5
Walking with the Spirit
Question 1:
What childhood experience taught you the importance of character?
THE POINT
The Holy Spirit leads us to display the fruit of godly character.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
In an online article, Jim Rohn has identified “6 Essential Traits of Good Character.”1 The traits he listed are integrity, honesty, loyalty, self-sacrifice, accountability, and self-control. These are good traits that square with the biblical idea of character. Still, while his article explains what these traits are and why they are important, he offered nothing about how to develop those traits or this good character.
Perhaps Rohn thinks character development is simple. He might agree with Yoda from Star Wars: “Do or do not; there is no try.” That may work for Luke Skywalker in a fictional story, but reality leads us to say with the apostle Paul: “For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate” (Rom. 7:15).
We understand the importance of character. But being a person of unimpeachable character is a struggle. How do we do it? In Galatians 5, Paul argued that even the law could not change a person’s character. To live with the right character—godly character—we must be changed by God from the inside out.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Galatians 5:16-18
16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The key to godly character is to “walk by the Spirit.” Walking is often used as a metaphor for the Christian life, or as Michael Kuykendall writes, “a description of conducting one’s life in relationship to God.”2 So, walking by the Spirit suggests a life lived in communion with God through the Holy Spirit. As the disciples once walked with Jesus, now all believers can walk with the Spirit.
Paul used four parallel figures of speech in Galatians 5. Just as we are to “walk in the Spirit,” we are to be “led by the Spirit,” “live by the Spirit” (v. 25), and “keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25). The emphasis is on listening to the Spirit and following His direction. In contrast to strictly following the Jewish law, Paul emphasized having a relationship that motivates us to follow the Holy Spirit.
Only by walking in the Spirit can we hope to overcome “the desire of the flesh.” By flesh Paul meant more than the physical body. Paul used the word frequently in his writings to reference the sinful nature into which we are born (Rom. 7:5,18; 8:3-9; Gal. 3:3).
Consequently, the “flesh … and the Spirit” are at war within the believer. The desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are not merely different, they “are opposed to each other”—they are incompatible.
The last phrase in verse 17, “you don’t do what you want,” is interpreted by some to mean that, if you want to follow the desires of the flesh, the Spirit won’t allow you to do so. However, it’s best to interpret this from the perspective that you want to do what God desires, but your flesh entices you to sin.
Question 2:
How would you describe the day-to-day battle between the flesh and the Spirit?
Paul wanted believers to know that we will continue to struggle with sin. As long as we live in this world, we won’t be finished with sin. We won’t have victory in the war with sin because we tried harder to control our flesh, but because of our life in the Spirit. It’s only when we are “led by the Spirit” that we avoid the failure of sin.
The practical question is, how do we walk by the Spirit? When Paul wrote to the Colossian believers, he instructed, “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col. 3:2). When our minds are occupied with the things of this world, we have difficulty keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, when we intentionally think about, dwell on, and meditate on the things of God’s kingdom, we find the Spirit leading our lives more easily. Saturating our minds with Scripture has a way of pushing out the things of this world!
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul illustrated the difference between the flesh and the Spirit by offering lists of those actions and attitudes that characterize each. He began with “the works of the flesh” and noted that these works “are obvious.” We can divide these works of the flesh into five groups.
- Sexual sins. These included “sexual immorality, moral impurity, [and] promiscuity.” Sexual immorality is a general term referring to any illicit sexual activity. The word translated moral impurity literally means “unclean.” The word translated promiscuity can also be translated as “sensuality” or “lewdness.”
- Spiritual infidelity. When people commit “idolatry” and “sorcery,” they are looking to other things as their gods. Idolatry occurs when we place anything before God. The word translated sorcery is pharmakia from which we get the word pharmacy. In sorcery, the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers.3
- Relational sins. These are sins seen in our relationships: “hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger.” Each of these sins creates tension with others, erects barriers between people, and destroys relationships. Whether it is the cold stare of hatred or the hot outburst of vicious and angry words, these actions embody the flesh.
Engage
FLESH OR SPIRIT?
