Lesson 9

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

 

The true Christian life is characterized by the manifestation of certain virtues.

 

These true Christian virtues are, the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, not the fruit of human effort ( Galatians 5:13-26 ). GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS VERY OWN NATURE. (II Peter 1:4)

 

Only when we are full of the Holy Spirit, do we exhibit a fruition of Christian virtues. (Acts 1:8 & 6:1-8 and John 7:37-39)

 

When Christ is FULLY FORMED in us, by the INDWELLING of the Spirit, TRUE CHRISTIAN VIRTUES WILL BE THE RESULT.

 

If there is no evidence of fruit in our life, we need to examine ourselves for a lack of understanding, of what God expects of us and has provided for us and the possibility of sin in our life.

 

Inasmuch as the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, we should expect to see this fruit in our lives as we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

When a Born-Again person receives the "fullness" of the Spirit, he/she does not bear a different kind of fruit but rather a GREATER ABUNDANCE AND PURER QUALITY of the same fruit.

 

The ultimate goal is a daily Spirit-filled life, abundant in the fruit of the Spirit.
(II Corinthians 5:20 -- AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST)

 

Christ is the true vine. God the Father is the husbandman. The believers are the branches. JOHN 15:1-8

 

Those who have been born again are expected to go and SIN NO MORE, bringing forth fruit indicative of TRUE REPENTANCE (John 15:16).

 

If the branch (WE/YOU do) does bear some fruit, the Father prunes it in order that it (WE) will bear more fruit (John 15:2).

 

The fiery trials and tests are used by the Father as pruning and purging instruments to develop us into the image of Jesus. The Father dose not cause the trials, but through them, He helps us grow in maturity. (James 1:1-17, I Peter 1:7, & 4:12-14 and Romans 8:26-39)

 

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE IS A CONTINUAL PROGRESSIVE GROWTH IN GRACE AND FRUITFULNESS UNTIL THE LORD COMES TO TAKE HIS BRIDE HOME.

THREE FRUITS OF INWARD CHARACTER

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1. LOVE: A strong, ardent, tender, unconditional devotion to the well being of someone else
   (I Corinthians 13:1-13).

2. JOY: Emotional excitement, which produces a glad, happy, and content feeling.

3. PEACE: A state of quietness, rest, harmony, and security in the midst of turmoil, strife, and temptation.

 

THREE FRUITS IN EXPRESSION TOWARD MAN WITH A CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE

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1. LONGSUFFERING: (PATIENCE): To endure with the frailties, offenses, and provocations of others without resentment.

2. GENTLENESS: (KINDNESS): A disposition to be gentle, soft spoken, kind, even-tempered, and refined in character and conduct.

3. GOODNESS: The state of being good, kind, virtuous, generous, and Christ-like in character.

 

THREE FRUITS IN EXPRESSION TOWARD GOD

 

1. FAITHFULNESS: The acting out of whole-hearted confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance on God and His Word Being faithful to your commitment.

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2. MEEKNESS: (HUMILITY): An attitude of the heart that reflects a disposition to be gentle and kind in negative situations.

 

JESUS WAS MEEK, NOT WEAK.
HE CONQUERED ALL OF THE POWERS OF SATAN.

 

3. TEMPERANCE: An inward strength to control the fleshly appetites and passions.

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NOTE: ACCORDING TO II PETER 1:1-11, GOD GIVES US HIS OWN CHARACTER AS WE PRESS CLOSE TO HIM.

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YOU ARE A WORK OF GRACE IN PROGRESS.

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GALATIANS 5:13-26 (LIVING BIBLE)

 

13. For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.

 

14. For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: “Love others as you love yourself.”

 

15. But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always critical and catty, WATCH OUT! Beware of ruining each other.

 

16. I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to.

 

17. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures.

 

18. When you are guided by the Holy Spirit, you need no longer force yourself to obey Jewish laws.

 

19. But when you follow your own wrong inclinations your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure,

 

20. idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons), hatred and fighting, jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your own little group--and there will be wrong doctrine,

 

21. envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties, and all that sort of thing. Let me tell you again AS I HAVE BEFORE, THAT ANYONE LIVING THAT SORT OF LIFE WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

 

22. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULLNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.

 

23. Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to His cross and crucified them there.

 

24. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s POWER, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s LEADING in every part of our lives.

25. Then we won’t need to look for honors and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings.

 

Galatians 6:7,

 

DON’T BE MISLED; REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN’T IGNORE GOD AND GET AWAY WITH IT. A MAN WILL ALWAYS REAP JUST THE KIND OF CROP HE SOWS.

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Scripture quotations are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, IL 60189 USA.
All rights reserved.