Know Your Tools Part 3 (C): The Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16–25 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

PATIENCE - long-suffering, calm

Romans 2:4 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Sometimes we could be tempted to take advantage of the kindness of God. For instance, we may think if we are tempted to sin, it is OK, I will repent later and God will forgive me. God’s kindness is not a license to sin, but to lead us to repent and change our heart and actions. This does not happen naturally but as a fruit of the Spirit. A very important tool in our tool box indeed.

KINDNESS

5544 χρηστότης (chrēstotēs) (slide)

This is being useful and providing something as an act of kindness. The opposite of this is described in

Romans 3:12 ESV

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

We could easily underestimate the value of kindness. We may never equate kindness with usefulness. This is a fruit of the spirit and a tool in our toolbox. Think about it. If we have a tool in our toolbox that is not useful, what do we do about it? We pitch it, do we not? It is imperative that we are useful. Our usefulness is visible in our kindness.

GOODNESS

19 ἀγαθωσύνη (agathōsynē)

2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

This goodness refers to generosity. Generosity is normally associated by money. This is not what it always the case. Generosity is also when we give of our time not just are finances. People come to a salvation knowledge of Jesus Christ because of the goodness of God. Let us make sure this tool is sharp.

FAITHFULNESS

4102 πίστις (pistis)

Believed to a complete trust.

Sure we say we have complete trust in God. But, when it comes down to it, most times we do not. This is a tool we realize. Here is an easy question to ask yourself if you really do have this tool well sharpened in your toolbox. If you feel God is leading you in a direction you do not want to go, do you find yourself debating or arguing with God about it? When you have a prayer need, do you tell God how He can answer it?

This tool fully sharpened would be Yes, Lord; not Why, Lord.

Mark 11:22 ESV

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.

GENTLENESS

Str 4236 πραότης (praotēs)

Another word is meekness.

James 1:21 ESV

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Avoids unnecessary harshness, yet without compromising or being too slow to use necessary force. This is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and never something humanly accomplished.

SELF-CONTROL

1466 ἐγκράτεια (egkrateia)

Dominion within.

We can only have dominion within because of the power of the Lord which is why this is called a fruit of the Spirit.

1 John 3:8 ESV

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

John 8:44 ESV

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Conclusion:

It is God’s will for us to live an overcoming life. A life full of freedom from sin and fulfillment in the riches of God’s mercy and grace. We are meant to have a powerful mind and a servants heart just like Jesus. These things are not natural. You were not born with them. These come from utilizing the tools we have been given. Maybe you have not used the tools correctly or not at all. Maybe you have not made Jesus your Lord and Saviour so these have not been a part of your life. Great news. Today is your day.

Jesus has already done the hard part and He makes it as easy as knowing your A, B, C’s.

A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.