Answer each question by circling a word or phrase, or just by pondering inwardly. Pray for God’s help to see yourself accurately and seek Him for change.
Which of these works of the flesh are still an issue in your life at times?
sexual immoralitymoral impuritypromiscuityidolatrysorcery
hatredsstrifejealousy outbursts of angerselfishness
ambitionsdissensionsfactionsenvydrunkennesscarousing
anything similar
Which part of the fruit of the Spirit have you seen the Spirit of God grow in your life?
lovejoypeacepatiencekindnessgoodnessfaithfulness
gentlenessself-controlsuch things
My Prayer:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
- Sins against the community. These sins include improper leadership and divisions between people. Paul began with “selfish ambitions.” Ambition is not necessarily a bad thing, but it becomes so when personal drive is placed before the needs of others. “Dissensions” and “factions” are two ways of dividing the community. “Envy” is also disruptive to the community.
- Sins of decadence. Paul warned against “drunkenness” and “carousing.” Carousing is mentioned three times in the New Testament (See also Rom. 13:13; 1 Peter 4:3). Each time it is linked to drunkenness. A lifestyle of indulgence is inconsistent with the life of a Christian.
Paul concluded with one more caution against “anything similar” to stress that his list was not exhaustive. When Paul said, “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” he identified in no uncertain terms the end result of “the works of the flesh.” The flesh leads to sin, death, and hell, but people who belong to God do not live this way.
Question 3:
What stands out to you about this list of sinful behavior?
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
We don’t become godly by our efforts. It’s the Holy Spirit who produces godly character in the lives of believers. As we pursue life in the Spirit, He grows fruit in our lives that reflects the character of our Father.
The flesh seduces us to sexual immorality, but the Spirit produces “self-control.” The self-controlled person avoids recklessness and impulsive decisions. The flesh tempts us to spiritual infidelity, but the Holy Spirit produces “faithfulness.” We faithfully follow the Lord Jesus because of our love for Him.
The flesh entices us to relational sins of jealousy, strife, and anger, but the Spirit produces “love,” “patience,” and “kindness.” The Spirit empowers us to love as God loves. Patience means we are not easily offended by others. Kindness is the act of treating others as we want to be treated. While the works of the flesh destroy relationships, these fruit of the Spirit grow healthy relationships.
Question 4:
When have you seen a person exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit really impact the kingdom of God?
The flesh lures us to sins against the community like selfish ambitions and dissensions, but the Spirit produces “peace.” When disagreement arises, the flesh creates rivalries, but the Spirit brings peace both within believers and between them.
The flesh calls us to decadent sins of drunkenness and carousing, but the Spirit produces “joy,” “goodness,” and “gentleness.” Joy is a sense of delight that comes from knowing God. I like how Timothy George defines “goodness” and “gentleness”: Goodness is “the idea of benevolence and generosity” and gentleness is a “submissive and teachable spirit toward God.”4 The flesh looks for artificial ways to feel good, but the Spirit gives us a genuine sense of well-being.
The Christian life involves choosing to walk in the Spirit which means not indulging the desires of our flesh. As we do this daily, the Spirit produces His godly character in us. He leads us away from the deeds of the flesh and grows us in the fruit of a godly life.
Question 5:
What are some ways our group helps us keep in step with the Spirit?
5. Walking with the Spirit - The Holy Spirit leads us to display the fruit
of godly character.
What happens when we walk with someone?
Imagine that you and a close friend are
enjoying a walk down a country lane. You are in proximity. You talk, laugh,
listen, and share your hearts. Your attention is focused on this person to the exclusion
of almost everything else. You notice the beauty around you or an occasional
distraction, but only to point it out to your companion. You share it together.
You are in harmony, and you both enjoy the peaceful camaraderie.
Walking with God is like that.
When we enter an intimate heart relationship
with God through faith in His Son (Hebrews 10:22), He becomes our heart’s
greatest desire. Knowing Him, hearing His voice, sharing our hearts with Him,
and seeking to please Him become our all-consuming focus. He becomes everything
to us. Meeting with Him is not an activity reserved for Sunday morning. We live
to fellowship with Him. A. W. Tozer states that the goal of every Christian
should be to "live in a state of unbroken worship." This is only
possible when we walk with God.
