faithfulness",
Fruit of the Holy Spirit 7 –FaithfulnessFaithfulness is steadfastness, constancy, or allegiance; it is carefulness in keeping what we are entrusted with; it is the conviction that the Scriptures accurately reflect reality.
To be faithful is to be reliable and unwavering, and the Bible speaks of this type of faithfulness in four ways:
As an attribute of GodAs a positive characteristic of some menAs a characteristic that many men lackAnd as a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical faithfulness requires belief in what the Bible says about God-His existence, His works, and His character.
Faithfulness no 7 of the fruit of the Spirit; it is the result of the Spirit working in us.
But the Spirit is also our seal of faithfulness.
He is our witness to God’s promise that if we accept the truth about God, He will save us.Faithfulis also used in the sense of "believing," as in the case of the Christians in Ephesus and Colossae
Ephesians 1:1This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God's holy people in Ephesus,[a] who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.1Colossians 1:22 We are writing to God's holy people in the city of Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ.May God our Father give you grace and peace.Scripture speaks often of God's faithfulness. Over and over we learn that when God says He will do something, He does it (even when it seems impossible).
When He says something will happen, it happens.
This is true for the past, the present and the future. If this were not the case – if God were unfaithful even once – He would not be God, and we could not rely on any of His promises. But as it is,
1 Kings 8:56
56 "Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses.
God is eternally reliable, steadfast, and unwavering because faithfulness is one of His inherent attributes. God does not have to work at being faithful; He isfaithful. Faithfulness is an essential part of who He is
Psalm 89:8
8 O Lord God of Heaven's Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.
Hebrews 13:8
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.In His faithfulness, God protects us from evil2 Thessalonians 3:33 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
He sets limits on our temptations1 Corinthians 10:13
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
He forgives us of sin
1 John 1:9
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
He sanctifiesus
1 Corinthians 1:9
9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Philippians 1:6
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
When a person walks consistently with God, in humble service to Him, he or she can be called "faithful."
When Nehemiah had to leave Jerusalem to return to Persia, he put Hanani and Hananiah in charge.
The reason for his choice of these men was that they were "more faithful and God-fearing . . . than many"
Nehemiah 7:2
2 I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
Nehemiah needed men of character whom he could trust.
Men who would not take bribes, who were committed to the welfare of the people, and who would uphold the integrity of the office.
Notice, also, that faithfulness is associated with fearing God.
The better we truly know God, the more we will want to imitate Him
Ephesians 5:1
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Other examples of faithfulness include Tychicus or Epaphras Not much is known about them, for example.
TychicusEphesians 6:21
21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's work.
EpaphrasColossians 1:7
7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf.[a]
OnesimusColossians 4:99 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that's happening here.
Hebrews 11 is often called “The Roll Call of the Saints.”
It is a list of Old Testament characters who knew God and trusted They steadfastly believed His promises.
MosesHebrews 3:2
2 For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God's entire[a] house.Moses trusted God that his service would bring Israel to the Promised Land, but he never lived to see God’s people become a settled nation.
Some of the names included in this "faithful list" are unfamiliar to most people.
Joseph had faith that the Israelites would escape Egypt and return to the Promised Land, but that didn’t occur until four hundred years after his death.
Abel’s understanding of God made his sacrifice real and authentic.
Noah trusted God’s word about the coming judgment as well as God’s promise to save his family (Genesis 6-9).
Abraham and Sarah believed against all evidence that they would have a child. Abraham never saw his descendants become "as numerous as the stars in the sky."
We don't have time to examine all characters , so lets just look at Abraham and Sarah .When God predicts that He will cause a son to be born to a husband and wife who are nearly one hundred years old, more than just His power is in question. His credibility is likewise at stake. Is He reliable? Is He trustworthy? Can we expect Him to do what He says He will do? When that promise was made to Abraham, he literally fell on his face and laughed
Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself, "Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"
Abraham had not yet fully come to believe that God's Word could be trusted. And neither had Sarah, his wife. When she heard the same promise, she too laughed
Genesis18:12 So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "After I am worn out will I have pleasure, especially when my husband is old too?"
Her faith had not grown beyond the example she observed in her husband.
The narrative in Genesis does not record specifically when it happened, but at some point in their walk with God, both Abraham and Sarah became convinced that God would do what He promised to do. The Apostle Paul told us about Abraham: Romans 4:19-21"And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform".
The writer to the Hebrews tells us the story from Sarah's perspective: Hebrews 11:11 "By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised".
She not only believed that God could give her a son, but also that He would because He is a faithful God.
His Word is reliable and His promises are trustworthy.
The faith of Abraham and Sarah was not misplaced. Genesis 21:1-2
"Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him" It happened just exactly as God said it would and when He said it would. God is truly faithful.
Rahab trusted God to protect her family when the Israelites destroyed Jericho (Joshua 6).
Gideon’s mustard-seed faith routed an entire army (Judges 6-7).In that list in Hebrews 11is the example of Enoch, who “obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He will reward those who seek Him” (vs. 5b-6). Enoch understood that God rewards those who seek Him and trust Him with all their hearts.None of these figures saw God’s promises completely fulfilled. Abraham and Sarah were able to witness the birth of Isaac, but neither lived long enough to see their line become a mighty nation. We trust what God does because we trust Him, not the other way around.
In other words, we trust God even when He is silent and we see no miracles. That is part of faithfulness. We know God is reliable, steadfast, and true.
Faith, or a faithful commitment to who God says He is, is basic to walking with God. As Jesus traveled, He responded to people’s faith and reduced His involvement where there was no faith
Mark 6:1-6Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
6 Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. 2 The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, "Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?" 3 Then they scoffed, "He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary[a] and the brother of James, Joseph,[] Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.4 Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." 5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.The Old Testament saints also had faith in the invisible work of God Hebrews 11:33 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.And none of the Old Testament saints lived to see their Messiah.
