THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – Part 5
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”Galatians 5:22-24 NKJVNo passage in the Bible draws a clearer contrast between the lifestyle of the Spirit-filled believer and that of the person controlled by the sinful nature than Galatians 5:16-26. (I discussed the works of the flesh in a previous daily).
The Spirit and our sinful nature are at war with each other. In contrast to the sinful nature is a single-minded lifestyle called “the fruit of the Spirit”. This is produced in God’s children as we allow the Spirit to direct and influence our lives that we destroy sin’s power and walk in fellowship with God. The fullness of this fruit is completely lacking among God’s people. On one hand, we have a side of Christianity saying, “just love”; but it’s not truly God’s love but full of fleshly, lustful love and sinful desires.
On the other hand, the charismatic portion of the church is full of witchcraft. False prophets prophecy lies and deceit, claiming the Spirit; but operating in lawless. “Lord, Lord! We did all these things in your name!” Be very careful of the voices you are allowing to lead your life! False prophets are rampant on social media. Any “move of the Spirit” that’s not grounded on the Word of God, is not of God. The following is a short definition of the fruit of the Spirit. Scripture says we shall know people by these fruits- especially false prophets and teachers. (The fruit of their ministry) This is why it is if the utmost importance to either know them personally or have a relationship with someone who knows them and can give you a report of their life and ministry.
There’s so much nonsense being spoken right now! Stop following around prophets who always prophecy good words. They are pumping you full of venom and leading you astray. (1) Love (agape) charity; a purpose of the will to seek the highest good of another without motive or personal gain.
Love is not feeling or emotion based; but based in seeking God’s will for another. (2) Joy (chara) the feeling of gladness based on love, grace, blessings, promises, and nearness of God that belong to those who are in Christ. Joy is not based on outward circumstances; but inward circumstances of the heart. (3) Peace (eirênê) the rest of the heart and mind based on the knowledge that all is well between the believer and our Heavenly Father, resulting in freedom from the turmoil of anxiety.
“He who fears has not been made perfect in God’s love”, hence they have no true peace. (4) Longsuffering (makrothumia) endurance, patience, being slow to anger or despair. (5) Gentleness (chrêstotês) kindness, not wanting to hurt anyone or cause them pain. (6) Goodness (agathósunê) zeal for truth and righteousness and a hatred of evil; it can be expressed in acts of kindness or in rebuking and correcting evil.
(7) Faith (pistis) firm and unswerving loyalty to a person to whom one is united by promise, commitment, trust and honesty. This Gk word includes a yielding obedience. (
Meekness (prautês) gentleness, restraint coupled with strength and courage; it describes a person who can be angry when anger is needed and humbly submissive when submission is needed. (9) Temperance (egkrateia) self-control; mastering one’s own desires and passions, including faithfulness to one’s vows; also purity.
There are no restrictions to the fruit of the Spirit. ALL these virtues must be in practice; otherwise you are out of balance and will eventually topple over. Fruit comes through many trials and afflictions. We are to embrace affliction and be trained by it; not run and isolate when hard times come. Your fruit will not reach perfection. You will never discover a law prohibiting you from living according to these principles. #runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
