Producing Character:-
The Importance of the Fruits of the Spirit, is that Jesus said, “by their fruit you shall know them”. After you are born again, you should ask the Lord to fill you with the Holy Spirit, and the result should be seen manifested in the flesh. Jesus taught that a man’s character is to be judged by these fruits of the Holy Spirit in his life. He added that at the day of judgment, many will say they have prophesied, that they possessed gifts of healings, or even working of miracles, and will offer this as proof that they are true believers, yet they will be judged as workers of iniquity. (Math 7:21-25)
What then is the true test of those who are genuine followers of Christ? The Lord does not leave us any doubt, the true test is in the fruits. (Math 15:17)
The implication is clear, even though a man may demonstrate unusual gifts, he is not to be followed unless he also manifests the fruits. To this the Apostle Paul full agrees. In his discussion of the fruits of the Spirit, after urging believers to covet the best or most important gifts, he also added that they must seek the fruits, or the other will not profit them. (1 Cor 13:1-3)
WHAT ARE THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT?
Love:- What God is, and what we ought to be. It is beautifully described in (1 Cor 13) and told out in its’ fullness at the cross of Calvary.
Joy:- Contentment and satisfaction with God and His dealings. Christ displayed it in (John 4:34)
Peace:- This could include the peace of God as well as harmonious relations among Christians.
For peace is the life of the redeemer. (Luke 8:22-25)
Long Suffering:- Patience in afflictions, persecutions. Supreme example. (Luke 23:34)
Gentleness:- Kindness, perhaps best explained in the attitude of our Lord towards little children.
(Mark 10:14)
Goodness:- Kindness shown to others, to see goodness in action, we have to read. (Luke 10:30-35)
Faith:- (i) Trust in God. (ii) Confidence in our fellow Christians. (iii) Fidelity, or Reliability.
Meekness:- Taking the lowly place as Jesus did when he washed his disciples feet. (In 13:1-17)
Temperance:- Self Control. Our lives should be disciplined. Lust, Appetites, Passion, Temper should be ruled. Moderation should be practiced in legitimate things.
(Gal 5:22-23)
What Are the Works of the Flesh?
Gal 5: 19-21 Rom 1:29-31 Math 15:18-19 2 Tim 3:1-5 Mark 7:20-23
How May the Works of the Flesh be Avoided?
Walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:16)
By What is the Love of God shed abroad in the Heat :
By the Holy Ghost. (Rom 5:5)
What does Love Do?
Love covers all sin. (Prov 10:12) (1 Peter 4:8)
But How is this Fruit Produced? Is it by Man’s Efforts?
Not at all!! It is produced as Christians live in communion with the Lord. As they gaze upon the Saviour in loving devotion, and obey Him in daily life, the Holy Spirit works a wonderful miracle. He transforms them into the likeness of Christ. They become like Him by beholding Him. (2 Cor 3:18) Just as a branch derives all its’ life and nourishment from the vine, so the believer in Christ derives his strength from the true vine, and is thus able to live a fruitful life for God.
PRODUCING FRUIT
Fruit is produced in all periods of life.
Psa 92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.
NB!! The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
B. Fruit is also produced Perennially.
zek 47:12 On both sides of the river shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade; neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to His months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Fruit grown on good ground, bringing forth fruit 30, 60, 100 fold. (Math 13:8)
Fruit has many varieties. (Gal 5:22-23)
The Fruit of the Spirit:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-Control
The Fruit of Heavenly Wisdom: (James 3:17)
1. Pure
2. Peaceable
3. Gentle
4. Easy to be entreated
5. Full of Mercy
6. full of Good Fruit
7. Without partiality
8. Without hypocrisy
The Tree of Life: (Gen 3:22)
(Gen 2:9) God made all kinds of trees.
i) Pleasing to the eye
ii) Good for food.
The tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil.
Prov 3:18 Find wisdom and gain understanding, she is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and then you will be blessed. Prov 11:30 The Fruit of Righteousness is a tree of life, He who wins souls is wise. Rev 2:7 The Tree of Life is in the Paradise of God and will be given to him that overcomes, the right to eat of it.
Rev 22:2 On each side of the river of life was the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its’ fruit every month. The leaves are for the healing of the nations.
Conditions for Bearing Fruit:
Contact with the Living Water:
Psa 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does will prosper.
How to be Blessed like this:
a. Do no walk in the counsel of the wicked.
b. Do not stand in the way of the sinners.
c. Do not sit in the seat of mockers.
But
a. Delights in the Law of the Lord.
b. Meditate on the Law day and night.