But they were faithful. They believed God would do as He promised.
They lived by faith and not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:77 For we live by believing and not by seeing.Faithfulness is believing that God is who He says He is and continuing in that belief despite the unpredictable changes of life.
Practicalyl, that means we trust what God says in the Bible, and not necessarily what the world or our own eyes tell us.
We trust that God will work out everything for good.
We trust that He will work His will in us.
And we trust that our situation on earth is nothing compared to our future reward in heaven.
The only way we can have such faith is by the Holy Spirit’s influence. He testifies to the truth and impels us to seek God.
But we should be faithful, even in small matters, God sees that and we will be rewarded in the end
Luke 19:1717 "ÔÇÿWell done!' the king exclaimed. ÔÇÿYou are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.'The Bible also warns us of the consequences of unfaithfulness. These warnings are necessary because, as the old hymn says, we are "prone to wander . . . prone to leave the God I love."
Our hearts are too often found fickle, despite our best intentions
Proverbs 20:66 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
Jeremiah 17:99 "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
Matthew 26:75
75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me. " And he went away, weeping bitterly.Faithfulness affects every relationship we have.
The Bible says it is a gift from God.
When we receive Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us and brings the blessings of love, joy, peace and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).
The fullness of these blessings depends on walking with God and yielding to His Spirit.
We should be faithful to read and abide by God's Word and to seek the Lord in prayer
Psalm 1:1-2
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
Ephesians 6:18
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[a]
The Old Testament taught that "the just will live by faith"
Habakkuk 2:4
4 "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.[a]
and that truth is quoted, amplified and illuminated three times in the New Testament.
We obtain that faith, and our faithfulness, by the grace of God.
He is faithful to His children, and by His grace we will one day hear the words,
Matthew 25:23
23 "The master said, ÔÇÿWell done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'
Faithfulness has two different meanings.If we mean the faithfulness of God or Jesus, as we mentioned earlier, it refers to His steadfastness, honesty, firmness, and God’s utter dependability based on His unchanging character. If we mean human faithfulness, it refers to our steady allegiance to God and our trust in Him. A “faithful” man is “full of faith”; he believes in the reality of God as revealed in Scripture.Faithfulness is created within us when we allow the Spirit to work in us. Not only does the Spirit induce us to be faithful, He explains why we should be faithful.
John 16:13-14
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.
The Spirit discloses Jesus’ character to the world.
1John 5:6-7 says the Spirit testifies that Jesus is the Savior.
6 And Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross[a]-not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. 7 So we have these three witnesses[]–
And Scripture says that the Spirit bears witness to salvation.Hebrews 10:15 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is soIf we are full of faithfulness, we believe God; we trust that He always has our best interests at heart.
We trust that we are ultimately safe.
We believe that He loves us John 3:1616 "For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
He wants to be with us John 14:2
2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[]
He is powerful enough to save us John 14:6
6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
He is working in us Philippians 1:6
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
And we live with the confidence that we will receive God’s promised blessings, even if we never see them in this lifetime.Faithfulness is necessary when God’s promises seem to completely contradict what we see.
When God’s ways are hidden from usIsaiah 45:1515 Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, you work in mysterious ways.When evil strikes, then hardships come one after another-that’s when we need the Spirit to produce His fruit of faithfulness in us.Faith is the opposite of fear.
Faith protects us from fear, and fear erodes faith.Ephesians 6:13-17 lists the armor of God13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[a] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith tostop the fiery arrows of the devil.[] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Faith, “in addition to all,” is the shield.
If our shield of faith is strong enough to put out all the flaming arrows of the enemy, we are spiritually invulnerable.Mark 4:35-41 tells the story of Jesus calming the storm.
35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
After being roused by the terrified disciples, Jesus stopped the wind and the waves and said, v. 40“Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
We are used to being told that trials bring about spiritual growth. Here’s another side of things: it wasn’t that Jesus was intentionally using a fierce storm to grow the disciples’ faith; it’s that He didn’t even consider the situation worth mentioning.
The disciples feared because they had no faith.
Their faith would eventually grow to the point where imprisonment became an opportunity for a praise serviceActs 16:22-2522 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Faith in God means not fearing worldly troubles, not just because God’s sovereign will is for our benefit, but because God's Word tells us in Philippians 3:8
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
The Bible has much to say about the gift of faith:“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23b). Whatever actions are not informed by God’s identity and character and not driven by trust in Him must be sin.Hebrews 11:1“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”Hope is “the eager anticipation of good.”
A faithful person knows God and trusts that He will fulfill His promises-those things he hopes for but are still unseen.Galatians 3:11
“The righteous shall live by faith”
The fruit of Spirit gives us life; we don’t simply endure-we live by faith.God is faithful, and He grants that quality to His children.The Holy Spirit produces in believers His faithfulness. As a result, we believe God is Who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. His faithful character directly affects our lives. We have nothing to fear as we wait for Him to fulfill His promises. This assurance is a fruit of the Spirit.
The Explanation of God's Faithfulness
The Old Testament word for faithfulness is related to the word for truth. They both come from the same root which means "firmness" or "stability." Faithfulness actually grows out of truth. What is true must also be trustworthy. Even a pagan soothsayer named Balaam had to admit that the God who tells the truth will also keep His Word. He said to the king of Moab,
God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it happen?
Since God cannot lie, we can count on Him to do exactly what He promised-to be perfectly reliable, always steady and stable, never fickle or indecisive.
That is His faithfulness. His Word is infallible and unfailing. Since it is without error, it will surely come to pass.
It is interesting to note how often faithfulness and truth are used together in Scripture. For example, Isaiah said, Isaiah 25:1"Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth".
