The Fruit of the Spirit Lesson #6 In the Steps of Christ
Introduction: evidence Can these be considered as an evidence of one s salvation? Amount of time spent reading the Bible Willingness to go to church every week Taking notes during Sunday School / Sermon Willingness to get baptized Amount of Scripture memorized 2
Lesson outline Definition Good and bad fruit The fruit of unbelievers The fruit of believers Walking by the Spirit Flesh vs. Spirit Practical guidelines The desires of the Flesh The characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit Next week: Fruit of the Spirit 3
What is Spiritual Fruit? Spiritual Fruit is a work produced by the Holy Spirit in a life of a believer which results in godly attitudes, motives, thoughts, words and consequently actions. It is directed toward pleasing God and is a vital characteristic of a spiritually alive person. 4
Spiritual Fruit: definition Spiritual Fruit is directed toward pleasing God (as opposed to toward pleasing others or yourself) Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4-5) the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them (Ephesians 5:6-11) 5
Spiritual Fruit: definition The Fruit of the Spirit is more than just a good deed. It is not just the deed that is important, but also the right attitude, motives, goals and the right means Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:22-24) 6
Two types of Fruit There are only two types of fruit: good and bad. Our deeds reflect the condition of our hearts Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. (Mathew 7:16-18) It is possible to appear good on the outside, while still being bad (i.e. selfish, corrupt, hypocritical etc.) in heart. See Matthew 23:27-28 also Matthew 7:22-23 7
The fruit of unbelievers The fruit of unbelievers are deeds produced by the sinful flesh (Galatians 5:19) Leads to death (Romans 7:5) A person characterized by these fruits will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Everyone will be either baptized with the Holy Spirit to produce good fruit, or with fire (condemned to Hell) if no fruit of righteousness is found (Matthew 3:8-11) 8
The fruit of believers Believers can bear fruit only because they are in Christ. Outside of Christ no one can bear fruit [of righteousness] (John 15:4-5, Romans 7:4) The Holy Spirit is the only source of spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22) Only those can produce fruit who hear the word of God and understand it. Just hearing is not enough (Matthew 13:23) 9
The fruit of believers Every believer was elected to bear a good fruit. It is impossible for a believer not to bear a good fruit You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit (John 15:16) those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30) Bearing fruit brings glory to God (John 15:8) 10
Walking by the Spirit Believers are instructed to walk by the Spirit But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16) do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:12-14) 11
Flesh vs. Spirit There is an ongoing battle between the desires of the flesh and indwelling Holy Spirit in a life of a believer the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (Galatians 5:17) 12
How to walk in the Spirit? Some practical guidelines A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Do not gratify the desires of the flesh. Recognize what those are (Galatians 5:19-21, Colossians 3:5-9) Yield to the work of the Holy Spirit. Recognize the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:10-15) Set your minds on things above (Colossians 3:1) Spend time in the Word. The word of Christ in your heart results in spiritual walk (Colossians 3:16) Prayer unparalleled access to the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:15-16) Sing praise, hymns, spiritual songs with other believers encouraging one another (Colossians 3:16) Think about the consequences! 13
Desires of the flesh It is all about ME! Lead to strife, separation, enmity Nearsighted as opposed to looking towards eternity (Colossians 3:2) Colossians 3:5-9: immorality (or fornication), impurity, passion, evil desire, greed which amounts to idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech, lie Galatians 5:19-21, 26: sexual immorality ( or fornication ), impurity, sensuality [unbridled lust], idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these boasting, challenging one another, envying. 14
The characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit Lead to unity Considers others higher then ourselves Love is an essential component (see Colossians 3:14 ESV, 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:3) heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, love, which is the perfect bond of unity peace be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) 15
Conclusion Notice that the fruit of verse 22 is singular in contrast to the works of verse 19, which is plural. The flesh manifests itself in many different ways, although not everyone practices all the works listed in verses 1921. (No one could without destroying himself!) The Spirit, however, produces a single fruit, which signifies the unity of the spiritual qualities mentioned by Paul. When you walk by the Spirit, you will see not a few, but all facets of the fruit of the Spirit in your life. You either have all or none of it. That should produce a sense of relief because you don't need to run around and try to generate love or joy. You just need to walk by the Spirit and He will produce it all in you. God reduces everything to a common denominator--walking by the Spirit, which produces the fruit. John MacArthur, Walking by the Spirit, Part 3, http://www.gty.org/resources/study+guide+chapter/1670 16