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Title: The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23


1
The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 522-23
  • But the fruit of the spirit is
  • Love,
  • Joy,
  • Peace,
  • Longsuffering,
  • Gentleness,
  • Goodness,
  • Faith,
  • Meekness,
  • Temperance,
  • against such there is no law

2
Separate Fruit or Different Aspects of One Fruit?
  • Fruit in the New Testament is normally plural
  • Only in Galatians 522 and Luke 142 (referring
    to Jesus) is it singular
  • Actually, this fruit is singular collective
  • One collective fruit that is centered
  • in LOVE made up of 8 other parts?
  • Consider I Corinthians 13 and 2 Peter 1

3
Galatians 5 I Corinthians 13Fruit of Spirit
Love or Charity
  • JOY
  • PEACE
  • LONGSUFFERING
  • GENTLENESS
  • GOODNESS
  • FAITH
  • MEEKNESS
  • TEMPERANCE
  • rejoiceth hopeth all things
  • beareth all things endureth all things
  • suffereth long not easily provoked
  • is kind envieth not
  • rejoiceth not in iniquity thinketh not evil
  • believeth all things never faileth
  • not puffed up vaunteth not itself
  • behaveth not unseemly seeketh not her own

4
2 Peter 1 Galatians 5
  • FAITH (same word) FAITH
  • VIRTUE brings GOODNESS
  • KNOWLEDGE brings (see PEACE
  • 2 Pet. 13)
  • TEMPERANCE (same word) TEMPERANCE
  • PATIENCE encourages LONGSUFFERING
  • GODLINESS brings GENTLENESS
  • BROTHERLY KINDNESS and MEEKNESS
  • CHARITY equals LOVE

5
But the fruit of the spirit is
  • Love
  • Joy,
  • Peace,
  • Longsuffering,
  • Gentleness,
  • Goodness,
  • Faith,
  • Meekness,
  • Temperance,
  • against such there is no law
  • Galatians 522-23

6
Longsuffering
  • English word joining together of 2 words
  • Original Greek also combination of 2 words
  • makro and themeo
  • Literally slow anger or long temper
  • Also translated patience
  • Newer versions (eg, NIV NEB) translate this
    fruit of the spirit as patience
  • But, there is a difference between Biblical
    Longsuffering and Patience (as we know it).

7
The Patience of Job
  • Character of Job well illustrates difference
    between patience and longsuffering
  • Known for patience but not longsuffering
  • James uses both words in chapter 5
  • Be patient (makrothumia) therefore, brethren,
    unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
    husbandmanhath long patience for itBe ye also
    patient James 57-8
  • Ye have heard of the patience (hupomone) of Job,
    and hath seen the end of the Lord James 511
  • James says -- We need more than patience
    (humonone)!
  • Job, too, needed to learn longsuffering
    (makrothumia)

8
Longsuffering of Yahweh
  • God is described as being slow to anger
    Neh. 917
  • Exhibited this characteristic many times - e.g.,
    time of Noah (see 1 Pet. 320)
  • but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
    that any should perish, but that all should come
    to repentance. 2 Pet. 39
  • And account that the longsuffering of our Lord
    is salvation. 2 Pet. 315

9
Slow Anger is not No Anger
  • Impossible to experience no anger.
  • What counts is how we express it.
  • And we need to express it release it in some
    way.
  • Not in ways that are physically or emotionally
    damaging to other people.
  • Opposite of slow anger quick temper
  • not a part of the fruit of the Spirit

10
Anger Biblical Common Sense
  • A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise
    man quietly holds back. Prov. 2911 (RSV)
  • Be ye angry, and sin not let not the sun go
    down upon your wrath Eph. 426
  • Beslow to wrath For the wrath of man worketh
    not the righteousness of God James 119,20

11
Anger - Negative ( Positive) Sides
  • Negative Impacts
  • Attacking another person
  • Thinking hateful thoughts
  • Festering grudges
  • Souring relationships
  • Guilt -gt Neurosis -gt Physical Illness
  • Positive Side
  • Use it as fuel for motivation
  • But must let it go calm it back

12
The Answer to Anger and The Secret of
Longsuffering
  • It is quite simple
  • It is the ACT of FORGIVENESS
  • It is essential to our own emotional, spiritual
    and even physical well-being.
  • To Forgive is to set a prisoner free and
    discover the prisoner was YOU.

