FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL

3 UP. 3 OUT. 3 IN.

I have grouped this list of characteristics/virtues created in our lives by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in threes:

The first three are “upward” in the sense that they relate primarily to our relationship with God (love for, joy in, peace with) and yet they overflow into our relationships with others as we become people that love others, are joyful in our attitude and seek to be at peace with all people.

The second set of three are “outward” in the sense that they pertain to our relationships with others in that we are patient with, kind and good towards others and this flows from our experience of God’s patience with us and His kindness and goodness to us.

The third group of three can be described as being “inward” because they primarily have to do with how we relate to and think about ourselves. Like all the others, it is not that other people will not be impacted in some way or another by these virtues/characteristics in us but the way others are effected is a secondary result of they way we are handling and relating to ourselves.

Galatians 5:19–23 ESV

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.

The fact that these are inward speaks to the fact that being faithful, gentle and self-controlled are characteristics developed in us by the Holy Spirit that are not contingent upon any outward circumstance or situation. They are core virtues that guide our lives and reveal the path of godliness that we are pursuing by the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit. In other words, being faithful, gentle and self-controlled has absolutely nothing to do with anybody or anything else in life. They have to do with who we are and how we think about ourselves. Let’s dig in...

FAITHFULNESS.

GOD IS FAITHFUL. What does it mean to be faithful? It means pretty much what we all think that it means. Faithfulness describes a person that is honest and dependable. Faithfulness, like many of the other characteristics we have looked at, is one of God’s very attributes. As a matter of fact, it is, from our perspective, God’s greatest attribute because it means that He is faithful to what He has said that He would do apart from our faithfulness in return. Because God is faithful then we know Him to be truthful because to be faithful is to be truthful. It is in this area of God’s character that we know that God cannot lie and therefore we can depend upon everything He says. He keeps every promise. He fulfills every threat. The Bible, which is God’s Word, is an extension of His faithfulness. Since it is His Word, it must be true and dependable as well.

GOD MAKES US FAITHFUL. When we understand that at the foundation of faithfulness is truthfulness we realize that faithfulness is not necessarily a characteristic that defines the norm of doing life. Lies abound. Commitments are ignored. Responsibilities are abandoned. Vows are broken. This is the norm of the world and what we have grown to expect in the world around us. However, God has set us free from the broken norm of life and is creating in us new life that includes faithfulness. What does faithfulness look like for the Christian? I think faithfulness can be summed up in the words of Jesus found in...

Matthew 5:37 ESV

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

This is not only about being truthful but about being faithful as well. What does this look like in life?

First, faithfulness refers to how we live before God; we receive, believe, and love all that He has said in His word. We take it to be our faithful standard of doctrine and practice. Faithfulness is not only being faithful to believing what God’s Word says but also doing what God’s Word says. Many of the struggles that the Church faces regarding effective, robust ministry and world-changing impact is due to a lack of faithfulness among the people. Jesus has organized His Church upon the basis of the faithfulness of those whom He has saved. The Bible reveals that Jesus did not save us to be pew/bench warmers but to be active contributors to the life and ministry of the Church. We have all been entrusted with gifts, skills, talents and resources that have been given to us not only to sustain our lives individually but to fulfill Jesus’ mission in the world through the ministry of His Church. Therefore, whether it be in serving, giving, leading or simply attending, we are all called to be faithful in our walk with Jesus as His Church.

First, it refers to how we live before God; we receive, believe, and love all that He has said in His word. We take it to be our faithful standard of doctrine and practice. Second, faithfulness demonstrates itself most frequently in how we live among those around us. The faithful Christian is the honest person; and committed to honesty. His ‘yes’ is to be ‘yes’ and his ‘no’ is to be ‘no’. The Psalmist says, ‘He swears to his own hurt, and does not change’ (). The Christian should desire to be known as one who keeps his word. Not only must we avoid the more flagrant types of lying, but also we must avoid self-exalting exaggerations, as well, the little white lies we use to avoid giving offence. We must try to answer people tactfully, but truthfully. Paul says speak the truth in love (). We are not compelled to say everything we think or to tell all the truth, if it is going to harm someone. But we must never tell a non-truth. If we cannot think of another way of answering a question except with a white lie, we must tell the truth.

Second, faithfulness demonstrates itself most frequently in how we live among those around us. The faithful Christian is the honest person; and committed to honesty. His ‘yes’ is to be ‘yes’ and his ‘no’ is to be ‘no’. The Psalmist says, ‘He swears to his own hurt, and does not change’ (). The Christian should desire to be known as one who keeps his word. Not only must we avoid the more flagrant types of lying, but also we must avoid self-exalting exaggerations, as well, the little white lies we use to avoid giving offence. We must try to answer people tactfully, but truthfully. Paul says speak the truth in love (). We are not compelled to say everything we think or to tell all the truth, if it is going to harm someone. But we must never tell a non-truth. If we cannot think of another way of answering a question except with a white lie, we must tell the truth.

Faithfulness means we honour our obligations; paying our bills on time is an important part of faithfulness. Faithfulness includes dependability; if you say you are going to do something tomorrow, then unless you are providentially hindered, you will do it tomorrow. We must be careful not to over commit. We must learn to say, ‘I am sorry, I cannot do that, not by tomorrow,’ or ‘I will try, but I can’t promise you that I will have that done by tomorrow or by the end of the week.’ You must learn to say ‘no.’ You must learn not to over commit, so when you do commit you are able to accomplish that which you have promised.

Another aspect of faithfulness is loyalty. We remain loyal to our husbands and wives, loyal to friends, regardless of the difficulties. We remain loyal to a commitment, even when something more advantageous comes along.

GENTLENESS.

The Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a believer is manifested in faithfulness as well as gentleness. Some of the older translations use the word “meekness” here rather than “gentleness” and both words are appropriate and honest to the original language of the Bible. Gentleness and/or meekness has to do with our attitudes both before God and before others. To be gentle and/or meek is to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought and often manifests itself through humility and submission. For instance...

Gentleness Before God. Gentleness/Meekness before God is the attitude expressed by Isaiah: ‘But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word’ (). James also describes our attitude to the word of God when he writes, ‘But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger’ (). We are to submit to the will of God expressed in His word and the will of God worked out in His providence. Gentleness, not think more highly of oneself than we ought, understands that God is God and we are not and therefore He is deserving of our submission and obedience in belief and practice.

Meekness before God is the attitude expressed by Isaiah: ‘But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word’ (). James also describes our attitude to the word of God when he writes, ‘But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger’ (1:19). We are to submit to the will of God expressed in His word and the will of God worked out in His providence. It is the attitude expressed by the Psalmist: ‘O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me’ (131:1, 2).

Gentleness Before Others. We also are to exercise meekness in our relationships. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we should, but ought to esteem our brethren more highly than ourselves. Because we are sinners our hearts are deceitful; we tend to appraise our gifts and abilities more highly that we ought. We must labour for a sober assessment to know our weaknesses. Meekness, however, is not a denial of our strengths and gifts. There is nothing wrong with saying, ‘Thank you,’ when somebody compliments you. Neither is there anything wrong with volunteering to do something that you believe you can do well. Meekness is a sober self-assessment. Moreover, meekness manifests the humility that submits to the opinion of others and does not always insist on its own way. It would be the opposite of being disputatious. Neither does one get his feelings hurt when he is not recognized or others are exalted over him. Hence it is the opposite of jealousy and envy.

Pipa, J. A., Jr. (2010). Galatians: God’s Proclamation of Liberty (pp. 214–215). Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications.

We also are to exercise meekness in our relationships. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we should, but ought to esteem our brethren more highly than ourselves. Because we are sinners our hearts are deceitful; we tend to appraise our gifts and abilities more highly that we ought. We must labour for a sober assessment to know our weaknesses. Meekness, however, is not a denial of our strengths and gifts. There is nothing wrong with saying, ‘Thank you,’ when somebody compliments you. Neither is there anything wrong with volunteering to do something that you believe you can do well. Meekness is a sober self-assessment.

SELF-CONTROL.

Self-Control, within the context of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, deals primarily with self-governing our affections/emotions. God has created us in His image and part of that is our emotions. Emotions are often our immediate reaction to adverse circumstances in our lives. We have been wired in such a way and sin has resulted in a lack of control and governance over our emotions but the Holy Spirit creates in us the ability to exercise self-control especially over those emotions that lead us into sin. For instance:

Moreover, meekness manifests the humility that submits to the opinion of others and does not always insist on its own way. It would be the opposite of being disputatious. Neither does one get his feelings hurt when he is not recognized or others are exalted over him. Hence it is the opposite of jealousy and envy.

Pipa, J. A., Jr. (2010). Galatians: God’s Proclamation of Liberty (p. 215). Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications.Pipa, J. A., Jr. (2010). Galatians: God’s Proclamation of Liberty (pp. 214–215). Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications.

Anger. We all know what it is like to be angry about something or with someone. In many cases, uncontrolled anger is the basis for many harmful actions done against and harmful words spoken to one that has angered us. This not to the way it is supposed to be. The Holy Spirit indwells the Christian to produce self-control so that anger does show up in our lives we can actually control it and even express it in a healthy way. This is the foundation to Paul’s words found in when he said, “be angry and do not sin.” Anger is not a sin but can lead to sin where we do not exercise control over it.

Fear/Worry/Anxiety. We also know what it is like to be fearful, worried or anxious. When we are unsure of the future fear, worry and anxiety can dominate our hearts and minds because we are afraid of that which we cannot control. Fear, worry and anxiety, like anger, are natural human responses to the unknown and is the product of our imperfect relationship with God due to our sin. However, the Holy Spirit leads us to be self-controlled so that fear, worry and anxiety does not dominate our lives nor hinder our obedience to Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

Philippians 4:6 HCSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Matthew 6:34 HCSB

Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

When we find ourselves in situations where fear, worry and anxiety begin to arise in our lives, the Holy Spirit will lead us to control those emotions as we are reminded of God’s sovereignty over and goodness to us.

Being self-controlled does not mean denying that these emotions are real but drives us to control these emotions when they arise in our lives. The Holy Spirit will lead us in controlling these emotions by reminding us that God is in control of all things and is working all things out for our good and His glory and does not abandon His people but cares, provides and protects us according to His good and perfect will for our lives.

When we find ourselves in situations where fear, worry and anxiety begin to arise in our lives, the Holy Spirit will lead us to control those emotions as we are reminded of God’s sovereignty over and goodness to us.

Worry/Stress/Anxiety.

RESPONSE: RESPONSIBILITY

Galatians 5:25 HCSB

Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.

In this closing message, we are adding a verse to what we have been studying. It is a verse that is a call to action among those who are indeed indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The Bible says that if we live by the Spirit then we must keep in step with the Spirit. In other words, we have the responsibility to put effort and energy into living the way the Holy Spirit is leading.

In any group exercise class there is a leader that has the responsibility of motivating and encouraging others to do things that they may normally wouldn’t. When I was a member of a fitness club in Louisville there was a spin class that took place when I usually exercised. I could hear the leader yelling and screaming words like “Keep up!” and “Just a few more seconds!” and “You’ve got this!” Those words of encouragement or benefit to those who are not willing to put forth the effort being called for by the leader. I was a member. Some of the classes were free. I could hear the encouragement but I just wasn’t willing to participate.

In a similar sense, this is what the Bible is telling us. The Holy Spirit is creating