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
The Apostle John also said that God's words are "faithful and true"Revelation 21:5, 22:6. He said that Jesus Christ, the living Word in flesh, is "the faithful and true Witness"
and that at His return to the earth He will actually bear the title, "Faithful and True"Revelation 19:11.
[ The Rider on the White Horse ] Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly andwages a righteous war.
All of God's attributes operate in conjunction, never in isolation.
If everything about Him is true, then He has no alternative but to be faithful.
We sometimes go back on our word because we are unable to do what we intended to do, such as when we have been hindered by a storm from taking our children on a picnic we promised them.
But God is omnipotent. He can do anything He pleases, even control the weather. He has no reason to be unfaithful.
We may also be unfaithful because we are influenced by others.
For instance, a wife may have promised her husband that she would prepare his favorite dish for dinner.
But some friend, whose acceptance and friendship she desires, have invited her for coffee.
She lost track of time and it was too late to keep her word.
But God is totally self-sufficient. He does not need anyone else's approval to meet His needs. He is His own reason for everything He does.
We may fail to keep our word because we lose interest.
God never loses interest. He is immutable. He never changes His mind.
We may not follow through because it no longer suits our selfish purposes.
But God is love; He acts for the good of others rather than for His own selfish interests.
Scripture praises God's faithfulness. The Psalmist said it surrounds Him
Psalm 125:2
Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lordsurrounds his people, both now and forever.
Psalm 89:88 O Lord God of Heaven's Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.
Moses assured the people of Israel that because God is faithful He could be expected to keep His covenant and carry out His promises Deuteronomy 7:9
9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
He has done exactly that. For example, He gave them the land He promised them, He gave them victory over their enemies, and He gave them rest from their conflicts just as He said He would. "Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass"(Joshua 21:45).
That is the essence of God's faithfulness.
God's faithfulness to His covenant promises is assured even if His people forsake His law, refuse to walk in His judgments, violate His statutes, and break His commandments
Psalm 89:30, 37
30 But if his descendants forsake my instructions and fail to obey my regulations,…..37 It will be as eternal as the moon, my faithful witness in the sky!"
Although He will discipline them, He will not violate His covenant, alter the utterance of His lips or, as He says, "deal falsely in My faithfulness" (Psalm 89:33).
He can be counted on to do what He promises.God's faithfulness is unlimited
Psalm 36:5
Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
The Psalmist went so far as to say,Psalm 119:89-90
89 Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.
Because God has spoken in truth and His word is sure, every generation can count on what He has said.
No wonder Jeremiah exclaimed with joy,Lamentations 3:23
"Great is thy faithfulness"
The Extent of God's Faithfulness
Since God's faithfulness is part of His essence, it affects everything He says and everything He does. Several specific applications of His faithfulness are made in the New Testament.
First of all, He is faithful in assuring our salvation. The spiritual lives of the Corinthian Christians left much to be desired, but Paul commends them for "awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord"1 Corinthians 1:7-9.
Paul is confident that the Lord will make them steadfast and preserve them from falling away, right up to the moment they enter His presence. That confidence does not rest in the strength or ability of the Corinthians, but in the faithfulness of God. If He promised eternal life to those who receive His Son, then He will deliver what He promised. He will never allow them to perish.
A similar assurance is expressed about the Thessalonians:
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. Paul longs to see every one of them standing before the throne of God, wholly set apart unto the Lord, perfectly pure and blameless. He is confident that they will, not because they have the innate power to make themselves holy, but because the One who called them is faithful. God promised to glorify every person He called and justified-every one without exception Romans 8:29-30
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn[a] among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.God does what He says He is going to do.
What a satisfying assurance! Once we have acknowledged our sin and trusted Christ as our Savior, there is no need ever again to worry and fret over our eternal destiny.
Our faithful God confirms us in Him forever, and with that issue eternally settled, we can give our attention to growing in our knowledge of Him.
I have talked to people who have struggled for years about the assurance of their salvation. They have been perpetually preoccupied with whether or not they really are saved, and this has hindered them from growing in God's grace.
They will not graduate from that plateau until they take God at His Word and realize their salvation is settled forever. It is like a marriage in which the wife is asking herself, "Does my husband really love me?
Is he really committed to this marriage?"
As long as those doubts persist, she will never be free to grow in her relationship with her husband. Similar doubts keep us from growing in our relationship with the Lord. Acts 16:31"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved"
A faithful God will do what He promises. He will save you when you trust His Son. You can count on it, because He is faithful.
Secondly, He is faithful in providing for our victory. God wants us to enjoy victory over sin and triumph through trials, but He has not left us on our own to achieve it. He offers us help.
1 Corinthians 10:13
"13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."
The word temptation may refer either to a trial from God who seeks to purify and strengthen us, or a solicitation to sin from Satan who seeks to destroy us. In either case, God promises to protect us from more than we can bear and to provide with every temptation or testing a way of escape. His faithfulness guarantees it.
The term way of escape was used of a narrow mountain pass through which a trapped army might escape an impossible situation. God always has an escape available when temptation strikes. When we yield to temptation, it is because we have ignored His provision and refused to take His way out. In the case of trials, the way of escape may simply be the strength to endure, but it will be there. We can count on it. A God who never fails to keep His Word has promised it.
A similar promise was made to the Thessalonians:
2Thessalonians 3:3"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one". God promised to guard them against Satan's attacks by strengthening them, strengthening their faith, and providing the support they required. When I have give in to temptation, it has not been because God failed to keep His Word, but because I chose at that moment to ignore what He had made available.
The mountain pass to freedom was in sight, but I closed my eyes to it and walked headlong into Satan's trap. God's strength was accessible, but I chose to handle the situation myself.