13
Forgiveness A Way of Life
  • Forgiveness does not come naturally
  • It needs Practice working on until it becomes a
    habit
  • Starting with small everyday things
  • Just let it go calm it back
  • Think back Do you have anything against anyone?
  • FORGIVE THEM set yourself free

14
Forgiving Yourself
  • Anger towards ourselves is no less bad than anger
    directed towards others.
  • Can be most difficult form of forgiveness.
  • There is nothing wrong with having a certain
    healthy regard for ourselves.
  • But, we think we own ourselves and therefore can
    mistreat ourselves.
  • Not so! We were bought with a price.

15
Longsuffering Towards Ourselves
  • Go easy on yourself or it will be impossible to
    go easy on others.
  • If we are over-critical and chronically angry at
    ourselves, were not going to project a different
    attitude towards our neighbors.
  • We cant give away what we dont have ourselves.
  • For if our heart condemn us, God is greater
    (hearted) than our heart (than I am), and knoweth
    all things 1 John 320
  • Yahweh is more long-suffering than we can ever
    imagine.

16
TEMPERANCE
  • Is it self-control or God-control?
  • Natural will is weak to overcome must be aligned
    with higher power.
  • True temperance only through delight and
    meditation in Gods Word.
  • We must hold back and not indulge in excesses
    acceptable to the world.

17
TEMPERANCE
  • Original Greek Egkrateia (pronounced
    en-krateia)
  • Compound of two words en kratos
  • Literally means in strength
  • To have power over ones self Self-control
  • Indeed, it takes much strength to overcome the
    lure from within that is so strong.
  • He who rules his spirit is better than he who
    takes a city Prov. 1632

18
Biblical (NT) context of Temperance
  • But if they unmarried and widows cannot
    contain, let them marry for it is better to
    marry than to burn. 1 Corinthians 79
  • Original word for contain is egkrateia or
    temperance.
  • The context is how much easier it can be to serve
    God if one remains unmarried.
  • And every man that striveth for the mastery is
    temperate in all thingsBut I keep under my body,
    and bring it into subjection lest by any means,
    when I have preached to others, I myself should
    be a castaway 1 Cor. 925,27
  • Context of 1 Corinthians 9 is clearly confined to
    bodily excesses.
  • Is all the universal all absolutely
    everything?
  • Should we be temperate in our love for God, for
    example?

19
Other areas of self-control
  • Drinking
  • Amassing wealth
  • Spending
  • Eating
  • Etc.

20
Temperance vs. Moderation
  • These words are close synonyms but are not the
    same, particularly as they relate to morality.
  • Moderation in all things is a phrase often
    heard today but it is not Biblical.
  • There are some things we are told to abstain
    from.
  • Abstinence is the ultimate form of temperance.

21
Interlocking Pieces of Fruit
  • All parts of the fruit of the Spirit overlap and
    interlink.
  • All parts combine to make the complete and true
    Christ-like character.
  • Lack of one part will generally mean shortages in
    other parts.
  • For example - if we fail to be longsuffering, we
    will fail at joy and peace

22
Gentleness
  • Greek chrestotes
  • More often translated kindness in AV
  • This fruit is better understood as Kindness
  • Acts of kindness the cup of cold water
  • Everyday things i.e. generally being nice?
  • Social Kindness - because we like to be liked
  • Fruit of the Spirit is not just Social Kindness

23
Being vs. Doing
  • Fruit of the Spirit about being more than doing
  • Internal quality of kindness rather than outward
    manifestation of it.
  • Perfunctory kindness no better than social
    kindness
  • Chrestotes related Chrestos describe genuine
    kindness of the heart
  • Mirrors the kindness of Yahweh himself and of His
    Son

24
References to Kindness of GodOriginal Greek
chrestotes or chrestos
  • the riches of his goodness Rom. 24
  • the goodness and severity of God Rom. 1122
  • if thou continue in his goodness Rom. 1122
  • the riches of His grace in his kindness Eph.
    27
  • the kindness and love of God Titus 34
  • the goodness of God leadeth thee to
    repentance Rom. 24
  • He is kind to be thankful Luke 635
  • Be ye kindtenderheartedforgiving Eph. 432
  • as God

25
Kindness principle attribute of Gods
grace
  • GRACE
  • favor generosity allowance mercy
  • goodwill clemency beneficence

26
Sympathy for Others
  • Gentleness (KINDNESS) will manifest itself in
    greater sympathy for people.
  • Reality is we all suffer from cursed human
    condition.
  • Genuine kindness comes from knowing and
    appreciating what others are going through
    (treating them in a way that shows you really
    believe they matter)
  • Kindness is NOT being patronizing and
    condescending but being empathetic.

