1 / 110

The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23

The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the spirit is… Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance , against such there is no law” . Separate Fruit or Different Aspects of One Fruit?.

shawna
Download Presentation

The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 “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 5:22 and Luke 1:42 (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. 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” Galatians 5 I Corinthians 13Fruit of Spirit Love or Charity…

  4. 2 Peter 1 Galatians 5 FAITH (same word) FAITH VIRTUE brings GOODNESS KNOWLEDGE brings (see PEACE 2 Pet. 1:3) 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 5:22-23

  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 husbandman…hath long patience for it…Be ye also patient” James 5:7-8 • “Ye have heard of the patience (hupomone) of Job, and hath seen the end of the Lord…”James 5:11 • 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. 9:17 • Exhibited this characteristic many times - e.g., time of Noah (see 1 Pet. 3:20) • “…but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.2 Pet. 3:9 • “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.” 2 Pet. 3:15

  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. 29:11 (RSV) • “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” Eph. 4:26 • “Be…slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” James 1:19,20

  11. Anger - Negative (& Positive) Sides Negative Impacts • Attacking another person • Thinking hateful thoughts • Festering grudges • Souring relationships • Guilt -> Neurosis -> 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, we’re not going to project a different attitude towards our “neighbors”. • We can’t give away what we don’t have ourselves. • “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater (hearted) than our heart (than I am), and knoweth all things” 1 John 3:20 • 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 God’s 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 one’s 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. 16:32

  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 7:9 • 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 things…But 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. 9:25,27 • 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. 2:4 “the goodness and severity of God” Rom. 11:22 “if thou continue in his goodness” Rom. 11:22 “the riches of His grace in his kindness” Eph. 2:7 “the kindness and love of God” Titus 3:4 “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” Rom. 2:4 “He is kind to be thankful” Luke 6:35 “Be ye kind…tenderhearted…forgiving Eph. 4:32 as God”

  25. Kindness – principle attribute of God’s 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. 2:3 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 2:3 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. So…How 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. 4:29, 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 won’t “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 God’s 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 2:2,3] • 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 15:14 • Galatians 5:22 • Ephesians 5:9 • 2 Thessalonians 1:11

  33. “Full of Goodness” Rom. 15:14 • Not in absolute sense • Even Christ said “there is none good but one, that is God”Matt. 19:16-17 • Yahweh mayimpute goodness on His own terms; but it’s 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 15:14 Galatians 5:22 Ephesians 5:9 2 Thessalonians 1:11

  35. “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness…)”Ephesians 5:9 • 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. 1:11 “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. 1:11 – “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 119:11

  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. 6:22

  39. Our Inner Voice • In the beginning, Adam and Eve’s 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. • What’s 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. 4:8 “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 5:22-23

  43. The Equation of Faith - Heb. 11:1 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 • Christ’s 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. 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 Certainty vs. Doubt

  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. 8:9 [NIV] • “Nehemiah said, Go and enjoy…This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”Neh. 8:10 [NIV] • “Strength” – moaz [Hebrew] = fort or stronghold • Joy founded upon the certainty of Yahweh’s 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 16:19-20 • 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 “thejoy of the Lord is your strength”

More Related