[T]he fruit of the Spirit …
Summary: Looking back at Paul’s list of the “fruit of the Spirit,” we discover that the fruit of God’s Spirit is actually poured into us before we can share it with others.
When we get to the “fruit of the Spirit” passage, the context of Paul’s prior words suggests we are talking about “acts” that result from being filled with God’s Spirit. Looking at Paul’s list, we might expect it to describe someone who is loving, joyful, at peace, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and exhibits self-control. All of these things are reasonable to expect from someone who has the Spirit of God in them.
The question that follows is, “How do we get from ‘acts the flesh’ to ‘fruit of the Spirit’?” Let’s review Paul’s letter and find out.
In Galatians 1:3-5, Paul tells us that Jesus “gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.”
Paul then tells us that we are “not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).
When we put our faith in Jesus, something changes. “Faith” is a word for trust. If we have a choice between two bridges that cross a deep ravine, the path we choose will be the one we trust the most. Both the “acts of the flesh” and God’s son Jesus promise to get us where we want to go. Choosing one requires that we reject the other. This is why Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
When we put our faith in Jesus, God adopts us as sons and daughters (Galatians 4:4-5). Because we who believe in Jesus are now children of God, God sends his Spirit, “the Spirit of his Son,” into our hearts (Galatians 4:6).
Now we can look at Paul’s “fruit of the Spirit” list in a whole new way.
The first thing God’s Spirit brings to our hearts is God’s love. Whether we know it or not, the one thing each of us craves the most is love. Many of us settle for lesser types of love because we don’t know any better, but the love God gives, agapé love, is the very best. It is the love that satisfies and the love that never fails.
When we receive God’s love, the natural response is a feeling of joy. Since God’s love is boundless and unconditional, the joy we feel is also boundless and unconditional.
If a person is filled with God’s love and the joy that follows love, what else do we need? When Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to fast for forty days and nights (Matthew 4:1–11), he didn’t go hungry. He was full of God’s love and the joy that goes with doing God’s will (John 4:31–34).
When our needs are met, what is there to worry about? If we have God’s love and are full of joy, isn’t the result of these two things peace? (Philippians 4:7)
The next five items on Paul’s list of spiritual fruit are all expressions of the love that God shows us. When we experience God’s patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness, it is natural to want to do the same for others.
Finally, we get to self-control.
Another way of saying “self-control” is to say that we are controlling the impulses of the flesh. All the things Paul lists under “acts of the flesh” have to be controlled if they are to be restrained.
One of the things I have noticed about myself and have seen in other Christians is a tendency to try and jump to “self-control” before I have fully received God’s Spirit. Without the love, joy, and peace that come with the Spirit, it is hard to find the will to consistently resist the flesh.
My prayer for you and me, and for everyone who desires the gifts of the Spirit, is that we are able to fully open our hearts to our Lord Jesus and receive the gifts he offers us.
Application: Receive God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.
Food for Thought: Where does frustration fit in with Paul’s two lists?
Where does frustration fit in with Paul’s two lists?
The word “frustration,” or rather “frustrated,” gets used a lot at my house. If I say it is used because I have a 5 (almost 6) year old, that might make people chuckle a little, but the word is used not in reaction to him, but by him, and us, to identify a state of mind caused by external circumstances. We are trying to teach him (and often ourselves) to recognize frustration as “the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.” When one recognizes frustration as that, it changes the tone in one’s heart. It recognizes desire and expectation, and removes others as a source and places the onus on the individual to accept or overcome. Given that we are prone to think of ourselves over anything else, only a desire to serve God, in love, will enable us to accept or overcome. Frustration then serves as a “warning light,” requiring ourselves to ask ourselves “what is your desire and expectation?”
So the answer to your question, in my mind, is that frustration fits in Paul’s two lists because desire and expectation can lead us into sin, or it can bring us closer to God. One whose desire and expectation gravitates toward self will gravitate to “the acts of the flesh.” One whose desire and expectation gravitates toward being filled with the Spirit, will gravitate toward the “fruit of the Spirit.” I use the word gravitate because it represents a pulling toward, that the desires and expectations of our heart set us on a road toward something that seeks to draw us closer. The Father, or death (sin).
