Precious Fruit of the Spirit

[Jim]

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Love - affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love

Joy - joy, gladness

Peace - the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

Longsuffering - patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance

Gentleness - moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness

Goodness - uprightness of heart and life, goodness, kindness

Faith - conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it. The conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ. A strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Meekness - gentleness, mildness, meekness

Temperence - self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites)

Against such there is no law.

Do you exhibit these manifestations of the Holy Spirit? Would others say the same?

Would it that I could.....

[deputydog530]

Thanks for the Post Bro Jim. I did not learn what Joy was until 2003 when I entered a short term depression. Though I missed 12 weeks of work, while I was on my couch feeling so low, I found Joy daily in that my Lord was and is with me. I think the Lord allowed it for this learning, and learning of many other things. Another word that defines Joy well is Contentment. I was in a bad spot for that few months yet was content in the Lord that he would deliver me.

Amen

[George]

Quote:Temperence - self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites)

Now there is one I vastly disagree with and I rail against it every chance I get. In fact in Sunday School last week I had to teach a younger man that there is no such thing as self-control. There cannot be. It is one of those oxymoron things. I know that language is in the definitions that can be found but look at it from this perspective.

It is not self-control, it is Spirit control. Is it not listed among the parts of the Fruit of the Spirit? If it is a gift of the Spirit (temperance) it cannot be of us. I reiterate, if it is from the Holy Spirit, and the Bible says it is, it cannot be from man. Our spirit regains the ability to communicate with the Holy Spirit at the time we are saved. The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit which is supposed to control our souls (mind, will and emotions) and out souls are supposed to control our bodies. I say supposed to because we do have the ability to say "no" to the Holy Spirit. I do it far too often for my own good.

If we attempt to exercise self-control we are trying to do God's job for Him. That is no more than self-righteousness which is flawed at best. The Bible says: "(Gal 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." How do we mock God? We do it by trying to do His job for Him (self-righteousness.)


In fact some time ago I posted a study on Self-control and the Bible. I have just gone in and "stuck" it again so it is at the top of the page. If you believe in such a thing as self-control I suggest you go back in and read that paper. You will see that it cannot be so.

In christ,
George

[Jim]

Well put brother George. The definition I used comes from Strong's concordance. It is the greek definition from the word "egkrateia
". I don't think the definition takes out the understanding that we all know these are gifts of the Spirit.

I believe the point comes across fine. The title is "precious fruit of the spirit", so I hope we can all understand and agree that it, like all the other attributes only comes from the Holy Spirit.

However, I do disagree a little depending on what context it is being used. I teach my children self-control. We most certainly can have self-control outside of the Holy Spirit in a lot of areas. We cannot expect the Holy Spirit to do everything for us, specifically things we can do for ourselves. For example, I can tell my children that we need self-control if they start to play too much, or talk too much, or getting too excited. We can exercise "self-control". I don't think it is completley fair to say that we are completely in all ways powerless over the flesh. A man that is not saved can makethe decision to stop smoking if he feels it is unhealthy for him. Is that not self-control? The same goes for drinking, bad driving habits, etc.

I completely understand from where you are coming though, specifically in the addiction perspective. I think I forgot to tell you that I have been recently working with Wisdom in Living Life Ministries as a counselor. I meant to tell you that. One of the things we have been teaching is the greatest addiction to overcome is "self", and that there is no way outside of Jesus Christ this can be ever done.

But either way, I don't want to take away from the topic at hand. Temperance is most definitely manifested by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Love in Christ,

Jim

[George]

That term "sefl control" exist in just about every reference book available in which you can read about the Fruit of the Spirit. I understand your point about the youngsters Brother Jim but I believe it important to also understand that if a person, whether a child or adult, is not saved and has not been anointed with the Holy Spirit they are operating on their own righteousness which is at best flawed without the work of the Holy Spirit. In the case of children they are often "performing" at the behest or insistence of their parents and do exercise some level of self-control and often because they have no choice if they want to stay on the good side of their parents.

In Christ,
George

[Jim]

Quote:"but I believe it important to also understand that if a person, whether a child or adult, is not saved and has not been anointed with the Holy Spirit they are operating on their own righteousness which is at best flawed without the work of the Holy Spirit."

I couldn't agree more.

[IM4given]

I think it is very easy for the Devil to cause saved people to walk in the flesh instead of the spirit. This does all sorts of damage to their testamony, and also causes many people to turn from God. A saved person can think they are doing the right thing, but Satan is quite a deciever and can present quite a convincing argument, as Eve found out unfortunately.

[candlelight]

Great thread, Brother Jim. I also agree with IM4given. The "Author of Confusion" is quite sneaky and can convince a saved person that they are walking in the spirit rather than the flesh.

Before I was saved... my pastor preached a wonderful sermon on being a "Slave to the Devil." When I heard the word... "slave"--- that is when my heart was truly convicted. I thought I had been saved years prior... but, was only gaining "head konwledge." It is amazing how one single word can do it! I give that testimony to say this... "If a person can work so hard for Satan--- imagine how hard they can work for the Lord Jesus Christ?" To know that Jesus Christ is "The Author and Finisher of our faith" is truly amazing to me.

When the Apostle Paul talks about salvation, he refers to the fact that Our Father in Heaven knows our hearts, minds, and souls--- in this critical area. When James talks about salvation... he talks about "faith without works is dead." I learned awhile ago that this is called "Truth Intention." You have the same result, but they are quite different... in that a saved person needs to watch their "testimony" and "guard their hearts" 24/7. Boy, is that difficult to do. I find that the lost think that a saved person merely has to have that "personal relationship" with Jesus Christ... and, that is it. When they see the "Precious fruit of the Spirit" at work in a Christian's life... that is when they know differently. Hopefully, that "difference" makes a positive impact in their life. It is a crucial matter of everlasting life in heaven or eternal punishment in hell.

Thank you for this wonderful reminder... Brother Jim. God bless you all.

[Mongol Servant]

Thanks Bros Jim & George, for a great discussion.

[candlelight]

Mongol Servant Wrote:Thanks Bros Jim & George, for a great discussion.

Hmmm. I thought that three other people were involved in this disussion. Oh, well. God bless you brother.

[NCUNIT33]

A few thoughts on Fruit
Fruit nourishes our body, just as the fruits of the Spirit do to the body of Christ.
Fruit gives new life. In order to do this it must die, a type of Christ giving his life for the body of Christ.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Our fruits should be seen of men.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
All fruits carry seeds, Our fruits should carry the seeds of life, The Word of God.
Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word.

Our fruit is seen in our reflection
The love, joy, peace.
Our fruit is seen in our reaction
longsuffering, The gentleness,Meekness, temperance.
Our fruit is seen in our rejoicing
With Joy and faith

Jim Norman
Northside Baptist Church