Spiritual Receptivity:
Math 13:23 The Good Ground is the Heart.
i) Hear the word
ii) Understand the Word.
NB!! Faith cometh by hearing and understanding the word of God.
Death the Old Life:
John 12:24 Condition. The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die, otherwise it abideth alone. It dies it brings forth much fruit.
Chastening and Pruning:
John 15:2 Every branch in Christ that does not produce fruit He taketh away; Every branch in Christ that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Abiding in Christ:
John 15:5 Christ is the vine, we are the branches. Christ in us, and we in Him, without Him there can be no fruit. Rom 6:11-14 Take Authority over your body and life in the same way you consider yourself alive unto God. Rom 6:22 You have been set free from sin, and now are slaves to God.
NB!! The benefits you reap lead to Holiness and results in eternal life.
Heb 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful.
Discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
NB!! The Fruit of the Spirit is the Character of Jesus Christ, the very Nature of God.
As the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have the seed of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and the potential to bear it abundantly to the blessing of all those around us.
The Seed:
Being filled with the Spirit is the initial step in bearing fruit, but that seed must be cultivated, pruned and nourished so that it can grow into a fruitful tree in the Kingdom of God.
NB!! It is not sufficient to have the doctrine of Love, but that Love may flow out of you.
(John 14:15) If you love me, demonstrate it by your actions.
John 8:29 Always please God by doing the things pleasing to Him by obeying His instructions.
THE FRUIT OF LOVE:
towards
i) God (Mark 12:29-30)
ii) One another Action
iii) The last
With all
i) Heart – the center of our beings.
ii) Soul – will, emotions (Luke 7:47) Whoever has been forgiven of much, loves much.
Pour out your emotions in Praise and Worship.
iii) Mind – (Phil 4:8) Your thinking should be on the Lord. Love the Lord with your intellect.
iv) Strength – With all our capacity.
Source of the Seed:
God’s seed of Love.
1 John 4:19 God first loved us.
John 3:16 His great love towards us.
1 John 4:10 Demonstration of His Love
Rom 5:8 Irrespective of our sin,
Rom 8:39 Nothing shall separate us from the love of God.
Eph 3:19 Paul prayed that we might know the love of Christ.
John 15:13 The greatest demonstration of love is to lay down your life for a friend.
1 John 3:1 Called the sons of God, through Love.
Rom 5:5 The Love is placed in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
The fruit of Love is found later on under “Yellow” section, the Character of God.
PEACE
In the Beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
(Math 5:9) This is not your individual “peace with God”, this is the “peace of God”. The Lord has supplied many ways for us to obtain peace, but all have their beginning in Him, because (Psa 29:11) “The Lord will bless His people with peace.”
How to Acquire Peace:
1. (Psa 119:165) If we have the Word of God; “Those who Love thy Law have great peace.”
2. (Isa 32:17) If we are righteous before God; “And the work of righteousness shall be peace.”
3. (Isa 48:22) If we obey the Lords commandments; “There is no peace for the wicked,” but, “If we obey the commandments of our Lord our peace will be like a river. (Isa 48:18)
4. (John 14:27) If we follow after Jesus; “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”
5. (John 16:33) If we listen to the words of Christ; “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.”
6. (Rom 14:19) If we pursue after peace; “So then let us pursue the things which make for peace.”
WALKING IN PEACE:
1. (Mark 9:50) “Have peace one with another,” Jesus said.
2. (1 Thess 5:13) Paul exhorted many of the churches, “be at peace among yourselves.”
3. (1 Cor 7:15) Paul declared that, “God hath called us to peace.”
4. (Eph 4:3) “Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
5. (Rom 12:18) To the Church at Rome Paul admonished, “if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
6. (Heb 12:14) “Follow peace with all men.”
THE BENEFITS OF PEACE:
1. (Col 3:15) We have guidance from God; “Let the peace of God rule (umpire) in your hearts.
2. (Prov 12:20) We have joy; “counselors of peace have joy.”
3. (Psa 37:37) We have prosperity; “For the man of peace will have prosperity”.
4. (Math 5:9) We are called the children of God.
5. (James 3;18) We will sow the fruit of righteousness; and the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
6. (2 Cor 13:4) God is with us.
PATIENCE
It is the little forces that spoil the vines. God exemplified His patience to the wayward children of Israel and Christ revealed His patience to His questioning apostles. (1 Tim 1:16) “and yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” (Rom 2:4) Paul asks the Roman Church, “do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience ?” (Rom 15:5) “Now the God of patience, and consolation grant you to be like minded”. (2 Pet 3:9) “The Lord is not slow about His promise but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to
perish but for all to come to repentance.”