Just as walking with a close friend requires
saying "no" to many other things, so walking with God requires
letting go of anything that would be a distraction. If you were on a walk with
a friend but you brought a kazoo and played it the whole time, the walk would
not be satisfying for either of you. Many people attempt to walk with God, but
they bring along kazoo-like habits, sins, worldly entertainments, or unhealthy
relationships. They know these things are not God’s choice for them, but they
pretend everything is fine. The relationship is not satisfying to either of
them. To walk with God means that you and God agree about your life. “Can two
walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3, KJV). To walk with God means
you have aligned your will with His and seek every day to consider yourself
"crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20). You don’t have to be
perfect, as none of us is (Romans 3:10). But your heart’s desire is to be
pleasing to God, and you are willing to let His Spirit conform you to the image
of His Son (Romans 8:29).
When the Bible speaks of "walking,"
it often refers to a lifestyle. We can walk in the ways of the world as well (2
Kings 8:27; Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 3:7). In the New Testament, walking with
God is often called "walking in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16; Romans
8:4). To walk with God means we choose to glorify Him in every way we can,
regardless of personal cost. And there is a cost. Walking with God also means
we cannot also walk with evil people as companions (Psalm 1:1-3). We choose the
narrow road over the broad way to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). We don’t live
to please our sinful flesh (Romans 13:14). We seek to eliminate from our lives
everything that does not enhance our walk with Him (Hebrews 12:2). We apply 1
Corinthians 10:31 literally: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you
do, do it all for the glory of God." God’s ways are reflected in our
thoughts, our actions, our motivations, and our life choices because we spend
so much time with Him.
Many Bible scholars consider Galatians to be
the earliest of Paul’s letters. The letter is focused on defending the gospel
truth that sinners are justified and live godly lives by trusting in Jesus
Christ alone. In the verses that comprise this session, Paul dealt with the
ongoing internal struggle believers have with living according to the Spirit as
opposed to fulfilling the desires of the flesh. He described some works that
come from living to satisfy the flesh in contrast to the fruit that are
produced in the believer’s life by the Holy Spirit. The struggle Paul described
is no less real in our hearts today.
Galatians 5:16-18
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will
certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is
against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are
opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led
by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
1. Walking by the Spirit keeps us from fulfilling
sinful desires.
· The point is living with complete dependence on
the Spirit, that Person of the Godhead who dwells within the believer.
· The Spirit-led lifestyle enables a person to
reject the desires of the flesh—one’s carnal nature that leads to sin.
· The way of the Spirit is adversarial to the way
of the flesh; the two ways cannot coexist.
· Choose the way of the Spirit, for therein lies
freedom from anything that would seek to enslave a person to a sinful
lifestyle.
How does the Spirit help you avoid sinful choices?
· Our whole way of life is lived according to the
rule of the gospel, as the Spirit moves us toward obedience. When we walk in
the Spirit, we find that the sinful appetites of the flesh have no more
dominion over us.
What does it look like for a believer to walk
with the Holy Spirit?
· We yield to His control, we follow His lead,
and we allow Him to exert His influence over us.
· We rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in
thought, word, and deed (Romans 6:11–14).
Galatians 5 examines the work of the Holy
Spirit in the believer. The context is freedom from the Law of Moses (Galatians
5:1). Those who walk in the Spirit “eagerly await by faith the righteousness
for which we hope” (verse 5) and are free from the Law (verse 18). Also, those
who walk in the Spirit “will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (verse 16).
The flesh—our fallen nature under the power of sin—is in direct conflict with
the Spirit (verse 17). When the flesh is in charge, the results are obvious
(verses 19–21). But when the Spirit is in control, He produces godly qualities
within us, apart from the strictures of the Law (verses 22–23). Believers “have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (verse 24), and now we walk
in the Spirit (verse 25).
