The Fruit of the Spirit Part I Galatians 5:22-24

The Fruit of the Spirit Contrasted with the works of the flesh in Gal. 5: Contrasted with the works of the flesh in Gal. 5: We must make the decision as to which path we will walk: We must make the decision as to which path we will walk: –In the flesh (which is darkness)? (John 8:12) –In the Spirit? (Gal. 2:25) In this lesson we are going to learn what it takes to bear the “Fruit of the Spirit.” In this lesson we are going to learn what it takes to bear the “Fruit of the Spirit.”

The Fruit of the Spirit The word used in Gal. 5:22 is singular, not plural (compare Luke 3:8) NOT Why Does This Matter?

The Fruit of the Spirit Love Love Joy Joy Peace Peace Longsuffering Longsuffering Kindness Kindness Goodness Goodness Faithfulness Faithfulness Gentleness Gentleness Self-control Self-control For our fruit to be complete, it must have all of its components.

The Fruit of the Spirit When we remove one or place greater importance on another, our fruit is no longer complete. Becomes

The Fruit of the Spirit As we strive to attain each individual characteristic, we must see the need to strive for all of them together. As we strive to attain each individual characteristic, we must see the need to strive for all of them together. –Do not say, “I have love, I don’t need gentleness.” –Or “I am trying to learn how to love, I can’t be kind right now.” For it is impossible for us to have one of these characteristics without the others. For it is impossible for us to have one of these characteristics without the others. –I.e. One cannot be loving without also being kind. –And one cannot be faithful without goodness.

The Fruit of the Spirit This fruit is not something we can attain by human wisdom. This fruit is not something we can attain by human wisdom. We cannot learn these characteristics through self-help books, personal philosophy, counseling, listening to the preacher without considering the scriptures. We cannot learn these characteristics through self-help books, personal philosophy, counseling, listening to the preacher without considering the scriptures. Why? Why?

The Fruit of the Spirit This fruit is not of this world; it is not the fruit of men, but the fruit OF THE SPIRIT. This fruit is not of this world; it is not the fruit of men, but the fruit OF THE SPIRIT. –It belongs to the Spirit, it originates from Him, it is defined by His character. –Men who walk after the way of the world have no understanding of these things or how to apply them in a godly manner (1 Cor. 2:13-16). –The only way we can bear this fruit is if we are seeking the things of the Spirit. It is the fruit (the result, the product) of our living “in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25). It is the fruit (the result, the product) of our living “in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25). How does this work? How does this work?

The Fruit of the Spirit Living in the Spirit is not an emotional state that we put ourselves in by thinking happy thoughts. Living in the Spirit is not an emotional state that we put ourselves in by thinking happy thoughts. –Not, “While I was praying I felt the Spirit moving me.” –We do not swim in the Spirit as in a pool of water. Living in the Spirit means practicing, talking, walking, and living the way the Spirit directs us. Living in the Spirit means practicing, talking, walking, and living the way the Spirit directs us. How does He direct us? How does He direct us? Through the Holy Scriptures! Through the Holy Scriptures!

The Fruit of the Spirit According to the Flesh “In the Spirit” Self Word/Law Walk/Obedience

The Fruit of the Spirit Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit The only way we can bear the fruit of the Spirit is by filling ourselves with the Spirit. The only way we can bear the fruit of the Spirit is by filling ourselves with the Spirit. –Not by emotionalism, –But by filling ourselves with His word. “When we fill our minds with the Scriptures, when we do things the way God tells us to do them, then we are going to find that this fruit will come as naturally as when you get apples after planting an apple tree or cherries after planting a cherry tree.” --Hitchen “When we fill our minds with the Scriptures, when we do things the way God tells us to do them, then we are going to find that this fruit will come as naturally as when you get apples after planting an apple tree or cherries after planting a cherry tree.” --Hitchen

The Fruit of the Spirit How fully we bear this fruit in our lives serves as a meter for how fully the Spirit is dwelling in us. How fully we bear this fruit in our lives serves as a meter for how fully the Spirit is dwelling in us. Our goal must be for this fruit to be ever growing and increasing in our lives. Our goal must be for this fruit to be ever growing and increasing in our lives. –This increase can be seen in the way we think, –In the decisions we make, –And in the way we respond to hardship as well as prosperity.

Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit Are you striving to bear the fruit of the Spirit in your life? Are you striving to bear the fruit of the Spirit in your life? To do so we must first be living in the Spirit. To do so we must first be living in the Spirit. The first step is to obey the gospel. The first step is to obey the gospel. –Believe, –Repent, –Confess, –Be baptized, –Walk in the Spirit by continued faithfulness.