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