God has been faithful to His promise. He has given us His Spirit to live in us and help us, and He is the Spirit of power.
He has equipped us with His Word which sets Satan on his heels. He is continually available for communication through prayer. He has created us with a human will by which we may choose to flee from the enticement to sin
1 Corinthians 6:18
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
1 Corinthians 10:14
14 So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.
1 Timothy 6:11
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
2 Timothy 2:22
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
When we step out by faith to obey Him, He meets us there with His strength. These are resources which He has faithfully provided, and when we use them we enjoy His victory.
In the third place, He is faithful in forgiving our sins. Unfortunately, most of us only use God's resources for victory intermittently, and as a result we sin.
But God's faithfulness reaches us even then.
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"
In that verse our sins are viewed both as a debt that needs to be forgiven and as a stain that needs to be cleansed. We can enjoy blessing in both of these circumstances, when we acknowledge our sins to God, when we agree with Him that they are vile and repulsive, an offense to His holy nature.
God forgives us on the basis of two aspects of His character. One is His righteousness or justice.
He has already punished His Son in our place, so justice has been served and He now has no reason to withhold forgiveness.
The second is His faithfulness. When He looked ahead to Israel's new covenant nearly six hundred years before Christ, He said,
Jeremiah 31:34
"I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more"We share in the benefits of that new covenant2 Corinthians 3:6
6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
Though our sins seem so horrible that God could never be expected to forgive them, He says He will, and He is always faithful to His Word. Confess your sins to Him, then take Him at His Word.
Believe that He has forgiven you and cleansed you from all unrighteousness.
Finally, God is faithful in sustaining us through suffering.
One of the times we are most tempted to doubt God's faithfulness is when suffering strikes our lives.
It often makes no sense to us and we see no reason for it. We may search our lives, and although we find some sins which we have previously overlooked, we still cannot believe we deserve what God has allowed to happen to us. We begin to think that He has forgotten us or really does not care about us.
The people of Jerusalem in Isaiah's day were beginning to think that way. Israel was a tiny nation surrounded by giant powers which were continually threatening her. Listen to her complaint:
Isaiah 49:14
14 Yet Jerusalem[a] says, "The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us."
But the Lord was right there with words of encouragement.
Isaiah 49:15-16
15 "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins.
He had allowed them to suffer, but He could never forget them in their suffering because He is faithful. And He does not forget us. He really does care.
How can we appropriate this great doctrine of God's faithfulness and enjoy calmness and contentment when hard times come? The only way is to do what Peter suggested:
1 Peter 4:19
19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
As the Creator, God has the power to carry out His perfect plan for our lives and to accomplish His perfect purposes through our suffering. And as the faithful Creator, He can be counted on to do it. Therefore we can consciously entrust ourselves to His care with complete confidence, and hand the safekeeping of our lives over to Him, believing that He will do what is best.
When we do that, we will have peace in the midst of adversity.
I recently met a successful salesman who was struck totally blind at the age of forty-four.
Not only was his sales ability hindered but his enjoyment of sports and his capacity to appreciate the great outdoors seemed to be terminated. His anger with God was intense.
On one occasion he laid on the floor and cried, begging God to take his life and threatening to commit suicide. It seemed as though God said to him, "Donald, trust Me. I have a great plan for your life." But still the resentment lingered.
A short time later he insisted on going for a walk. When no one in the house was free to take him, he angrily fumbled around and found his cane, located the front door, and against his wife's protests made his way down the front steps and across the yard, determined to prove something to himself and his family.
He crossed the road, and in a state of disorientation accidentally stumbled into a stream.
As he sat there waist deep in the water, it seemed as though God was saying, "Are you cooled down now, Donald?
Trust me. I have a great plan for your life." That was the moment he entrusted himself to his faithful Creator. A few years later he was serving the Lord effectively as a representative for a mission to the blind, finding more joy and satisfaction in his Christian life than he had ever known before. God is faithful in sustaining us through suffering.
The Encouragement of God's Faithfulness
God will not only be faithful in assuring our salvation, providing for our victory, forgiving our sins, and sustaining us through suffering, but He will also be faithful in keeping every promise He has ever made.
That is the greatest encouragement we could possibly have. The Bible contains thousands of precious promises from God, and at least one of them will have application to every conceivable situation we can possibly encounter-financial reversal, terminal illness, the loss of a loved one, family tensions, or anything else.
A faithful God can be trusted to keep every promise. The writer to the Hebrews encouraged his readers with these words:
Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
After assuring the Corinthians of God's faithfulness, Paul makes this astounding statement:
2 Corinthians 1:20
20 For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory.
The words "inChrist" is the absolute certainty that all God's promises will be fulfilled. A God who loves us enough to give us His Son will certainly keep all His other promises as well.
Christ's coming was as though God had written beside every promise in the Bible, "Yes, so be it, I will keep My Word." When we believe His promises, our lives bring glory to Him-as Paul said, "to the glory of God through us."
People in the world today are fed up with empty religious claims. They want to see something that does what it says it will do.
Few things give evidence to the reality of life in Christ more powerfully than a believer who exhibits genuine peace in trying circumstances.
That is the by-product of knowing a faithful God and believing His promises. When we are assured that He cares because He is loving and good; when we are convinced that He is in control because He is omnipotent; when we believe that He is with us and knows all about the problem because He is omnipresent and omniscient; when we believe that He is working everything together for good because He is sovereign and wise; then we will have peace when things around us are falling apart. And that will make a powerful impact on the world.
It is important to understand that some of God's promises are conditional.
If we fail to keep the conditions, and as a result God does not fulfill the promise, does not mean we have to doubt His faithfulness. We must study the context to see if there are any conditions stated or implied.
Many other promises in the Word are absolute and unconditional. God is going to keep them whether we believe He will or not. He will fulfill His Word whether we are faithful to Him or not.
