THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

KEY VERSE

But the fruit of the spiritis love, joy, peace, long suffering, tenderness, goodness, faith(faithfulness), meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 2:22-23).

Definition

1. The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Christ produced by theSpirit of Christ in the believer’s life.

2. It is the character of the Christian life that replaces the self-life

3. It is the result of a carefully cultivated relationship with Jesus.

Purpose

For the believer to become apartaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)

DIVINE CHARACTER DEFINED ASFRUIT

Definition

The character of Christproduced by the Spirit of Christ in the believer’s life.

Purpose

For the believer to become apartaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)

Fruitfulness (John 15:16)

Production of spiritualfruit

Unlike spiritual gifts,Spiritual fruit is not produced directly by the Holy Spirit in us; itsproduction follows as the result of a process:

1. we obey the Holy Spirit

2. the Holy Spirit produces the Christ-life within us

3. holiness and the divine nature are manifest through us.

THE PRINCIPLE OF ABIDING

Definition

Maintaining a close, obedientrelationship with Jesus through which spiritual fruit is produced; refusing toseek to produce godly character through the works of the flesh.

SOURCES OF FRUITFULNESS

Meditate on the word

Psalms 1:2 the place that wegive the Word of God in our lives will determine our degree of fruitfulness.

Embrace spiritual disciplines

These cultivate the abidingrelationship

1. hearing the anointed Word preached

2. spending much time in prayer and worship

3. fellowship with other believers

Live in abiding obedience

This secret to abiding inChrist involves every aspect of our person:

1. believe in our spirits

2. obey in our souls

3. yield our flesh to the power of the Holy Spirit.

THE PRUNING PROCESS

1. Abide in Christ -  John 15:1

2. Bear fruit - John 15:2a

3. Pruned to bear more fruit - John 15:2b

Definition

Chastenings of God (Hebrews12:11)

“Cutting away the leaves ofself-indulgence”

Purpose

Yield more fruit, much fruit(John 15:8) (Hebrews: 12:11)

Distinctions

1. God is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8)

2. God is the Husbandman (John 15:1) so we need not fear pruning

3. The word is the pruning instrument (Hebrews 4:12)

4. Pruning is God’s work, not man’s (he is to water and care for the vine)

Our fruitfulness increases aswe embrace the pruning process:

1. study the word

2. apply to our lives

3. walk in obedience

4. yield to revelation of the Holy Spirit.

THE FRUIT

DIVINE LOVE

“But the fruit of theSpirit is Love…” Galatians 5:22

Definition

The preeminent Christianvirtue:  God is love

Evidence of true relationshipwith God (John 13:35)

Completely supersedes humanaffection

DIVINE JOY

“…these things I speak inthe world, that they might have M joy fulfilled in themselves”  John 17:!3

Definition

Love’s response to God’smercies, blessings and benefits

Purpose

To allow the love of God todwell in us that we might become joyful ambassadors of the kingdom of God inthe earth.

1. Joy (ZEPH 3:17)

2. Joy accompanies the baptism and infillings of the Holy Spirit –the result of the dynamic overflow of God when He takes residence within us(Acts 2:28, 13:50-52)

DIVINE PEACE

“But now in Christ Jesus yewho sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace…”  Ephesians 2:13-14

Definition

A soul-harmony that comes fromthe Christ-rule living within us

Purpose

Freedom from an agitated,quarrelsome, contentious spirit; seeking to live peaceably with all men.

DIVINE LONGSUFFERING

“But the fruit of theSpirit is …longsuffering…” Galatians 5:22

“…giving all diligence, add toyour faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and totemperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherlykindness; and to brotherly kindness charity”  2 Peter 1:5-7

Definition

Perseverance

Patience; the ability toendure graciously a less-than-desired state for an extended time

DIVINE GENTLENESS

“But the wisdom that isfrom above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated,full of mercy and good fruits without partiality, and without hypocrisy”. James 3:17

Definition

Kindness; the tangibleexpression of Christ’s love in our lives (Mt.  11.29)

DIVINE GOODNESS

“For the fruit of theSpirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth”

Ephesians 5:9

Definition

The state of being virtuous,benevolent, generous, upright and righteous

DIVINE FAITH

“Faithful is He thatcalleth you, who also will do it”

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Definition

Pistos – faith; alsofaithfulness, including concepts of trustworthy, trustful, sure, and true.

FAITH - LEARNING TO DEPENDONGod, to stand on His Word in every situation.

Calm, constant, unchangingtrust in God’s character

FAITHFULNESS – yieldeddependence on the Holy Spirit resulting in personal dependability.

Faithfulness of character inconduct produced by faith

BOTH FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS involve dependenceand reliance leading to trust.

TRUSTFULNESS – lack ofsuspicion, believing the best of every person

DIVINE MEEKNESS

“Take my York upon you, andlearn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find restunto your souls”  Mathew 11:29

Definition

The gentle humanity exhibitedby those at peace with God, with themselves, and with their fellow men.

A combination of gentleness,obedience, and submission expressed through a humble, unpretentious attitude.

DIVINE TEMPERANCE

“He that is slow to angeris better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh acity”. 

Proverbs 16:32

Definition

Self-control over every phaseof life

The true kind of self-love:  respecting oneself as the temple ofthe Holy Ghost and thus exercising control over impulses and motivations.