This is the thrust of what this passage is
revealing to us. Paul is instructing us to keep in step with the Holy Spirit as
we walk with Him. Walking in the Spirit means submitting ourselves to the
presence and person of the Holy Spirit. It means allowing the Holy Spirit to be
our lead and our guide. To do the opposite of this, is to allow our flesh to
lead and guide us. We have the responsibility to stay in step with the Spirit
and not with our flesh.
The practical question is, how do we walk by
the Spirit?
When Paul wrote to the Colossian believers, he
instructed, “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”
(Col. 3:2). When our minds are occupied with the things of this world, we have
difficulty keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, when we
intentionally think about, dwell on, and meditate on the things of God’s
kingdom, we find the Spirit leading our lives more easily. Saturating our minds
with Scripture has a way of pushing out the things of this world!
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual
immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy,
drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things
— as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit
the kingdom of God.
2. Walking in the flesh leads to sinful
behavior.
· Living according to human desire will manifest
itself in a person’s behavior, attitude, and overall lifestyle.
· No one who lives by the standards of the world
is fit for the kingdom of God.
· Don’t ignore the warnings that are found in
God’s Word.
Nothing in the list is what we would consider a
desirable quality, enviable character trait, or admirable behavior. They which
do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Apparently, this was not
the first time Paul had offered this admonition. Perhaps he had also told them
before or in time past when he had visited them personally. Does his statement
mean that one’s behavior determines whether one enters God’s kingdom? No, but
such behavior is evidence that one is not living under the influence and
control of the Holy Spirit, for such behavior is incompatible with His
presence. And without His presence a person is not fit to enter the kingdom.
“The kingdom of God is the rule of God at the end of time and also its presence
already in the lives of believers. Participation in this kingdom means control
by the Spirit. It excluded a life which is controlled by the flesh and which
manifested this control in works such as Paul had described.” 4
Why do believers sometimes yield to their
fleshly nature?
"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.”
(Romans 7:15)
A key fact to note is that even though Paul
struggled with things he did not want to do; he still hated those things. As believers,
we now have the Holy Spirit living within us, and our passions are different
than before. If someone lives “according to the flesh,” then that will be their
passion and desire.
The Bible provides a three-step process for
overcoming the flesh and restoring oneself to a right relationship with God.
1. The first step is a walk of honesty
where a person acknowledges his sinful behavior before God. This involves
agreeing with what the Bible says about everyone born of human parents: people
are sinners and enter the world in a broken relationship with the God who made
them:
• "If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O
Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3)
• "If we say that we have no sin, we are
deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. . . . If we say that we have
not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8, 10)
2. The next step is a walk in the Spirit,
which involves calling out to God for salvation and receiving His Holy Spirit
who empowers a person to live rightly before God and not obey the flesh’s
desires. This transformation and new walk of life is described in several
places in Scripture:
• “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is
no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in
the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up
for me." (Galatians 2:20)
• "Even so consider yourselves to be dead
to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11)
• "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you
will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)
• "For all of you who were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)
• "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13:14)
• "And do not get drunk with wine, for
that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18)
• "Your word I have treasured in my heart,
that I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11)
3. The last step is a walk of death, where
the flesh is starved of its desires so that it eventually dies. Even though a
person is born again through the Spirit of God, he must understand he still
possesses the old nature with its desires that war with the new nature and the
desires that come from the Spirit. From a practical standpoint, the Christian
purposely avoids feeding the old, fleshly nature and instead practices new
behaviors that are driven by the Spirit:
• "But flee from [sinful actions], you man
of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and
gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11)
• “Now flee from youthful lusts” (2 Timothy
2:22)
• "But I discipline my body and make it my
slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
“(1 Corinthians 9:27)
• "Therefore consider the members of your
earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed,
which amounts to idolatry." (Colossians 3:5)
• "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus
have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24)
• "Knowing this, that our old self was
crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so
that we would no longer be slaves to sin" (Romans 6:6)
• "But you did not learn Christ in this
way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is
in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the
old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and
that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which
in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the
truth." (Ephesians 4:20-24)
How do we know when we are out of step with the
Holy Spirit?
We are out of step with the Holy Spirit when
people see the worst of us and not the best of us. The worst of us — sexual
immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy,
drunkenness, carousing — each come from a life of disobedience.