The Apostle Paul said,
2 Timothy 2:13
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
To be unfaithful may also mean to be unbelieving. When God's promises are unconditional, neither our faithlessness nor our unbelief will affect His faithfulness. They will rob us of our peace, our joy, and our testimony, but He will just keep right on doing what He promised to do, keep right on being faithful to His Word. What a wonderfully faithful God! Believe Him. Experience the peace, the joy, and the power which faith in His Word will bring. Then you too will exclaim enthusiastically, "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
Action To Take:
Think back to a time in your life when you doubted God's faithfulness. Now list the ways He has since proven Himself faithful, the things He has done which He promised in His Word He would do.Theeigth characteristic is"Gentleness",
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit No 8– GentlenessEphesians 4:14-16 says that the Holy Spirit works in us to be more like Christ and part of the fruit, or results, of that work is gentleness. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching.
We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does not mean weakness.
Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others.
The opposites of gentleness are …anger, a desire for revenge, and stretching the truth about one's accomplishments to win favor. It's a pattern of pompous behavior, boasting, Having your portrait painted was once a mark of the upper crust.The Greek words for “gentleness” and “meekness” are somewhat interwoven in English translations.
Prates', the Greek word translated “gentleness” in Galatians 5:23 , means “to submit one’s strength in a posture of meekness.”
It is to calmly accept God’s judgment regarding a situation, even if that judgment results in personal hardship. It is humility toward God. Prautesistranslated eight times as “gentleness” and once each as “consideration,” “humility,” and “meekness.”
Epieikeia is also translated as “gentleness” or “kindness.”
It refers to the kindly grace that God exhibits when He helps those who don’t deserve it (all of us), bringing to mind Jesus’ parable in Matthew 18:23-35 about the king who forgave a great debt.It takes a strong person to be truly gentle. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow gives us a wonderful illustration of gentleness in "The Village Blacksmith."
In the poem, the main character is described :"The smith, a mighty man is he,With large and sinewy hands;And the muscles of his brawny armsAre strong as iron bands."However, in church, as he hears his daughter singing a hymn, the smith is overcome with emotion, "And with his hard, rough hand he wipes / A tear out of his eyes."
This is gentleness. Might restrained. Humility and grace.God wants us to give Him control of our lives. Relying on our own logic, we tend to have no desire to submit to God’s leadership.
With the wisdom given to us by the Holy Spirit, however, we begin to see why we should completely submit to God as Lord of our lives.
Human power under human control is like a half-broken weapon in the hands of a child.
But gentleness places our strength under God’s guidance; it is a powerful tool for God’s kingdom.Every person is powerful.
We can speak words that influence others;
We can act in ways that help or hurt others; We can choose what influences will inform our words and actions. Gentleness constrains and channels that power.
To be gentle is to recognize that God’s ways and thoughts are high above our own
Isaiah 55:9
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
It is to humbly realize that our worldviews are shaped by exposure to sin and the misinterpretation of experience.
It is to accept God’s worldview, reflecting truth about the spiritual and the material worlds.It is to our advantage to have a gentle attitude toward God because He is omniscient and we are not.
Job 38:4
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” God challenges Job. “Tell Me, if you know so much” God knows everything of the past, present, and future 1 John 3:20
20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.We can’t even get the weather forecast right.
Like a short-tempered teenager to his parents, we may cry out,
“You just don’t understand!” but God does understand, more than we could possibly know
Psalm 44:21
21 God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart.When we are filled with the Spirit's fruit of gentleness, we will correct others with easiness instead of arguing in resentment and anger, knowing that their salvation is far more important than our pride
2 Timothy 2:24-25
24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth.
We will forgive readily, because any offense toward us is nothing compared to our offenses against God-offenses He’s already forgiven
Matthew 18:23-35
23 "Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars.[a] 25 He couldn't pay, so his master ordered that he be sold-along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned-to pay the debt.
26 "But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ÔÇÿPlease, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.' 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
28 "But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars.[] He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
29 "His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ÔÇÿBe patient with me, and I will pay it,' he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn't wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
31 "When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ÔÇÿYou evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me.33 Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
35 "That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters[c] from your heart."Competition and sectarianism will disappear, as the goal becomes less about ourselves and more about preaching the gospelPhilippians 1:15-1815 It's true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
John the Baptist was a fiery preacher, yet he demonstrated true gentleness when he said, John 3:3030 He (meaning Jesus) must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.Gentleness also means giving up the right to judge what is best for us and others.
God is not as concerned with our comfort as He is concerned with our spiritual growth, and He knows how to grow us far better than we do.
He will not sacrifice our holiness for our happiness
Gentleness means that we accept that the rain falls on the evil and the just and that God may use methods we don’t like to reach our hearts and the hearts of others.Galatians 6:1
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godlyshould gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
So, to live in a spirit of gentleness toward God is to accept His judgment on people and issues. We tend to think it is gentle to go easy on people and try to justify actions that God has called sin. Or to let someone continue in sin without speaking the truth.
But Paul says, “If anyone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness”
This does not mean that it should be so soft that the sinner doesn’t realize that he’s sinned. It means to confront the brother in a manner that is in line with Scripture-to be mild, loving, encouraging, and clear about the holiness that God calls us to.Just like all the fruits of the Spirit, the perfect example of gentleness is Jesus. Matthew 21:5"See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey" and now He offers us His gentleness as a gift. If we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will be filled with fruit of gentleness.
Lets look at more examples of the gentleness in JesusJohn 8:1-11Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?"
11 "No, Lord," she said.
And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."