Romans 7: 15-20
15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
I agree with your statement “One of the things I have noticed about myself and have seen in other Christians is a tendency to try and jump to “self-control” before I have fully received God’s Spirit. Without the love, joy, and peace that come with the Spirit, it is hard to find the will to consistently resist the flesh. ”
I believe what you speaking about is the difference between acting a certain way in an effort to “prove” to oneself, give the appearance of, or “help God along” in our spiritual growth, as opposed to telling God that we want to be more like Christ and allowing Him to change our heart.
James 4:2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
This verse keeps popping up in my head:
Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
In the context of the question, frustration fits into Paul’s two lists when we desire mercy but not sacrifice. When we expect the fruit of the Spirit, but are not willing to turn from sin.
Wow, Chris!
Thank you. Lots to chew on here. 🙂
Your conclusion is very interesting. You have turned the “mercy not sacrifice” quote on its head! In its original context, the OT law required sacrifice to atone for sin. What God was saying was that sacrifice was supposed to lead to a repentant heart and a repentant heart would lead to showing mercy to others.
Now, under the NT covenant, God has shown us mercy, which leads to a repentant heart, which leads us to sacrifice the desires of the flesh.
Honestly, you made me a little nervous there. I had to relook at what I wrote and ask myself did I misunderstand something? I do understand and appreciate your point that Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, who would have understood sacrifice for atonement. He was addressing in them a “self-righteous attitude.” Jesus quoted from Hosea 6:6:
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
When I read this I understand what God wants from mankind: steadfast love and the knowledge (understanding) of Him.
I think people, including myself at times, are happy to claim Christ, claim God’s mercy, but are not steadfast in love for God or seeking to understand who God is. So when I read these words “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” it speaks twice to me. It relays what God wants for us, and what He wants from us. He wants us to join Him in His Presence, and to do that, we must let go of what keeps us from His Presence.
Chris, Well said!
I’m sorry I made you nervous!! What you wrote is excellent in its entirety. It sounds like you and I are tracking together. When you say that God’s Word “speaks twice to me,” I get that. Yes! To be in God’s presence, we need to let go of our sin nature. In this life, for God’s Spirit to be able to fully enter in, we need to let go of our sin nature.
This is why Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)
It is also why Jesus added this comment:
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’
Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.‘”
(Matthew 19:25-26)
Thanks for the follow up! I misspoke on other thing which is bugging me. You did not make me nervous, and I appreciate your grace on that. I got nervous, and needed to go back and reread. I appreciate you and your daily meditations on the Word!
Thank You Chris and Jeff!!!
Where does frustration fit in with Paul’s two lists?
Paul may have felt some frustration because his brethren were slow or refused to accept the truth of his conversion. And the cleansing, forgiveness of his own former sins against gentiles, which brought less than comfortable consequences.
Mistrust and/or rejection came from those who knew the old Paul as well as those he was called to minister to.
Many come to Jesus as He calls us “ out of this world “, and are led into a life being rejected by friends and family, held at arms length by people of the church. Peace came to Paul and believers today we accept reality, focus on separating ourselves from this world, and submission to God, as they spend time in prayer, and studying His Word, sharing His truths with those He brings to us. Paul is an example to many called out of this world.
Paul is the product of his God ordained environment which has perfectly prepared Him to become the perfect instrument of God, as he seeks change, submitting to Gods will, becoming His minister to the Gentiles. Romans 15: 14-33
AND JESUS TELLS US:
Mark 6:4 Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
Luke 4:24 Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Paul found his eternal security was the fruit of putting all his trust in his Sovereign Lord who is the provider of all good things, and he was not disappointed.
James 1:5-6, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Timothy 1:7, For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Thank you, Ron!
Great insights about Paul’s relationship with our Lord. In a way you have brought us back to the fruits of the Spirit. Frustration causes us to turn to God for confirmation of our mission and encouragement to overcome obstacles. As we turn to God he responds with love which leads to joy. Joy nullifies the power of frustration. Then we can have peace knowing that in the face of resistance we are still on track with the Lord’s will. Love, joy and peace applied to any situation results in patience. Patience, of course, is what creates the opportunities for kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are granted the self-control to make all of this possible.
We are definitely on the same page Brother!
Ron