The Fruit Of The Spirit
The Word Of God - Lesson IV D
The Fruit Of The Spirit
Having looked at Water Baptism, Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit, we will now look at the subject of the Fruit of the Spirit.
We have learned that all believers are to undergo Water Baptism.
Furthermore, we have learned that every believer is to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the outward sign of a prayer language.
Thirdly, we have learned that the Holy Spirit has one or more gifts for every believer and that each believer should use their gift for the benefit of others. As far as the fruit of the Spirit is concerned, the first question we need to ask is:
What exactly is the fruit of the Spirit ?
The answer can be found in Galatians 5:22-23 where the Apostle Paul writes:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control……
He refers here to the character traits of the Holy Spirit.
The second question we need to ask is:
Who is to display this fruit of the Spirit?
The answer is:
Anyone, who by faith has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. At that time the Holy Spirit came to reside within them and they are then to submit to the Holy Spirit on a moment by moment basis as we can read in:
Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
This means that such a person is to allow the Sprit of God to display His character through them which is His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His goodness, His faithfulness, His gentleness and His self-control.
Let us look at each one of these character traits.
Love
The kind of love Paul talked about here is the God-kind of love, which is an unconditional love. We see this love expressed in:
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus sets the standard for the kind of love believers are to have for others in:
John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
He tells us who is to be included in the list of “others” in:
Matthew 5:44a
But I tell you, “Love your enemies….
Furthermore, Jesus teaches us that there is a close connection between obedience and love in:
John 15:10
If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love…
Also, the Apostle John teaches on the importance of obedience in relation to love, as we can read in:
II John 6
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands…
Paul gives us a beautiful description of this kind of the God-kind of love in:
I Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
This is the kind of love the Holy Spirit desires to display through us who are believers. Please remember that God does not require that we try and do produce this kind of love in our own strength for He knows that we will not be able to do so. However, when we submit to the Holy Spirit He will enable us to love others in that way as we can read in:
II Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
The Apostle Peter reminds believers to live that way as we can read in:
I Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
The Apostle Paul has the following to say about love in:
Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
And in Romans 13:9
The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule, “Love your neighbour as yourself."
And in Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these things put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
The Apostle John writes the following on the same subject in:
I John 3:11
This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
And in I John 4:16-21
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Joy
Joy is not to be compared to happiness because happiness so often is dependant on our circumstances. Instead joy is in inner quality solely based on who God is and is given to us by the Lord as Jesus shows us in:
John 15:11
“I (Jesus) have told you this so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
The Apostle Paul explains too that the believer’s joy is God-given in:
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Nehemiah describes the important role of joy in a believer’s life in:
Nehemiah 8:10b
“….Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The Prophet Isaiah writes that joy is everlasting in:
Isiaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads, Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
The Apostle Paul encourages believers to be joyful in the Lord at all times as we can read in:
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: “Rejoice!
And in I Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always.
Furthermore, he encourages believers to be joyful regardless of the circumstances as we can read in:
I Thessalonians 1:6
You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Peter writes about the great joy believers have in:
I Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him (Christ) you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
Peace
Those of us who have come to Christ have made peace with God as we can read in:
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We will then be able to walk in the peace of God, as Jesus promised in:
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The Apostle Paul teaches as well that those of us who are believers cannot produce this peace in our lives; it is God's doing as we can read in:
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
And in II Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Furthermore, Paul explains how believers can always walk in the peace of God in:
Philippians 4:6-7
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.
Having made peace with God and walking in the peace of God should have its outworking in the lives of believers in relation to others as we can read in:
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
And in Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
And in I Thessalonians 5:13b
“….Live in peace with each other.”
Patience
This term means “bearing trials calmly”, the quality of enduring” or “long suffering” God Himself is the greatest example of patience as we can read in:
Numbers 14:18a
“The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion…”
And in Psalm 86:15
But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.
And in II Peter 3:9 where the Apostle Peter writes:
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The Apostle Paul encourages those of us who are believers that God will enable us to be patient in:
Colossians 1:11
Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience….
However, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that we as believers are to actively co-operate with God so that His patience may flow through us in Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
And in Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
And in I Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
He further encourages believers to be patient under all circumstances as in:
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Kindness
The term kindness means “to treat others as God has treated you.”
God Himself is the greatest example of kindness as we can read in:
Romans 2:4
Or do you show contempt for the riches of His (God’s) kindness, tolerance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance?
And in Ephesians 2:7
In order that in the coming ages He (God) might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
And in Titus 3:4-5a
But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour, appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
Believers are to show kindness to others in the same way that God has shown us kindness as Paul teaches us in:
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
And in Colossians 3:12
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
And in I Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
The Apostle Peter teaches this too in:
II Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason make ever effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Goodness
We can read of the goodness of Jesus in:
John 10:11
I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Furthermore, Jesus teaches us that we are to apply goodness to others in:
Luke 6:27
But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
The Apostle Paul teaches us along similar lines in:
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
And in I Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith….
The Holy Spirit’s goodness in believers is to lead us to good actions which God has prepared in advance for us as we can read in:
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The Apostle Paul tells believers not to give up on doing those good works as we can read in:
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Furthermore, He tells believers how to be equipped for every good work in:
II Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Apostle Peter encourages believers to be examples to others by the way we live as we can read in:
I Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
Furthermore, He teaches those of us who are believers how to mature in our walk with God as we can read in:
II Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to your goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Faithfulness
God is a faithful God as we can read in:
I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
The Apostle Paul shows believers that God is faithful at all times as we can see in:
II Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He (God) will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.
The author of Hebrews says the following about God’s faithfulness in:
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
The Apostle John helps believers to understand the faithfulness of God in relation to our sins in:
I John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify from all unrighteousness.
We who are believers are to display the same kind of faithfulness as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s work in us as we can read in:
Revelation 2:10b
…Be faithful even to the point of death, and I (Jesus) will give you the crown of life.
The Apostle Paul encourages believers to show the God-kind of faithfulness in regards to our prayer life as we can read in:
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Gentleness
Jesus invites believers to follow His example of gentleness as we can read in:
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
The Apostle Paul shows believers that his gentleness is based on the gentleness of Christ in:
II Corinthians 10:1
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you – I Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away.
He encourages believers to make a public demonstration of that same Christ-like gentleness as we can read in:
Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
And in Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
The Apostle Paul encourages believers to make gentleness a priority in their lives as we can read in:
I Timothy 6:11
But you man (or woman) of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Self-control
God expects us as believers to be in control of ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we can read in:
I Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
The Apostle Peter teaches this as well in:
I Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Christ Jesus is revealed.
Furthermore, Peter connects the importance of self-control in relation to prayer as we can read in:
I Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
The Apostle Peter declares too that self-control is needed because believers have an enemy as we can read in:
I Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
He encourages those of us who are believers to develop self-control as part of our godly character as we can read in:
II Peter 1:5
For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
It is very obvious that these godly characteristics will take time to be formed in us who are believers. However, over time, as we daily submit to the work of the Holy Spirit on the inside of us, we will begin to display more and more of this wonderful fruit of the Holy Spirit, this godly character. Moreover, godly character will enable us to fulfil the calling of God on our lives.
In our next study we will look at the subjects of our position in Christ and prayer.