Wow. Wasn't that a beautiful gentle answer? Jesus didn't scold the Pharisees. He didn't yell at the woman because of her sin. He was gentle with both.We could say that Jesus even had the right to be harsh with both the Pharisees and the woman. But He gave a gentle answer, and His gentle answer changed all of their hearts!Gentleness that should be in us
If Jesus' gentle Spirit lives in us, then how should we speak to other people? Gently! No matter who we are talking to, we should use gentle speech.
You should know that even though someone may look pretty tough on the outside, we are all tender and fragile
Speak softly – without raising your voice or shouting.
What does it mean to speak slowly? Did you know there is a Bible verse about this?
James 1:19 says
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
That means really listen to what the other person is saying.
Slow down and think before you speak so you won't say something that you shouldn't.
Speak carefully – with care. Do your words show that you care about the other person? Think before you speak – especially when you are frustrated or angry.
It is far better not to say anything than to say something that is harsh or mean.
Remember Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger." Use your words to turn anger away. Use your words to compliment and encourage, to build each other up. Use your words so that 20 years from now, someone will have a story to tell about how your words affected their life in a very good way. Your words are powerful and they will last!
And as with all the fruits of the Spirit, you just have to hang out with Jesus for them to show in your life. Spend time reading His word. Pray to Him all throughout your day. Ask Him what you should say to others!
A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger.The point I am trying to make is, we ought to be gentle toward others with our words and actions.
Gentleness almost sounds like something we could do on our own.
Most mothers are gentle with their infants, caring for and nurturing them.
But biblical gentleness doesn’t mean acting in a tender and soft way, or even controlling physical strength for the benefit of another.
To be gentle is to have a humble heart and peaceful mind and to submit wholly to God’s plan.The gentleness in the New Testament is closely related to wisdom and spiritual growth. We have read inGalatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
2 Timothy 2:25
25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth.We are to submit our strength, including the strength of our convictions, to God’s wisdom.
We are to teach only God’s point of view, not our own.
And we are to accept that God’s actions toward ourselves and others are the right actions, even when human wisdom thinks otherwise. Another example to act gently and use gentleness is when we describe the way or try to correct or teach others.
1 Peter 3:1515 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.James 1:21 explains the gentle nature we are to have toward God: ” 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls..”
Sadly Scripture says that because we are human, that what is in us is filthy and wicked, no matter how clear our logic or how closely we try to reconcile our worldview with God’s.
Only God is good. We need to accept His word “in humility” (prautes) in order to be saved. We must be “like little children” to enter the Kingdom
Mark 10:15
15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
In addition, to be gentle is to accept the hardships He allows in our lives, considering them disciplinary measures proper for our spiritual development.
Gentleness is an inward grace that easily submits our own strength of will to God’s Lordship.Submission or “gentleness” toward God is actually a large piece of the puzzle when it comes to a question about heaven. Many want to know how believers could possibly be content in heaven knowing that loved ones are burning in hell.
An incident in David’s life may provide some insight.
In1 Chronicles 13:9-11, David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Judah on an ox cart.
9 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon,[a] the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark. 10 Then the Lord's anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.11 David was angry because the Lord's anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means "to burst out against Uzzah"), as it is still called today.
Once David read the instructions governing Ark transportation, however, he accepted that God’s judgment was just. In other words, David’s initial contention against God turned into godly gentleness.
In heaven, when we can finally submit our points of view to God’s (no matter how justified in our own eyes), we will accept His judgment on unbelievers as both appropriate and righteous.Gentleness is the spirit and attitude behind repentance. To “repent” in a biblical sense is to change one’s mind and believe that God is right. Repentance is necessary for salvation, and we need to carry an attitude of repentance in a gentle spirit our entire lives. God is right. Our point of view is limited, misguided, and self-seeking.
A gentle heart will accept God’s wisdom and yield to His discernment. We can only be gentle as the Holy Spirit develops spiritual fruit in our lives.Many men may draw back a bit from this fruit, the quality of gentleness.
However, Jesus was fully incarnated into a human flesh body – but this incarnation was done as a man – fully Man and fully God.
Since Jesus walked our earth as a man – the Son of Man – we must study His actions very carefully when we read the gospels and how He handled different types of people.
There were times that He would engage and set people straight, like He did with some of the Scribes and Pharisees.
But there were other times that He dealt with people very gently, with kindness and love.
His gentle way of handling some of these people is what really jumps out at you when you really study how He handled different types of people.
Again, Jesus is the perfect role model for all of us to study and learn from – especially with how He handled people while He was walking down here on our earth. For men in particular, His actions and behaviour towards others should be a major study for all of us and we should seek to pattern our own daily walk after Him.
And one of the divine qualities that He had operating in Him with great abundance was the quality of gentleness.
Gentleness is a major quality needed in our world today.
So many people have been beat up and hurt in their dealings with other people – that just a gentle word, a gentle touch from another Christian can really open up the door for that person to be able to receive Jesus and His healing, saving, and deliverance power into their lives.
Once you really start walking in the Holy Spirit with His divine fruits operating and flowing through you – you will really be able to feel and sense when you should handle a certain person or a certain type of situation with more of a touch of gentleness rather than with any kind of stern rebuke or condemnation.
There is a time for tough love – but there are also times that just a gentle and loving touch is all that is really needed to properly handle a certain situation.
The Holy Spirit will guide you in all of this. Just realize that the quality of gentleness is one of the 9 fruits of the Spirit, and this is one of the fruits that He would really like to get working into your personality, especially in being able to use it when dealing with and helping out others.
Here are some of the different definitions on the quality of gentleness:
Not only will other people love and gravitate towards you more if you learn how to walk in this quality – but you will be at much more peace with yourself since you won't always have to be fighting and striving with others when trying to help them out.
Thenineth characteristic is"Self- Control",
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit No 9- Self- Control
For the past several weeks, we have been studying all the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 . Can anyone tell me what this verse says?