27
Kindness begins at home
  • Should find its fullest and best expression among
    fellow believers.
  • Let each esteem others better than himself
    Phil. 23 RAV
  • Indicates high level of grace, allowance and
    understanding we should have for others of the
    faith.
  • But, are we impartial in esteeming others?
  • - They would be all right if only they were

28
What Philippians 23 does not say
  • let each esteem himself or herself worse than
    others
  • This passage is not reversible in this way.
  • Spirit of the verse is to exalt others not knock
    ourselves down.
  • It should have a positive effect on us help us
    to show kindness to fellow believers.

29
SoHow do we show kindness to fellow believers?
  • By passing on the grace that Yahweh has shown
    unto us.
  • By making allowance for others.
  • Treating them with sympathy and understanding.
  • Understanding what makes them tick.
  • By putting away all the bad uses of the tongue
    Eph. 429, 31, 32
  • By ministering grace unto the hearers
    and using the art of careful listening

30
Kindness can be expensive
  • Real kindness does have a cost
  • Our time
  • Our energy
  • Our money
  • Our pride
  • Our convenience
  • Our security
  • But, we wont count the cost when it has become
    part of our everyday character.

31
The Milk of Human Kindness
  • too full o the milk of human kindness
    Lady Macbeth
  • Is there a danger of being overly kind or taken
    advantage of for our kindness?
  • Answer leave it in Gods hands trust in Him.
  • Never allow the milk to go sour!
  • The kindness of Christ and his Father is
    experienced by tasting the sincere milk of the
    word. 1 Peter 22,3
  • Kindness will be perfectly manifested in us as
    citizens of the Kingdom.

32
Goodness
  • Greek word agathosune
  • Only appears in New Testament four times
  • Romans 1514
  • Galatians 522
  • Ephesians 59
  • 2 Thessalonians 111

33
Full of Goodness Rom. 1514
  • Not in absolute sense
  • Even Christ said there is none good but one,
    that is God Matt. 1916-17
  • Yahweh may impute goodness on His own terms but
    its not inherent or earned.
  • But, Romans had sufficient knowledge and
    goodness.
  • With such, they were able to admonish one
    another and lead away from false doctrine and
    un-Christ-like practices Paul warned them
    against.
  • Do we have sufficient goodness?

34
Goodness
  • Greek word agathosune
  • New Testament references
  • Romans 1514
  • Galatians 522
  • Ephesians 59
  • 2 Thessalonians 111

35
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all
goodness) Ephesians 59
  • Verse must be considered in context of chapters 4
    and 5 and especially vv. 8-11.
  • Chief source of defense against unfruitful works
    of darkness is fruit of the Spirit.
  • And only fruit mentioned explicitly is
    goodness.
  • Goodness works in proving what is acceptable
    and in reproving the unfruitful works of
    darkness.
  • Relationship of goodness to admonishing and
    reproving is very significant.

36
good pleasure of His goodness 2 Thess.
111
  • Wherefore also we pray always for you, that
    our God would count you worthy of this calling,
    and fulfil all the good pleasure of his
    goodness, and the work of faith with power.
  • Some versions other than KJV impute goodness in
    this verse to believers rather than God.
  • Alternate rendering of 2 Thess. 111
  • that our God would count you worthy of calling
    and fulfill all the good pleasure delight and
    desire of your goodness and your work of
    faith with power.
  • In a nutshell The fulfillment of their delight
    in goodness would be their salvation.

37
Goodness is
  • The quality of character that lies behind, and
    must precede all truly good works.
  • It works something like a conscience and may be
    just that.
  • Inner voice of the Word which is admonishing
    and reproving us.
  • Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might
    not sin against thee Psalm 11911

38
Self-Talk
  • Nature of our self-talk is extremely important
    to our spiritual and mental well-being.
  • For people of the world, their self talk is
    almost entirely influenced by themselves and
    other people.
  • Any goodness they have is not the real thing.
  • Their moral compass is not influenced by the Word
    of God.
  • Self-talk of the believer is marked by gentle but
    firm inner reprovings and admonitions of the
    Word.
  • When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee
    Prov. 622

39
Our Inner Voice
  • In the beginning, Adam and Eves self-talk was
    the pure voice of goodness.
  • Disobedience introduced a new voice in their
    heads.
  • Voice of goodness became overwhelmed and in need
    of constant reinforcement.
  • We desperately need the positive influence of the
    Word to restore the godly voice of goodness.
  • Whats the inner voice in your head telling you
    most of the time? Is it predominantly the voice
    of goodness or the voice of evil?

