“The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, goodness, faith, meekness, gentleness, self-control. Those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5: 22-24.
May we take a look at our own lives, thoughts and actions and examine ourselves in the light of these scriptures. This is like looking into a mirror and seeing our own life. Let the Holy Spirit of God open our eyes to ourselves and also lead us to repentance of our sins.
Love: “God is love” “Walk in love” Jesus:“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” “If anyone says, “I love God,” but 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.” 1 John 4:8; Ephesians 5:8; John 13:38; 1 John 4:20
Joy: Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jesus: “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” “To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” John 15:11; John 16:24; Isaiah 61:3
Peace: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. John 14:27; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15;
Long suffering: “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” “Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love is not boastful, is not arrogant,” “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4; James 1:2-3
Goodness: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? “Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Psalm 23:6; Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 2:3
Faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 12:2
Meekness: Jesus: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” “Behold, your King is coming to you, meek and sitting on a donkey,” “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ; I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!” Matthew 5:5; Matthew 11:29 Matthew 21:5 2 Corinthians 10:1
Gentleness: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is at hand.” “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” “speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” Philippians 4:4-5; 1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 3:2
Self-control: “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” “but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined” “make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. Titus 2:2, 1:8; 2 Peter 1:5-7
Self control is a person not controlled by others and reacting but by the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus. A person whose actions are controlled by Jesus and not the world.
As we look at the Lord Jesus and the glory of God and the fruit of the Holy Spirit we face ourselves. Is my life and yours filled with these fruits. Should you have never received Jesus as your Savior and Lord I encourage you to repent of your sins and accept what Jesus did for you as He died on the cross, shedding His Holy Blood for your sins. Put you faith in Jesus and confess Him as your Savior. The Holy Spirit comes into your heart when you are saved. Now the fruits of the Spirit will began to manifest in your life. Desire to live and walk in the Spirit.
One of my favorite statements is this prayer. “Anything that is in my life that doesn’t look like Jesus. Take it out Lord. Put into my life everything that looks like Jesus. I repent, fill me with your glorious Presence and the fruits of the Spirit. Thank you Jesus. All glory to God.“
Pilgrim followers of Jesus,
Arthur and Denise Blessitt, Luke 18:1