Galatians 5:22-23. It lists the Fruit of the SpiritBut the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Despite the long list of attributes, “fruit” doesn’t refer to individual items. It refers to a general outcome or result. The result of the Holy Spirit working in a person’s life is love, joy, and all the rest. These fruits are not the product of hard work or self-improvement.
We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit, but it is still the Holy Spirit doing the work in us.
As we have seen, the Fruit of the Spirit grows in our lives when we are living with the Holy Spirit in us.
This week, we will study the last fruit, self-control. Self-control is actually listed last on Paul's list off the fruits of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatians, but that certainly doesn’t make it the least important.
If you do a search, you’ll find that the term is not often used in the Bible either, yet self-control is very important in helping us to make good choices , the choices that God would want us to make.
Our sinful flesh has a really hard time resisting the persistent tug of our sinful desires.
But! By practicing self-control, we can master those desires.
What is self-discipline?
When we practice control or restrain ourselves from all kinds of feelings, impulses, and desires, which includes the desire for physical and material comfort, then we’re practicing self-control.
Why is self-discipline so important?
Paul tells us to keep ourselves clean both physically and spiritually because we love God we would want to take care of what He has given us (that is, our bodies)
2 Corinthians 7:1Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.In his letter to the Romans, Paul tells them:
Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[] 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
You belong to God…….. take care of yourself.
It’s not easy…self-control is hard. It’s one of the hardest things for a believer to work on"I wish I had more self-control!" How many times have you heard someone say that-or said it yourself? Whether it's sticking with a diet an exercise program or knowing when to hold your tongue, most people feel they come up short in the self-control department.
Even the Bible is outspoken on its importance.
Proverbs 25:28
28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
So what is self-control?
The phrase seems to imply a hefty dose of sheer willpower.
The Greek word for self-control in Galatians 5:22-23 is "egkrateia" which means "temperance: the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites."
A lion tamer has control over a lion he can make the lion (which is naturally wild) do whatever he wants it to do. He can make the lion do something it doesn't want to do (like roll over), or keep the lion from doing something that it does want to do (like eating the man). Clearly, the man is in control of the lion.
Today we're talking about self-control.
With self-control, we control ourselves.
Paul talks about his own struggle with sin in
Romans 7:15-20:
“What I want to do I do not do…the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing…it is sin living in me that does it.”
We’ve all had to resist temptations at some point in our lives, and we’ve all given in at some point tooWe control our desires – our "wants". Through self-control, we keep ourselves from doing something bad that we shouldn't do, and we make ourselves do good things that we should do.
For Christians, without self-discipline, our appetites for comforts and pleasures can easily become our idols, mastering our decisions and purchases and the use of our time. Lack of self-control ultimately leads us into sin or otherwise gets in the way as we try to walk with God.
If your spiritual body does not govern your physical body, you could easily become a target for Satan
1 Corinthians 7:5
5 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
It's like running a race
Paul talks about self-discipline in his letter to the Corinthian church. The people living there would have been very familiar with the Greeks Olympic Games which took place right near the city of Corinth. They knew all about the severity of athletic training, especially if one wanted to win the “prize” or the “crown.”
Because of this cultural knowledge, Paul used this sporting event as a metaphor about living a disciplined Christian life:
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Paul is saying that it’s important to keep his body under the discipline and control of his mind, not the other way around.
Self-control is needed to win the “race” that will help us live a life that is holy and pleasing to God.
For Paul, the “race” was winning souls for Christ; a goal which he states four times in
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law,[a] I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
In what way is self-control a fruit of the Holy Spirit?
Self-control as a fruit of the Spirit is a bit of a paradox. How can the ability to control one be the result of being controlled by someone else? There is a (false) theory that humans do not have free will. It starts with materialism-the belief that all that exists in the universe is matter and energy. There is no God, soul, spirit, thought, or will. Everything we do is predetermined by influences beyond our control.Some of those influences are primarily internal, linked to our being such as:
1.A tall person will be less likely to wash dishes because he will have to stoop to reach the sinkOr some influences are external such as2. Someone who uses paper plates will be less likely to wash dishes because there are no dishes to wash. Most of these influences are tiny, yet they culminate to make behavior so complex that it appears random. To the casual observer, we are acting on our own will. But, if all factors could be known, our actions are determined by the interaction of our physical selves with the outside world.
Hence (according to the theory), there is no free will.But The Bible teaches that, in a certain sense, the unbeliever has no free will. There are influences beyond his control. Unbelievers are “Slaves to sin”
Romans 6:16-20
16 Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right
Our sinful nature “predetermines” us to choose selfish, harmful behaviors, and our fallen world aids the process.
Without Christ, we are not free to completely release our thoughts and actions from sinful influences by simply always choosing what is good.The Holy Spirit can help you in your struggle. He works in your life and you will be able to pull away from the cause of the sinful nature and make a truly independent choice. That is the first step of self-control.With the help of the Spirit you'll have a larger range of choices . Instead of choosing one sin over another, you will then make choices based on love for God and rooted in the wisdom of God.
Self-Control In Jesus
Once again, the perfect example of this fruit, self-control, is found in Jesus. Jesus is the one person who had perfect self-control His entire life. The Bible calls Jesus the one who "had no sin" which means He never sinned at all.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
The Bible says that Jesus was tempted to sin in every way that we are tempted, but He never sinned
Hebrews 4:15
15 This High Priest of ours (Jesus)understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Jesus not only had self-control to keep Himself from doing wrong things.
He had so much self-control that He was always able to the right things! He always did what God wanted Him to do, even when it was very, very difficult and painful. On the night that Jesus was arrested, before the soldiers came to take Him, He was on the Mount of Olives praying to God.