HOW TO ACQUIRE PATIENCE:
1. (Col 3:12) “Put it on,” and so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of patience.”
2. (Col 1:11) Attain patience with joyfulness.
3. (Tim 6:11) Paul Admonished Timothy to, “flee the lusts of the flesh and instead to pursue, righteousness, godliness, patience.”
4. (Rom 5:3) “But we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience.”
5. (James 1:2,3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and patience.
6. (Heb 12:1-2) “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith.”
7. (Eph 4:12) Paul reminds us, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with patience.”
OUR REWARDS FOR PATIENCE:
1. (Heb 6:12) We will inherit the promises of God: “be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
2. (Heb 6:15) After Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
3. (Heb 10:36) “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
4. (Luk 8:15) We will bring forth fruit. The Sower sows the seed, believers having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
5. (Jam 1:4) We will be perfect (mature). “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect (mature) and entire, wanting nothing.”
SCRIPTURES ON PATIENCE:
Eph 4:2 Rom 12:12
Psa 37:7 2 Pet 1:6
James 1:19 Isa 40:31
Psa 40:1,2 Psa 27:14
KINDNESS
(Eph 4:32) “And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Gods Kindness:
(Rom 2:4) God, who has blessed us with “the riches of His kindness”.
(Neh 9:17) “But thou art a God of great kindness.”
(Isa 54:10) “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee.” (Titus 3:4,5) Paul declared to Titus that the kindness of God resulted in our salvation, “But when the kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us.”
Encouragement for Kindness:
1. (Prov 19:22) “What is desirable in a man is his kindness,” said Solomon in all his wisdom.
2. (Prov 31:26) Solomon speaking of an “excellent wife,” notes one of the many virtues as, “the teaching of kindness on her tongue”.
3. (Eph 4:32) “Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
4. (Rom 12:10) “Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love.”
5. (Col 3:12) “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness.”
Benefits of our Kindness:
1. (James 1:27) We will have the Fathers approval. James admonishes us to visit orphans and widows in their distress.” this is “pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father.”
2. (Math 10:42) We will keep our reward; Jesus promised, “Whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he will not lose his
reward.”
3. (Math 25:35,36) We will inherit the Kingdom.
4. (Math 25:34) Jesus has promised it to us saying, “come ye who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Scriptures on Kindness:
2 Pet 1:2-3 Heb 13:2 Eph 4:31-32
Prov 31:26 Col 3:19
GOODNESS
The Source of Goodness:
(Psa 34:8) “O test and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth Him”.
(Psa 33:5) “The Earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”
(Psa 52:1) “The goodness of God endureth continually.”
Encouragement for Goodness:
1. (Luke 6:27) “do good to them that hate you.”
2. (Heb 13:27) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men.”
3. (Heb 13:16) “And do not neglect doing good and sharing.”
4. (Rom 12:9) “Abhor that which is evil, to that which is good.”
5. (1 Thess 5:15) “Ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
6. (Titus 5:15) We are to be a people “zealous for good deeds”
7. (Col 1:10) Bearing fruit in every good work.
8. (Math 15:16) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Benefits of Goodness:
1. (Luke 6:35) “do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward shall be great”.
2. (Rom 11:22) We reap goodness: “Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good. (Psa 125:4) and we receive goodness if we “continue in His goodness.”
3. (Prov 12:2) We obtain favor: “A good man obtaineth favor with the Lord”.
4. (Prov 11:27) “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor.”
5. (Prov 13:22) We leave an inheritance. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children.
6. (Prov 14:14) We are satisfied: “The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.
7. (Rom 13:3) We receive praise from authority.
8. (Rom 2:9-10) We have glory, honor, praise.
9. (Ecc 2:26) We wisdom, knowledge and joy.
10.(Psa 37:27) We have eternal life. “Depart from evil, and do good: and dwell for evermore.”
Scriptures on Goodness:
Psa 139:23 Luke 6:45 Prov 22:1
Psa 51:10 Eph 5:8,9 1 Pet 2:1
Prov 11:18 Phil 4:8 Psa 11:7
FAITHFULNESS
Faithfulness means, good faith, fidelity. A faithful person is one who is trustworthy. Faithfulness covers,
books that have been borrowed, your word that is given, it also means punctuality, cleaning up after
oneself etc.
(Luke 16:10) “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
Faithfulness is the one outstanding virtue praised by Jesus in the parable of the talents. “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the Joy of the Lord. (Math 25:23) Peter says (1 Peter 4:10) “be good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Cor 4:2) Paul tells us, to be good stewards, a man must be found faithful.
