The Fruit of A Born Again Spirit By Emily Wooten
Galatians 5:22-23 …The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…
What do we mean when we talk about fruit? One might say that fruit refers to the product of a newborn spirit. We can be ruled by these forces of a newborn spirit.
Romans 5:5 … because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
God’s love, for God is love, produces forces that help us manage our behavior. Jesus walked in love with patience.
1 John 2: 5 But who keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Jesus managed his behavior as a human in this earth. We can too. (The word perfected in 1John 2:5 means to make complete, to accomplish, brought to its end.)
Ephesians 4: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The work perfect here also means to be brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing, mature. We see that we are working toward and end. That end will produce in us peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing (Don’t be anxious); but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We are instructed to keep ourselves from being anxious. The same way love is in our spirit, so is all the fruit of a newborn spirit there. We must use these forces of love to overcome every undisciplined thought. Before we produce fruit that is inappropriate: hate, anger, boasting, impatience, we have thoughts that suggest we should behave that way. That is the place where the fruit of the spirit is produced or the works of flesh. We choose.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
If we see a brother or sister who has allowed themselves to be overtaken by ungodly behavior, this is a good time to speak the truth in love. Paul would not have suggested that we can have a spirit of meekness if it were not possible. We can choose to operate in humility, walking in love with patience. The Holy Spirit can give us the right words to say to love and help someone. If we choose works of the flesh we might be accusative, abrupt and without compassion. Notice the scripture says to consider yourself so you aren’t tempted. Walking in love produces faith and patience.
James 1:3-5 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and does not criticize; and it shall be given him.
Confession: I operate in love, joy and peace and God calls me perfect, entire, and wanting nothing.
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