Hatred
is hostility that leads to enmity with another.
Variance
(“strife,” CSB, ESV, NASB; “discord,” NIV) suggests quarreling,
contentiousness, strife.
Emulations
can denote zeal or ardor, which in this list probably is the kind of
zealousness that leads to contentious rivalry and “jealousy” (CSB, ESV, NIV,
NASB).
Wrath
(thymos) is boiling over with anger (“outbursts of anger,” CSB, NASB; “fits of
rage” NIV).
Strife
is a synonym for contentiousness, but in this list, it could be caused by a
partisan spirit in which one seeks to promote himself or herself over another;
hence the CSB and NIV render it as “selfish ambition.”
Seditions
are any kind of “dissensions” (CSB, NIV, ESV, NASB) or divisions.
Heresies
are disagreements that arise from diverse opinions and aims that results in
“factions,” (CSB, NIV) or “divisions,” (ESV). Notice that most of these words
deal with mental attitudes in the context of social relationships.
Envyings
is jealousy and ill-will spawned by envy.
Murders
(another word that does not appear in older manuscripts, so is not included in
some contemporary translations) is malicious slaughtering or killing.
Drunkenness denotes
intoxication.
Revellings
(“orgies,” ESV, NIV) is “carousing” (CSB, NASB), especially the kind of
nocturnal frolicking that often results from intoxication.
And such like is
Paul’s way of covering “anything similar” (CSB) that he left out or did not
identify specifically. He said enough to make his point of the kind of things
that come from choosing to live life under the domination of worldly instincts,
inclinations, and desires.
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit,
let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
3. Walking by the Spirit produces Christlike character.
· If we live by the Spirit we think and act
differently because we have been made different.
· The fruit of the Spirit is a product of the
Holy Spirit, not human effort.
· To walk in the Spirit is accompanied by taking
deliberate action to reject the ways of the flesh.
It does not result from what a person does, but
rather are the traits of what a person is because of the activity of the Holy
Spirit. For instance, an apple tree produces apples because it is an apple
tree. An apple tree does not do anything to produce the apples. It is the
nature of an apple tree to produce apples; it can’t do anything else.
The fruit of the Spirit is the result of the
indwelling work of the Spirit in the life of the believer.
Before we identify the fruit of the Spirit,
consider how we are to understand them. The word fruit is singular not plural.
That suggests that what follows is not a list of nine fruits but the qualities
of the one single fruit produced by the Holy Spirit. In that sense, fruit is a
comprehensive term that identifies what a believer in Christ—one who walks in
the Spirit—is.
Think again about an apple. Describe all the
qualities that make a Fuji apple what it is. Consider its color inside and out,
shape, crispness, juiciness, sweetness, and overall flavor. All those factors
make the Fuji apple what it is; distinguishing it from all other varieties of
apples or fruits. Perhaps that is the way we should view the fruit of the
Spirit; not as individual qualities that a person may or may not have but as
the composite of qualities that mark one as a believer living in the Spirit. Such
a view means we cannot pick and choose or excuse ourselves by saying we don’t
have one of the fruits. No, Paul is saying this is what a believer living in
the Spirit is. That does not mean these qualities are all equal in a believer,
but they are present in some way to some degree.
How do believers exhibit the qualities of the
fruit of the Spirit?
He produces His fruit in those yielded to Him
(Galatians 5:22–23). Believers are to submit to the will of God and walk in the
Spirit.
This is the only way to develop the fruit of
the Spirit
Clue: The answer lies in the word “Spirit …”
Not with our own strength
Many Christians, upon being converted and
reading about the fruit of the Spirit that they are called to, try and polish
up their lives so that more of the fruit listed above comes forth. They labor
and strive in their own strength to develop the fruit of the Spirit, but that
doesn’t get them very far. Maybe they come to achieve a little more love, a
little more goodness, a little more patience, but there comes a point where
they fall short, or where they just “can’t bear it anymore.”