40
Positive and Negative Thinking
  • Goodness is a form of positive thinking.
  • Our natural mode of thinking is negative. It can
  • Lead us away from our own highest good
  • Drain our spirit if we let it
  • Try to convince us that bad things are actually
    good for us.
  • Bible-based positive thinking is the only real
    change agent that can overcome the natural mode
    and result in true goodness.

41
Think of these things Phil. 48
  • whatsoever things are
  • TRUE
  • HONEST
  • PURE
  • LOVELY
  • GOOD REPORT
  • VIRTUE

42
But the fruit of the spirit is
  • Love,
  • Joy,
  • Peace,
  • Longsuffering,
  • Gentleness,
  • Goodness,
  • Faith,
  • Meekness,
  • Temperance,
  • against such there is no law
  • Galatians 522-23

43
The Equation of Faith - Heb. 111
  • Faith
  • Substance
  • Greek hupostatis hupo - of, by or under statis
    - state
  • literally of state or of standing
  • something you can stand on a solid base

1 The Substance The Evidence
2 Things hoped for Things not seen
of
of
44
JOY and PEACE flip sides of the same coin
  • JOY PEACE
  • (Active) (Passive)
  • Faith Security

45
JOY
  • Greek chara
  • Related to charis (grace) charisma (gift)
  • JOY certainty doubt cast out
    expectations soon to be realized
  • good tidings of great joy, which
    shall be to all people when
    they saw the star, they rejoiced (chairo)
    with exceeding great joy (chara).
  • NO JOY with doubt, worry, lack of faith
    insecurity

46
Attitude and Joy
  • Christs Parables in Matthew 13 - Attitudes
    toward the Kingdom
  • Parable of Sower
  • Treasure hid in the field v. 44
  • The Kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hide
    in a field the which when a man hath found, he
    hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all
    that he hath and buyeth that field.
  • Pearl of great price vv. 45-46
  • is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly
    pearls who, when he found one pearl of great
    price, went and sold all that he had, and bought
    it.

47
Certainty vs. Doubt
  • Comes through faith
  • Awareness of
  • Abundant Grace
  • Mercy
  • Goodness
  • Good Grief
  • Acknowledging the need for confession and
    repentance
  • Certainty of Forgiveness
  • Comes naturally
  • Not wanting to delude ourselves
  • Thoughts of shame and guilt
  • Constant failure to live the Truth
  • Feelings of unworthiness

48
The joy of the Lord is your strength
  • Example of the children of Israel in the days of
    Nehemiah
  • For all the people had been weeping as they
    listened to the words of the Law Neh. 89 NIV
  • Nehemiah said, Go and enjoyThis day is sacred
    to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the
    Lord is your strength Neh. 810 NIV
  • Strength moaz Hebrew fort or stronghold
  • Joy founded upon the certainty of Yahwehs love
    and mercy protection against despair and
    hopelessness that the guilt of sin brings.

49
but your sorrow shall be turned into joy
  • Example of Christ and the disciples
  • A little while, and ye shall not see me and
    again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
    Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall
    weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice and
    ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be
    turned into joy. John 1619-20
  • Joy that comes from deep-seated spiritual
    security.
  • Joy that comes by knowing the Kingdom will be
    established.

50
Secret of maintaining joy
  • Keep the vision of your pearl clear (not
    hidden in our pockets)
  • Keep the certainty of it always before you (not
    letting doubt creep in)
  • Always be expecting its value to be realized
    (not letting failure obscure your vision)
  • For the joy of the Lord is your strength

51
But the fruit of the spirit is
  • Love,
  • Joy,
  • Peace,
  • Longsuffering,
  • Gentleness,
  • Goodness,
  • Faith,
  • Meekness,
  • Temperance,
  • against such there is no law
  • Galatians 522-23

52
Individual Ideas of Peace
  • Sitting alone reading Walking down a country
    path
  • Fly fishing in a stream Quiet time
    after children are asleep

53
Peace in todays society?
  • Our society promotes stress.
  • It is a treadmill society driven by materialism
    and consumerism.
  • Chasing dreams that are never realized.
  • Getting to the top can take a heavy toll.
  • Opting to get off the treadmill is difficult in
    todays economy and can lead to the stress of
    survival.
  • Believers lives are no less stress-free than
    others.

54
The Way of Peace
  • Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
    you John 1427
  • let the peace of God rule in your
    hearts Col. 315
  • It is possible for everyone to experience real
    peace.
  • But, why is the way of peace so difficult for
    most of us to find?

55
Peace and Circumstance
  • Many live with illusion that inner peace is
    totally dependent upon external circumstances.
  • But, this is NOT the case. Real peace does not
    depend on circumstances.
  • If your peace is controlled by external things,
    then it is not real peace.
  • True peace is obtained by developing the other
    fruit of the Spirit and constant delight and
    meditation on the Word of God.