Gods Faithfulness to us:
(Psa 36:5) “Thy loving kindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psa 89:1) “With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations”. (Psa 89:33) “I will not deal falsely in my faithfulness” (Deut 7:9) Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the Faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousand generations. (Lam 3:28) Jeremiah cries to the Lord, “Great is thy faithfulness”. (Heb 10:23) He who promised is faithful.
The Rewards of our Faithfulness:
1. (Heb 11:8-12) Because Abraham was faithful before God, God established a momentous covenant with Him.
2. (Neh 7:2) Nehemiah placed in authority over the entire city because he was a faithful man.
3. (Neh 13:13) Other men who were faithful, chosen as treasurers over all the treasuries of the city.
4. (1 Cor 4:1,2) Paul says that a faithful man will be made “steward of the mysteries of God”.
5. (1 Tim 1:12) Paul admonishes Timothy that God will strengthen those He considers faithful, putting them into service for Jesus Christ.
6. (2 Tim 2:2) Paul cautions Timothy to entrust the truths of the gospel to faithful men.
Scriptures on Faithfulness:
Prov 28:20 1 Tim 1:12 Luke 16:10
1 Com 4:2 Math 24:45-47 Math 25:23
Rev 2:10
GENTLENESS
(Gal 5:23) Gentleness includes meekness and humility. (James 4:6) “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” Jesus said of Himself, “I am gentle and humble in heart.” Ye He drove the money chargers out of the Temple. Moses (Num. 12:3) is another great example of gentleness, for he was more humble than any man who was on the face of the Earth, Yet he exercised the greatest authority in the Old Testament.
The Lords Gentleness:
1. (Isa 40:11) “He shall gently lead those that are with young”.
2. (Psa 18:35) David proclaimed to the Lord, “thy gentleness hath made me great”.
3. (2 Cor 10:1) Paul speaks of the “gentleness of Christ”
4. (James 3:17) Wisdom from above is gentle.
5. (Math 16:29) Jesus said of Himself, “I am gentle and humble in heart”.
Encouragement for Gentleness:
1. (Zeph 2:3) Seek meekness.
2. (Col 3:12) Put on a heart of gentleness.
3. (1 Thess 2:7) Paul spoke of himself and those men who served with him, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.”
4. (2 Tim 2:24,25) Be gentle unto all men, in meekness.
5. (Gal 6:1) Paul says to restore a brother who had sinned in the spirit of meekness.
6. (Eph 4:1,2) “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness.”
7. (Titus 3:2) “Be gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.”
The rewards of Gentleness and Meekness:
1. (Psa 25:9) We have Guidance.
2. (Psa 147:6) We are Uplifted.
3. (Psa 22:26) We are Satisfied.
4. (Isa 29:19) We have Joy.
5. (Psa 149:4) We have Salvation.
6. (Math 5:5) We have a great Inheritance
7. (Psa 37:11) We have an inheritance and great Peace.
Scriptures on Gentleness:
Col 3:13 James 1:26 2 Tim 2:24
1 Pet 3:4 1 Thess 5:14 Prov 18:21
Psa 18:35 Prov 15:1 Titus 3:2
SELF CONTROL
Self control or temperance. This is not legalism that would put anybody under condemnation. (Rom 8:1,2) Says that there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Self control is freedom not bondage. (1 John 4:19) “We love Him, because He first loved us.” This is where we find self control, the free and happy man who is a prisoner of the Lord.
Temptation is not sin, Only if we yield to it does it become sin. Self control is one answer to sin.
The Bible says of the Lord, “He is slow to anger.” This is the manner of self control.
(Prov 16:32) He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Prov 25:28) Like a city that is broken into and without walls, is a man who has no control over his spirit. (2 Tim 2:22) Paul cautions Timothy to flee youthful lusts. (1 Peter 2:11) Abstain from fleshly lusts. (Phil 4:5) Let our moderation be known unto all men. (Titus 1:7-8) The overseer must be above reproach as Gods steward, sensible, just, devout, self controlled. (Titus 2:12) Paul tells Titus to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensible, righteously and Godly in the present age. (1 Cor 6:12) All things are lawful unto me, but not all things are profitable.
All things are lawful for me,
but I will not be matered (enslaved) by anything.
(1 Cor 9:27) I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (1 Cor 9:25) And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1 Cor 9:24) “Let us therefore run the race God has set before us in self-control, in such a way that we may win!”
Scriptures on Self Control:
James 3:2 Prov 13:3 Prov 10:19 Phil 2:4
Eph 4:26 James 1:19 James 1:26 Prov 25:28