The Fruit of the Spirit
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Introduction
Introduction
One of the things that we as Christians strive for, or should at least be striving for is to live a life given over to God and empowered, led and really controlled by the Holy Spirit.
And we always talk about and hear about being filled with the Holy Spirit and manifesting the gifts of the Spirit, but one thing we don’t talk about as much is the actual Fruit of the Spirit and the importance of the manifestation of the Fruit in our everyday lives.
Particularly our lives OUTSIDE the church walls.
Face it, we can fake it while we are in here, but what happens when we are outside the church?
What happens when we are on our jobs, interacting with our family or friends, or just the person at Walmart?
Because that is our witness and it is in those times when we REALLY need the Holy Spirit to intercede in our lives and to be manifest through us.
Because remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7:22 . ..
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Why do you think Jesus said this?
Because it is real easy to go through the motions when things are going well, but what is our substance when it all goes downhill?
That is where it really matters.
And I think that this is why God led me to this passage and this teaching.
I really feel God is going to do some things this year and with that comes attack from the enemy.
And we have to be ready to fight the attack.
Which only comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, for my teaching debut—and I have not taught in a long time so I am a little rusty, we are going to spend some significant time over the next several weeks—don’t know how many, looking at the Fruit of the Spirit and their manifestation in our lives.
And one last thing before we get into this—Is anyone perfect in these?
I certainly am not—and quite honestly really want you all to pray for me and I will pray for you too about them.
And as we get into it—I really don’t know how comfortable everyone would be in even sharing which ones they struggle with, but sometimes it helps to verbalize them and get them out in the open, removing the enemies ability to isolate us and pull us apart.
So, that’s something we can think about.
Overview
Overview
So, starting out, can someone read Galatians 5:16-25 for us?
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Now, this is our key passage that we all know and love, but we have to look at this from an overall perspective of why Paul wrote the passage to begin with.
What was his point in telling the people this?
Was he just wanting to give them one of those golden nuggets of scripture?
Does anybody know the background that led to this passage?
It starts in Chapter 4 and continues through Chapter 5.
Somebody read Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
That verse summarizes the entire theme of Chapter 4 and gives the background into why we have Chapter 5.
Listen to what Paul tells us here to do.
First we are to Stand Fast-How do we do that?
Whenever I hear anything in the Bible about standing firm I always go back to Exodus 14:13. Can someone read that for us.
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.
And this is all in relation to the Israelites being right there at the Red Sea. The Egyptians are coming at them and they are freaking out, and who could blame them.
And then they are looking at the Red Sea with no way across.
They look to Moses and are scared out of their minds and God speaks this to them through Moses.
DO NOT BE AFRAID. STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.
And being totally honest—I need that reminder in my life all the time.
Satan tries to attack me in my mind and I begin to overthink and worry, WHICH IS NOT OF GOD which in turn robs me of both peace and joy-two of the fruit of the Spirit.
And others may be that way to—so be reminded that when there doesn’t seem to be a way, God will make a way.
When it seems like you can’t go forward, just stand still—don’t back up—just stand still and let God do God’s work.
Which is hard sometimes because for me anyway,
#1 I struggle with wanting to control the situation because if I can control the situation I can predict and control the outcome.
#2 I struggle with being patient because we have been conditioned to want and expect instant results all the time, which is not how God works because everything is dependent on God’s timing and not our own.
And the whole idea of standing fast in Galatians 5:1 is being firmly rooted and refusing to give an inch.
And Paul tells us we are to stand fast in the liberty (or freedom) by which Christ has made us free.
Our liberty and freedom in Christ not only sets us free from the bondage of sin and death but also from the bondage of Satan’s control and mind tricks too.
Because he is trying to destroy us by destroying our minds.
He is trying to rob us of the promises of God.
He is trying to instill fear because he has no real power.
And that is why the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives is just as important as Gifts of the Spirit.
And as we work through the passage and really start to determine how evident each of them are in our lives, which ones we are secure in and which ones we are not ; I think it will strengthen us as individuals and as a body as as whole.
Part One: Walking in the Spirit
Part One: Walking in the Spirit
So, we’ve already read the passage once, I want to read it again from The Message and listen, particularly the description of the works of the flesh.
Anybody have a Message Translation?
My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom. But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
Thoughts?
When you look at it in more of a modern translation/paraphrase it really brings out the meaning of the passage.
We typically equate the works of the flesh with what?