56
Scriptural examples
  • Stephen was able to retain inner peace, even
    while being stoned to death.
  • Habakkuk
  • Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are
    no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop
    fails and the fields produce no food, though
    there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in
    the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I
    will be joyful in God my Savior Hab. 317-18 NIV
  • Paul
  • Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again
    Rejoice! The Lord is near. Do not be anxious
    about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
    petition, with thanksgiving present your requests
    to God. And the peace of God, which transcends
    all understanding, will guard your hearts and
    minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 44-7 (NIV)

57
Real Peace
  • Practiced by maintaining inner calm and absolute
    trust in Yahweh during smaller everyday as well
    as major crises of life,
  • as with all the fruit of the Spirit real peace
    takes effort to develop as an aspect of our
    character
  • for
  • all things work together for good
  • Not that all things are good
  • Bad things must be viewed in context of God
    guiding all the events in life to a good,
    eventual outcome.

58
The Gap
  • REAL PEACE (Spiritual Mind)
  • ACTUAL PEACE
  • (or Lack thereof)
  • YOU FEEL
  • LIFE FILLED WITH
  • TROUBLE CONFUSION
  • (Natural Mind)

THE GAP
59
Cold War
  • Real peace is not the absence of war (or conflict
    in our lives).
  • It is a quality (fruit) in its own right which
    actually replaces conflict within us.
  • Do we have our own personal, inner cold war going
    on?
  • It is a form of being in the Gap (and can be on
    the edge of falling out of the peace zone).
  • Difference between only resisting the devil and
    drawing nigh unto God.

60
The Pendulum of Finding Peace
  • Resist the Devil Draw nigh to
    God
  • THE GAP

61
Finding peace through the bad
  • To be reminded of God every time something goes
    wrong is perfect way to stay focused on the Truth
    and find peace.
  • Important to see the hand of God in things that
    would normally defeat you and to
  • Press the praise button, not the panic button
    (i.e., thank God and dont complain).
  • Changed attitude to problems and recognition of
    God in your life events will transform you and
    bring real peace.
  • Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with
    good. Rom. 1221

62
Confusion vs. Peace
  • For God is not the author of confusion, but of
    peace 1 Cor. 1433
  • In the
  • Mind of the Flesh GAP Mind of the
    Spirit
  • The GAP is a mental state of confusion
    instability or double-mindedness.
  • A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways
    James 18
  • The Answer Psalm 8611-12

63
Peace like a River
  • Isaiah 6612 Behold, I will extend peace to her
    like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like
    a flowing stream.
  • Revelation 221,2
  • Psalm 13 like a tree planted by the rivers of
    water that bringeth forth his fruit in due
    season
  • Psalm 3711 meek shall inherit the earth and
    shall delight themselves in the abundance of
    peace
  • 2 Peter 313-14
  • Col. 315 And let the peace of God rule in your
    hearts, to the which also ye are called in one
    body and be ye thankful.

64
  • But the fruit of the spirit is
  • Love,
  • Joy,
  • Peace,
  • Longsuffering,
  • Gentleness,
  • Goodness,
  • Faith,
  • Meekness,
  • Temperance,
  • against such there is no law

65
8-Fold Fruit of the Spirit
  • Characterizes the New Man in Christ
  • Number 8 signifies a new beginning
  • Consider other lists of attributes for
  • Elect of God (items to put on) - Col. 312-16
  • Man of God - I Timothy 611-12
  • Brethren Romans 12 entire chapter

66
Balance and Attitude
  • Must keep the Fruit in balance
  • They are the Correct Attitudes to Life
  • And the Fruit of the Spirit is all about
    attitude
  • Correct attitudes
  • JOY, PEACE, etc. The Pull of the Flesh

67
Hupomone Active Patience
  • One of the noblest of New Testament words
  • Relates specifically to tribulation
  • Not a passive form of patience
  • Through which we can bear all things through hope
  • This was the patience of Job!
  • But, he still needed to learn longsuffering
    towards his friends.

68
Real Faith
  • Works without faith is phony fruit.
  • May have appearance of real fruit.
  • But, God is not fooled.
  • Yahweh looks at the being not the doing.
  • Works without real faith will only bring a
    bitter.
  • by works was faith made perfect James
    222

69
The Teenager Analogy
  • Human race is stuck in adolescence from Gods
    perspective never reaching spiritual maturity.
  • Teenagers want the benefits of adulthood without
    the responsibilities.
  • Temperance is hard for spiritual adolescents of
    all ages.
  • Reality is that believers still have same old
    rebellious nature after baptism and can suffer
    from shortcomings as spiritual adolescents.