The fruit of the Spirit is the fruit of God’s
work in our lives when we are obedient to the Holy Spirit, not the fruit of our
own strength, and produces “all joy and peace” (Romans 15:13), “all lowliness
and gentleness, with longsuffering.” (Ephesians 4:2) “For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Ephesians 5:9. “…
strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience
and longsuffering with joy …” Colossians 1:11. Such abundant fruit-bearing can
only occur when we are strengthened with all might by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and hence is referred to as the fruit of the Spirit.
They (Fruit) cannot be produced by adherence to
the law; neither can they be controlled or regulated by the law.
Why is producing Christlike character more of a
journey than an accomplishment?
Those who walk in the Spirit are united with
Him and are the bearers of the fruit the Spirit produces.
Those who walk in the Spirit:
1. walk in love
— they live in love for God and for their
fellow man.
2. walk in joy
— they exhibit gladness in what God has done,
is doing, and will do.
3. walk in peace
— they live worry-free and refuse anxiety.
4. walk in patience
— they are known for having a “long fuse” and
do not lose their temper.
5. walk in kindness
— they show tender concern for the needs of
others.
6. walk in goodness
— their actions reflect virtue and holiness.
7. walk in faithfulness
— they are steadfast in their trust of God and
His Word.
8. walk in gentleness
— their lives are characterized by humility,
grace, and thankfulness to God.
9. walk in self-control
— they display moderation, constraint, and the
ability to say “no” to the flesh.
1. Love is
the familiar word agape, which in the first century was a common word for love
or affection; in the New Testament it has come to represent an unconditional,
sacrificial kind of love—God-like love.
2. Joy (chara)
denotes a spirit of rejoicing that is not dependent on circumstances.
3. Peace
(eirene) is a state of tranquility that is present even in the midst of
conflict.
4. Longsuffering
(makrothymia; “patience,” CSB, ESV, NASB; “forbearance,” NIV) is the ability to
remain steadfast even when a situation might ordinarily produce a vengeful
spirit.
5. Gentleness
(chrestotes; “kindness” (ESV, NIV) suggests moral goodness and integrity.
6. Goodness
(from agathos, meaning good, pleasant, agreeable) speaks to an uprightness of
heart and life.
7. Faith
(pistis; “faithfulness,” CSB, ESV, NIV, NASB) likely denotes having the
character of one who is trustworthy.
8. Meekness
(praotes; “gentleness,” CSB, ESV, NIV, NASB) suggests a gentle spirit,
mild-mannered. Unfortunately, meekness is too often considered as weakness,
when in truth it may be more accurate to think of it as the strength to maintain
self-control; hence, a kind of disciplined strength. In the first century the
word was used to describe an animal that had been tamed and brought under
control.
9. Temperance
(egkrateia; “self-control,” CSB, ESV, NIV, NASB) is the virtue of a person who
masters his desires, passions, and sensual appetites.
We don’t become godly by our efforts. It’s the
Holy Spirit who produces godly character in the lives of believers. As we
pursue life in the Spirit, He grows fruit in our lives that reflects the
character of our Father.
The flesh seduces us to sexual immorality, but
the Spirit produces “self-control.” The self-controlled person avoids
recklessness and impulsive decisions. The flesh tempts us to spiritual
infidelity, but the Holy Spirit produces “faithfulness.” We faithfully follow
the Lord Jesus because of our love for Him.
The flesh entices us to relational sins of
jealousy, strife, and anger, but the Spirit produces “love,” “patience,” and
“kindness.” The Spirit empowers us to love as God loves. Patience means we are
not easily offended by others. Kindness is the act of treating others as we
want to be treated. While the works of the flesh destroy relationships, this
fruit of the Spirit grow healthy relationships.
The flesh lures us to sins against the
community like selfish ambitions and dissensions, but the Spirit produces
“peace.” When disagreement arises, the flesh creates rivalries, but the Spirit
brings peace both within believers and between them.
The flesh calls us to decadent sins of drunkenness
and carousing, but the Spirit produces “joy,” “goodness,” and “gentleness.” Joy
is a sense of delight that comes from knowing God. The flesh looks for
artificial ways to feel good, but the Spirit gives us a genuine sense of
well-being.