Jesus prayed,
Luke 22:42
42 "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
Jesus knew that He would go through terrible suffering when He was arrested and nailed to a cross. No one would want to suffer by hanging on a cross! But by His incredible self-control, Jesus chose to obey God's will rather than doing what He wanted to do.
Think about all the power that Jesus had. He had done so many miracles – He had healed the sick, created food to feed thousands, and cast out demons. He even raised people from the dead! Jesus could have stopped the soldiers and the people from nailing Him to that cross. He had all the power of God at His fingertips.
He could have easily stopped the people from crucifying Him
Matthew 26:53
53 Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands[a] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?
But He had the self-control to do exactly what God asked Him to do, even through all that pain and suffering.
Jesus trusted that God's plan was perfect. He wanted to save you and me from the punishment of our sin, so He willingly went to the cross. And after He did, God raised Him from the dead and now Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God
After Steven gave his speech and rebuked the Jewish leaders they dragged him out and stoned him and while he was dying
Acts 7:56
56 And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!"
Jesus always had the self-control to keep Himself from sinning, and to obey God.
The reason He had this amazing self-control was because He was full of the Holy Spirit, and He spent as much time as He could with His Father.
The more time we spend with God, the more good fruit God will grow in our lives – and Jesus had the most spiritual fruit of anyone.
Self-Control In Us
If we are tempted to do something how do we have that kind of control over our own thoughts and actions?
There are two ways to keep us from doing it.
Someone could stop you, or you could stop yourself. Or you can keep yourself from doing that thing? Self-control is when you control you, when you make yourself do the right thing.
Just like a lion naturally wants to prowl the jungle or roar at a human, our natural self (our sin nature) wants to do bad stuff sometimes.
What are some bad things that we are tempted to do sometimes?
Also, there are some good things that we should do, that our natural self just doesn't want to do. It takes self-control to do the right things that we are supposed to do.
The term "self-control" means no other person is doing it for us. But that doesn't mean that we have to do it on our own! God's Holy Spirit that lives inside of each believer is the One who is really giving us the power to have self-control. When we believe in Jesus, God's Spirit fills us – just like it filled Jesus
Luke 4:1
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,[a]
We can have self-control just like Jesus did when we depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us.
So no matter what is going on around us, we can keep from doing things that are wrong and instead do the things that are right.
God's grace teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful longings. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today’s world.
So how much self is there in self-control?
What's up to us, and what's up to God?
Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
For the grace of God…teaches us to say ÔÇÿNo' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives
Peter writes, 2 Peter 1:5-7"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; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love" .
Yet Scripture also tells us that self-control is a gift.
2 Timothy 1:7
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline,".
in this present age" . Since the grace of God is our instructor, it is imperative that we do well as students.
To learn takes attentiveness-and humility. We have to trust that our teacher knows more than we do.
We need to accept that perhaps the lessons aren't going to be entertaining, relaxing or humorous. They may not satisfy our obvious desires, but, rather, lead our hearts toward deeper ones.
Becoming a good student in the school of self-control requires listening with the intention of learning what's being taught. With the Psalmist we can pray,
Psalm 86:11
"Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name"
What does a person with good self-control look like?
Often it's easier to come up with a list of people who clearly lack self-discipline.
We all know someone whose struggles with:"the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life"
1 John 2:16
.16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Self-control grows when we pay attention to
Philippians 4:8
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Take a bit of time each day to meditate on these things.
A large part of self-control is about removing our focus on who we are now and refocusing our attention on who God wants us to become.
"Lead us not into temptation," we pray, as Jesus instructed. Those words come after we've said, "Your kingdom come, your will be done"Matthew 6:9-13
The order of the requests matters, because self-control depends on how much we put God in control of our lives.
The more we desire God's will, the easier it is to choose it.
No matter how hard we try, there will still be times when, like Paul, we lament that, "I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do" Romans 7:18-19
We will stumble and fall, and we will get up and refocus our eyes on the prize. Romans 13:12 tells us to"put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light"
Then we will pray to the Holy Spirit to renew the gift of self-control within us. And he will.
A decision made in the freedom of self-control will ensure future freedom. Whenever we follow unhealthy appetites or society’s lies, we limit our options in the future.
A sinful act is just another step down a dead-end road; the more steps we take, the harder it gets to make an independent choice in the future.
Remember that self-control is a gift from the Holy Spirit-not something we can muster up ourselves. It’s like the Holy Spirit is giving us a tool that we can use in our lives. That’s what the fruits of the Spirit are in Galatians 5:22-23.
They are gifts, not anything we can make happen on our own. It is the Holy Spirit living in our souls that gives Christians the power and ability to even begin to practice self-control so that we will not be overpowered by the “cravings of sinful man.”
As Paul said2 Timothy 1:7“God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” .
We should not allow ourselves to be controlled by our old sinful nature, but rather by the Holy Spirit instead
Romans 8:9
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness
Romans 8:26
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to stand firm in the face of temptation.
We've talked about many fruits of the Spirit, and the Bible tells us that there are even more. Don't ever think that you have to grow this fruit on your own! In fact, you can't grow it on your own!
Jesus said,
John 15:5"I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains joined to Me, and I to him, he will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without Me."
We should use our self-control to submit to Christ.
His word brings life. Christ allows us to be what we were designed to be, to display the glory we were created with.
His Spirit produces self-control in us, the ability to say “no” to fleshly lusts and live in moderation and wise self-control.
Indulging in sin enslaves and destroys us.
Self-control frees us to live for Christ.
When we believe in Jesus, we enter God's kingdom and God's Spirit comes to live in us.
The fruit of God's Spirit grows and grows in us as we remain with Jesus – as we talk to Him, listen to Him, and read His word. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control grows in us and shows in us because of our relationship with Jesus.