70
Temperance Biblical emphasis
  • Immorality was a problem in Pauls day and its
    much worse today.
  • Biblical temperance is all about being strong in
    the control of our natural tendencies -- the
    primary drives of the flesh.
  • Sexual drive is perhaps the strongest and most
    difficult to control for some.
  • Paul explicitly exhorts the brethren in the first
    century on this delicate subject, especially to
    the ecclesia in Corinth.

71
Goodness in use as a Fruit
  • Goodness is -- quality of character in a believer
    by which he or she is able to combat badness or
    evil.
  • Believer should direct his/her goodness toward
    others in error using it to validate their
    admonition and reproofs.
  • It only comes from reading the Spirit Word and
  • It gives us credibility when dealing with error
    doctrine or walk.
  • But, not its primary function.
  • More importantly, is what it does for us on the
    inside (being rather than doing).

72
Faith Now
  • Three other matters of faith that are not future
  • Hand of Yahweh in our lives
  • His hand in the affairs of present nations
  • His hand in the past
  • Each of these has evidence in outworkings beyond
    Scripture but still require faith
  • And we must have faith in ourselves.

73
Original Greek - Egkrateia
  • Compound of two words en kratos
  • Literally means in strength
  • To have power over ones self
  • Indeed, it takes much strength to overcome the
    lure from within that is so strong.
  • He who rules his spirit is better than he who
    takes a city Prov. 1632

74
Example of Felix
  • Procurator of Judea - Paul defended himself
    against claims made against him before Felix (see
    Acts 24).
  • And as Paul reasoned of righteousness,
    temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled,
    and answered, Go thy way (v. 25)
  • History shows that Felix indulged in all kinds of
    cruelty and moral excess including murder and
    adultery.
  • Judgment would be the consequence of his lack of
    temperance (and righteousness) therefore he
    trembled.

75
Adultery and Murder in the Heart
  • We may not be guilty of adultery or murder but
    what about the spiritual equivalents?
  • Ye have heard that it was said of them of old
    time, Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall
    kill shall be in danger of the judgment But I
    say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his
    brother without a cause shall be in danger of the
    judgment.
  • But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a
    woman to lust after her hath committed adultery
    with her already in his heart. Matthew 521,
    22 28
  • Intemperate thinking is sin in Yahwehs eyes just
    as intemperate action.
  • Are we any less guilty than Felix in regard to
    intemperate thinking?

76
Peace Other side of coin of Security
  • JOY (Active) PEACE (Passive)
  • Security
  • Joy gives sparkle to life in the Truth.
  • Peace provides a deeper feeling of well-being.
  • True peace is a product of the other Fruit of the
    Spirit.

77
Trees Bearing Fruit
  • Fruitful trees are worthwhile
  • Fruitless trees are worthless
  • The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 136-9)
  • Fruit is the visible evidence/expression of a
    trees good health both natural spiritual.
  • Cultivation Spiritual Development
  • fruits meet for repentance (Matt. 38)

78
A tree planted by the water Psalm 13
Jeremiah 178
  • Natural - Healthy trees are planted by good water
    supplies
  • Spiritual see preceding verses
  • his delight is in the law of the Lord and in
    his law doth he meditate day and night Ps. 12
  • Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord,
    and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a
    tree Jer. 177
  • Delight Meditation in the Law
  • Trust Hope in the Lord

79
Of the Spirit
  • Nobody but Yahweh can make a fruit
  • Farmers create best conditions for growth
    yet natural laws of creation bring forth fruit
  • Natural fruit is also of the Spirit
  • But, fruit of the Spirit is extra special
  • Brings together all the qualities of character
    produced in the heart of a believer by the Spirit
  • And like natural fruit, man cannot manufacture
    such qualities on his own
  • This fruit has to go through a process of growth

80
Fruit of the World
  • Good works of the unbeliever are not the fruit
    of the Spirit and fail to please Yahweh
  • They are synthetic or imitation fruit.
  • Good people only appear to be what God wants.