The Christian life involves choosing to walk in
the Spirit which means not indulging the desires of our flesh. As we do this
daily, the Spirit produces His godly character in us. He leads us away from the
deeds of the flesh and grows us in the fruit of a godly life.
Conclusion:
It is not difficult to identify people who walk
with God. Their lives are a stark contrast to the world around them, like stars
in a nighttime sky (Philippians 2:15). They produce the fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22-23) rather than the fruit of fleshly desire (Galatians
5:19-21). In Acts 4:13 Peter and John had been arrested for preaching and were
brought before the authorities. "The members of the council were amazed
when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were
ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized
them as men who had been with Jesus." When we walk with God every day, the
world cannot help but recognize that, in spite of our imperfections and lack of
knowledge in some areas, we have been with Jesus.
The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Paul, in Ephesians 1:14 tells us that the Holy
Spirit “is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the
possession, to the praise of His glory.” How do we know if we truly have the
Spirit of God within us? The Fruit of the Spirit is a great blessing from God
and should be evident in the life of all Christians. What is the Fruit of the
Spirit?
Fruit (not Works or Gifts)
There is a big difference between works and
fruit. Work is something you do while fruit is the result an action. In verses
19-21, Paul spoke of the works of the flesh. These works are desires/impulses
of the flesh that are sinful. Those who are born again (John 3:3) have the
Spirit of God within them. We must not confuse the Fruit of the Spirit with the
Gifts from the Spirit. Spiritual Gifts are given by God “for the common good”
(1 Cor 12:7). Romans 12:6 tells us that we each have “gifts that differ
according to the grace given to us.” Spiritual gifts are given by God and they
vary amongst His children. Some Christians are gifted teachers and/or
preachers. Some Christians are especially gifted in service or exhortation or
discernment. The Fruit of the Spirit is similar but different than Spiritual
Gifts. Whereas, different Christians are gifted differently, every Christian
has the Fruit of the Spirit. It is called “Fruit” because it is the result of
the action that is taken by God in giving us the Holy Spirit.
Fruit (not Fruits)
It is important to remember that the fruit
mentioned is singular (Fruit), not plural (Fruits). The qualities listed below
all make up the Fruit of the Spirit. Remember, these are not gifts, but Fruit.
There is 1 fruit with 9 aspects to it. Just as an apple has a peel, core, stem,
etc., so too does the fruit of the Spirit have many aspects. The Fruit of the
Spirit is the natural result of being converted by Jesus Christ and the 9
characteristics are unified and should be displayed simultaneously as they are
the proof of being born again and of a godly character.
The Fruit of the Spirit
What is the Fruit of the Spirit? Paul writes it
is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Let’s consider them in more detail:
Love – Love is a crucial aspect of the Fruit of
the Spirit because God is love (1 John 4:8). It is God’s unconditional love
that flows to us, in us, and through us. Our love for one another is part of
our testimony. This includes our love for our neighbors (including our
enemies). Love clearly reflects the character of God. Ask yourself: “Is my love
selfish or godly? How can I show Christ-like love this week?”
Joy – Joy is mentioned next because when our
desires and affections are rightly aligned with Christ, the result is great
joy. We are to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4). With the Spirit of God
within us, we always have a reason to rejoice. Ask yourself: “What do I delight
in? Is it selfish or godly?”
Peace – Peace is mentioned because it is the
result of a heart reconciled to God through Christ (Rom 5:1). The worst thing
that can happen to you (eternal damnation) is now impossible because you have
been redeemed. Because of Jesus, we have no reason to worry. Ask yourself: “Why
am I anxious? Why am I worried about what I am worried about?”
Patience – Patience is related to peace because
it means we submit to God’s will and plan and forsake our own. We are still and
wait for the Lord because we know His purpose and plan is far better than ours.
Ask yourself: “Am I trying to make something happen or am I trusting God? Am I
able to wait for the Lord to give an answer or trying to get God to approve my
answer?”