Mainly sexual sins with some other things sprinkled in there, but we are fixated on that and fixated on how those things are obviously seen by others.
However, at the root of it, some of the things are not so obvious to others, but when we really start to examine ourselves, they become more obvious to us.
There have been many times people have talked about being “good to go” because they don’t “do any of the things” that are considered “works of the flesh.”
But is that really true though?
When we examine our hearts, is that really the case for every single one?
And just because we may struggle in areas does that mean we are not filled with the Holy Spirit?
Does that mean we are not Christians?
No, it means we are not perfect and there is work in us that God has to do.
It also means that we need to step outside ourselves and look at things from a Godly perspective.
It also means that we need to be there for one another as well.
We need to be careful who we go to and rely on but we each need others to support us in a non-judgmental way with the things we struggle with.
Jumping ahead a bit, but somebody read Galatians 6:1-4
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Bear one another’s burdens.
Be there for each other.
Somebody read James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
What does that mean?
Now, this doesn’t mean stand up before the congregation and confess every thing you’ve ever done.
It means finding somebody you can trust and be you with.
Someone you can confide in that is not going to go blabbing everything and someone who will genuinely pray for you.
The Commentary I was reading says this: A mutual concern for the one another is the way to combat discouragement and downfall. The cure is in personal confession and prayerful concern. The healing is not necessarily bodily healing but healing of the soul.
In Romans 12:3, Paul also says that we are to not think more highly of ourselves than we are.
Don’t think you’ve got it all figured out.
Don’t think that the devil can’t attack you and drag you down.
When we start thinking that way, that is when we get into trouble.
So to combat this and FINALLY getting to the actual passage, Paul says . . .
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
The NIV says we are to live by the Spirit
The GNT says let the Spirit direct your lives
The Message says Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit
The Passion says we yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit
So, the million dollar question is, how do we do that?
Someone read James 4:7-10
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
#1-Submit fully to God.
#2-Actively resist (fight) the devil.
#3-Draw near to God—How? PRAYER AND FASTING
#4-Cleanse your hands-confess and turn from sin.
#5-Purify your hearts-Allow the Holy Spirit full access to your heart to purge and pluck it.
#6-Lament, mourn, and weep, laughter turned to mourning, joy to gloom—simply cry out to God (Romans 8:26)
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
What does this mean to you?
Pour out yourself completely to God—to the point that the Holy Spirit is plugged directly in. Allow yourself to be completely broken.
#7-Humble ourselves before God and allow Him to be glorified.
And that is a very tall order and frankly we cannot do it on our own.
We do not possess the power and the ability to do those things on our own.
It is only through the infilling and indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that it is even possible.
Someone read Ephesians 5:18
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
So many people think that this is optional, but being filled with Spirit is not optional.
If it were Paul would have said be filled with the Spirit, if you want to, or if you feel like it.
This is our lifeline to God and this is the first step in Spiritual Victory and Spiritual Growth.
But we have to want it.
We have to seek it.
We have to desire it.
And we have to submit our will to His will in order to receive it.
We have to offer something to God as well though.
Anybody know what that is?
Someone read Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We offer ourselves to God—fully, without condition.
We are the living sacrifice to God.
We allow God to transform us, by what?—The renewing of our minds.
And the Holy Spirit becomes an active force in our lives and be begin the journey of Walking in the Spirit.
But in order to continue the journey, we have to do what?
Cultivate and nurture the Holy Spirit.
How?
Prayer
Fasting
Obedience
Faithfulness
Studying and believing God’s Word
Trusting God
What others am I missing?
If we can do these things then we see the world in a different way.
We see things through our Spiritual eyes and not our fleshly eyes and the veil begins to be lifted and and the wants of the desires of the flesh begin to die down and be drown out by the pull of the Holy Spirit.
But we have to make the decision to do this every single day because it is a constant battle.
Someone read Galatians 5:17-18
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
What does this say to you?
Paul recognizes that we are all weak. He admits it in himself—Read Romans 7:15-25
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
And this is a Holy Spirit filled Apostle of God who is struggling at times.
And he recognizes that if left to his own devices and his own power, he will fail miserably, and so will we.
So, really to sum it up before we stop for tonight #1, we must first desire to Walk in the Spirit, and #2 we must be willing to submit fully to God in order to realize it.
Thoughts on anything we talked about tonight?
Works of the Flesh
Works of the Flesh