81
Not a gift of the Spirit
  • of the Spirit ? gift of the Spirit
  • This fruit is not conferred by the Holy Spirit
  • Not grown suddenly and miraculously at baptism
  • Nor can it be programmed like a computer
  • Development of it must be a free-will response

82
What then makes it of the Spirit ?
  • Because it results from the influence of the
    Spirit Word

83
Parallel Phrases
  • mind of the Spirit Romans 827
  • spiritually minded Romans 86
  • minding the things of the Spirit Romans 85
  • mind of Christ 1 Cor. 216 Phil. 25
  • Spirit of Christ Romans 89
  • Spirit of life in Christ Jesus Romans 82
  • Walk in the Spirit Galatians 516

84
The Mind of Christ Fruit of Spirit
  • love one another as I have LOVED you John
    1512
  • that my JOY might remain in you John 1511
  • my PEACE I give unto you John 1427
  • Jesus Christ might shew forth all LONGSUFFERING
    1 Tim. 116
  • the Lord Jesus is gracious Gr. chrestos,
    KIND gentleness 1 Peter 23
  • Can there come any GOOD thing come out of
    Nazareth?... Come and see John 14
  • Christ Jesus who was FAITHFUL to him that
    Heb. 32 appointed him
  • by the MEEKNESS and gentleness of Christ 2
    Cor. 101
  • Every man includes Christ that striveth for
    mastery is TEMPERATE in all things 1 Cor.
    925

85
LOVE (agape)
  • What is ISNT?
  • It isnt the love the world knows.
  • It isnt philia (friendship, affection, romantic)
  • It isnt eros (physical passion)
  • It is not superficial or something you can turn
    on and off and
  • It doesnt come naturally.

86
What Agape is
  • It is best defined through its illustration in
    Scripture for all the Law is fulfilled in it
  • It is ultimately exemplified in Yahweh and His
    Son.
  • It is transcendent.
  • It is practical - a sound and workable
    approach to daily living

Heaven (God)
Christ
Earth (us)
87
Love for our brethren should be
  • Of a higher order than those outside the Truth
    (Gal. 610)
  • It can (and should) be better expressed among
    fellow believers than between believer and
    unbeliever.
  • Our love for those who love the things we love
    will naturally be greater.
  • A form of witness to the world (John 1335)

88
Swear not at all
  • But above all things, my brethren, swear not,
    neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither
    by any other oath but let your yea be yea and
    your nay, nay lest ye fall into condemnation.
    James 512
  • Jesus warns not to swear at all take no oaths
    or commit to anything we are unable to follow
    through with. But let your communication be,
    Yea, yea Nay, nay for whatsoever is more than
    these cometh of evil Matt. 533-37

89
Everyday Swear Words
  • My Goodness
  • Good Gracious
  • Good Heavens
  • Gosh or Oh My Gosh
  • Geez (Jesus)
  • Jiminy Cricket (Jesus Christ)
  • Cripes (Christ)

90
Swearing A Social Disease
  • Can be caught like a common cold.
  • A strong social acceptance factor is involved.
  • But, believers must resist it. Why?
  • It displeases and even devalues Yahweh.
  • It is a sign of emotional immaturity.
  • A lack of ability to express strong feeling in
    any other way.

91
Temperance and God
  • Yahweh exhibits the controlled strength of
    meekness (the last Fruit considered) to
    perfection.
  • Temperance works alongside His meekness as part
    of His character.
  • God is not given to uncontrolled use of His power
    and is extremely sparing in His omnipotence.
  • Lessons for us if we are to share in His
    character?

92
I think, therefore I am
  • French philosopher
  • Rene Descartes
  • Cogito, ergo sum
  • Two choices
  • I think, therefore I amevil or
  • I think, therefore I amgood
  • Which mode of thinking applies to us?

93
Progress
Doing Doing Being Being
94
FAITH
  • The only fruit that is defined in Scripture.
  • Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
    the evidence of things not seen
  • Hebrews 111
  • But, what does this meaning really mean?

95
Faith and Works James 218
  • Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have
    works shew my thy faith without works, and I
    will shew thee my faith by my works.
  • Not a doctrine of salvation by works but
  • A doctrine of salvation by faith that inevitably
    leads to works.
  • Works are not the goal.
  • Fruit of the Spirit is the goal and works are
    outcome of developing of the fruit especially
    faith.
  • by works was faith made perfect James
    222

96
Box 2
  • Faith

1 The Substance The Evidence
2 Things hoped for Things not seen
of
of
97
Things hoped for
  • The return of Christ
  • Resurrection
  • Immortality
  • The Kingdom of God established

98
Faith in our own salvation
  • Believing in the salvation of others is much
    easier than our own.
  • Difference is that we know ourselves only too
    well, especially our shadow selves.
  • But, Yahweh is pleased in progress we gain for
    the fruit of the Spirit and the development
    thereof.
  • The only true failure is to believe you have no
    hope.
  • People with real faith affect those around them
    in direct and indirect ways.