Kindness – Kindness means showing goodness,
sympathy, empathy, hospitality, and generosity towards others. It is being
considerate of others and thinking of their needs before yourself. Ask
yourself: “Am I friendly to others or am I only friendly to certain people? Am
I able to empathize with others or do I try to keep my distance?”
Goodness – Goodness is our working for what is
right. It is repulsion of sin and a desire for what is good. It is the focus on
doing everything for God’s glory and the good of others, rather than for
selfish gain. Ask yourself: “Do I delight in sin or do I abhor it? What do I
delight in? What do I admire and desire?”
Faithfulness – Faithfulness is trustworthiness.
It means we consistently do what we say we will do, and we make a practice of
doing what is good. Ask yourself: “Do I make promises I don’t keep or cannot
keep? Do I do what I say I will do?”
Gentleness – Gentleness means not being easily
provoked or irritable. It is not getting easily angered. Gentleness does not
mean being weak or frightened, but it is the ability to focus less on yourself
and more on strengthening and encouraging others. Ask yourself: “What usually
makes me angry? Am I kind to others? Who can I encourage this week?”
Self-Control – Self-control is the discipline
given by the Holy Spirit that allows Christians to deny themselves, resist the
power of the flesh, and to desire what is good. The devil doesn’t make you do
anything! Your spouse and your children cannot make you react sinfully. The
Spirit of God has given us the ability to control our thoughts, words, and
actions. Ask yourself: “When was the last time I resisted temptation? Do I
excuse my bad behavior, or do I seek to control my behavior in the pursuit of
godliness?”
Examine your life. Are you producing the Fruit
of the Spirit? If not, come to Christ in repentance and faith. Become a
Christian and receive the Spirit of God within you. Be reconciled to God
through Christ. If so, keep cultivating this fruit in your life and “live your
life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27).
How can I become more Christlike?
Becoming more like Christ is the desire of
every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for
us. In fact, the Bible says that God “predestined [believers] to be conformed
to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). Making us Christlike is God’s work,
and He will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6).
However, the fact that God will transform us
into Christlikeness doesn’t mean we can sit back and be carried to heaven “on
flow’ry beds of ease.” The process demands our willing cooperation with the
Holy Spirit. Becoming more Christlike requires both divine power and the
fulfillment of human responsibility.
There are three things which contribute to our
being more Christlike: our surrender to God, our freedom from sin, and our
spiritual growth.
1) Becoming more Christlike is the result of
surrender to God. Romans 12:1-2 says that worship involves a total
self-dedication to God. We volunteer our bodies as “living sacrifices,” and our
minds are renewed and transformed.
When Jesus said, “Follow me,” Levi left his
money tables immediately (Mark 2:14); so do we freely surrender all we have for
the sake of following the Lord. As John the Baptist said, “He must become
greater; I must become less” (John 3:30), so we focus more and more on Jesus
and His glory, losing ourselves in His will.
2) Becoming more Christlike is the result of
freedom from sin. Since Jesus lived a sinless life, the more we consider
ourselves “dead to sin” (Romans 6:11) and live a life of purity, the more like
Jesus we will be. As we offer ourselves to God, sin is no longer our master,
and we are more clearly identified with Christ (Romans 6:1-14).
Jesus invites us to follow Him, and we have His
example of obedience (John 15:10), sacrificial love (John 15:12-13), and
patient suffering (1 Peter 2:19-23). We also have the example of the apostles,
who modeled Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
When it comes to restraining sin in our lives,
we have divine help: praise the Lord for the Word of God (Psalm 119:11), the
intercession of Christ (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), and the power of the Spirit
who indwells us (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16)!
3) Becoming more Christlike is the result of
Christian growth. When we are first saved, we are immature in wisdom and
knowledge and inexperienced in grace and love. But then we grow. In each of these
things, our charge is to become stronger—and more Christlike. “Grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). “May
the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone
else” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
Right now, God works in us: “We, who with
unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his
likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord” (2 Corinthians
3:18). One day, however, the process will be complete: “When he appears, we
shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). The promise of
being fully Christlike in the future is in itself motivation for becoming more
Christlike now: “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he
is pure” (1 John 3:3).
No comments:
Post a Comment