Fruit Of The Spirit

Because there is a danger in the present move of God to over-emphasize the Gifts of the Spirit, it is necessary to bring a balance by giving proper attention to the study of the "Fruit of the Spirit".

1. WHAT IS THE "FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT"? - Galatians 5:22 tells us that "the Fruit of the Spirit is":
   1. Love
   2. Joy
   3. Peace
   4. Longsuffering
   5. Gentleness
   6. Goodness
   7. Faith
   8. Meekness
   9. Temperance

   The word "fruit" used here metaphorically to mean "result", or "outcome". In other words, the result or outcome of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life should be the nine virtues listed above. Vine's defines fruit as "being the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly, the character of the fruit being evidence of the character of the power producing it".

2. HOW ARE THESE "VIRTUES" BROUGHT ABOUT IN OUR LIVES?
   1. By the gospel (Colossians 1:5, 6).
   2. By being joined to Christ (Romans 7;4).
   3. By abiding in Christ and allowing ourselves to be "pruned" (John 15:1, 4).
   4. Tribulation (Romans 5:3).
   5. Not walking in the counsel of the wicked (Psalm 1:1).
   6. Not standing in the way of sinners (Psalm 1:1).
   7. Not sitting in the seat of scoffers (Psalm 1:1).
   8. By delighting in and meditating in God's word (Psalm 1:2).
   9. By walking as "children of light" (Ephesians 5:7-9).
   10. By making no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:14), and dying to "self" (John 12:24).
   11. By allowing ourselves to be trained by chastening (Hebrews 12:11).
3. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT WE "BEAR FRUIT"?
   1. Jesus said it was for this purpose that He chose us (John 15:16).
   2. Scripture tells us that we are to bring forth fruit in keeping with our repentance (Matthew 3:8).
   3. Entrance into God's eternal kingdom will be supplied by having, practicing, and increasing in Christian virtues (II Peter 1:8-11).
   4. We are warned of the danger of not bearing fruit or bearing bad fruit.
      1. Every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10).
      2. The parable of the talents teaches us that the Lord expects a return on that which He has entrusted to us (Matthew 25:14-30).
      3. Hebrews 6:8 warns us that, that which has received what is needed to produce fruit and does not is rejected, nigh unto cursing and whose end is to be burned.
      4. False prophets can be distinguished by their "fruit".
   5. The apostle Paul said that even if he spoke in tongues, prophesied, knew all mysteries and all knowledge, had all faith, gave all his possessions to feed the poor, and even became a martyr, he was nothing if he did not have love (I Corinthians 13:1-3). Later on in his letter to the Colossians, he exhorted them to put on love, which is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14).
4. DO WE POSSESS ALL NINE VIRTUES WHEN WE RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT?
   1. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive only the enabling power to bring forth these virtues in our lives.
   2. The Bible is clear on its teaching that fruit can only be brought forth in due season (Psalm 1:3).

Fruit Of The Spirit

LOVE-PASS IT ON!

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(last updated on July 5, 2005)