99
MEEKNESS
  • Greek Praotes gentle, mild and gracious
  • But it does not connote weakness or timidity in
    the way the world would consider meekness.
  • Biblically defined as gentle, controlled strength
  • True meekness as a fruit of the Spirit can only
    be developed as a characteristic of believers. It
    can never come naturally.
  • It arises from the strength and security we have
    in trusting Yahweh.
  • It grows within as a result of our continued
    delight and meditation in the Word.

100
The Supreme Example
  • The Almighty Himself is the greatest example of
    meekness.
  • He is controlled strength in the ultimate sense
    of the term.
  • THE Creator and Sustainer of the Universe
    -Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent and Glorious
    beyond our comprehension.
  • Yet is mindful of us here on this earth and shown
    His love to us in many ways more than we could
    expect or deserve.

101
The Meekness of Christ
  • His life exemplified controlled strength
  • From the time of temptation in the wilderness
  • Slipping away from those who threatened to kill
    him though he had the power to deal with them
  • To his last entry into Jerusalem, riding on a
    lowly animal hearing the cheers of many who
    would call for his death
  • And finally to be crucified as a common criminal.
  • Jesus resisted the temptation to use his power
    and acknowledged the source of it.
  • And in this knowledge lies the secret of our
    meekness.

102
The Meekness of Man
  • Yet, mankind is so self-important!
  • In reality, he has much to be modest about.
  • But, human nature admires self-reliance and
    assertiveness.
  • If only, more people were spiritually strong
    enough to be meek!
  • The greatest barrier to having Biblical meekness
    is the fear that it will appear to others as
    natural weakness.

103
God-reliance
  • A Biblically meek person realizes the affairs of
    his or her life are in no ones hands but Gods.
  • Meekness is God-reliance not self-reliance.
  • Meekness is not weak, isolated or dependent on
    self.
  • He/she is therefore strong and connected as a
    child of Yahweh but at the same time, independent
    in the sense of John 832
  • The truth shall make you free
  • Free from sin and its attendant anxieties.
  • Free from the cares of this life knowing the
    security and strength of being in Christ.

104
Biblically-meek person
  • Doesnt need to prove anything or impress anyone
    for
  • behavior such as bragging is a sign of insecurity
    and not real meekness
  • His/her first priority is what God thinks and so
  • Radiates a quiet God-confidence knowing the
    outcome of everything is in His hands
  • For they have a deep trust that at the same time
    brings humility
  • Recognizing that what He decides is the best for
    us is not always what we would have expected
  • And reason for always saying and thinking God
    willing (see James 413-16)

105
A Life of Meekness
  • Biblical meekness is a valuable asset in every
    facet of life
  • At home,
  • at school,
  • in the ecclesia,
  • daily activities chores, errands, appointments
  • And especially at work (as to the Lord),
    preaching to others and instructing believers we
    believe are in error.

106
Blessed are the meek
  • Blessed are
  • The poor in spirit
  • They that mourn
  • The meek
  • They which hunger and thirst after righteousness
  • The merciful
  • The pure in heart
  • The peacemakers
  • The persecuted for righteousness
  • The reviled, falsely accused, for Christ
    rejoice, be glad.
  • The fruit of the Spirit is
  • Longsuffering
  • Faith
  • Meekness
  • Temperance
  • Love
  • Goodness
  • Peace
  • Gentleness
  • Joy

107
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy
  • Count it all joy when ye fall into divers
    temptations James 12
  • Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and
    when they shall separate you, and shall reproach
    you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son
    of mans sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap
    for joy for behold your reward is great in
    heaven Luke 622-23
  • Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for
    when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of
    life, which the Lord hat promised to them that
    love him James 112
  • Joy is our best defense against trials and
    temptations!

108
The Laodicean GAP (Rev. 315-17)
  • They thought they were
  • rich, and increased with goods
  • and had need of nothing
  • THE GAP (lukewarmness)
  • Christ said thou art neither cold nor hot,
  • poor, and blind, and naked

109
Spiritual Clothing
  • Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy
    and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,
    humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
    Forbearing one another, and forgiving one
    another And above all these things put on
    charity love agape which is the bond of
    perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in
    your hearts Col. 312-15
  • Restatement of many aspects of the fruit of the
    Spirit
  • Equivalent to white raiment that Christ wanted
    the Laodiceans to put on to cover their spiritual
    nakedness
  • Only putting off the old, filthy garments will
    leave one in the Gap.

110
But the fruit of the spirit is
  • Love,
  • Joy,
  • Peace,
  • Longsuffering,
  • Gentleness,
  • Goodness,
  • Faith,
  • Meekness,
  • Temperance,
  • against such there is no law
  • Galatians 522-23
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