The Fruits Of The Spirit (June 30, 2013)

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

Text: Galatians 5:1, 13-26

Galatians 5:1 - Galatians 5:13 -26  For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  (13)  For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.  (14)  For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  (15)  If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.  (16)  Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.  (17)  For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.  (18)  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.  (19)  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,  (20)  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,  (21)  envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  (22)  By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,  (23)  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.  (24)  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  (25)  If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.  (26)  Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another (NRSV).

Someone once asked a question that I am sure that we could all relate to given that it has happened to you. Does our lifestyle illustrate a walk that bears God’s name? “When was the last time you took a bite from a beautiful orange only to be disappointed by its flavor? Instead of enjoying a sweet, juicy taste, you only tasted dry fruit. It looked like an orange, smelled like an orange, and even felt like an orange. But it did not taste like an orange should taste: sweet and juicy. Instead, it was sour and dry. The Christian life can at times be likened to an orange that is sweet and juicy, producing as expected. However, many believers are offering a life that is the exact opposite: sour and dry.

A believer is to walk bearing God’s nature: a life that is marked by the Fruit of the Spirit. A life that is sweet and juicy.

Note that the fruit which is produced in the life of the believer is the fruit of the Spirit. God is in the business of producing top-quality fruit which is abundant and eternal. The believer has done nothing to deserve this kind of fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is an act of the mercy and grace of a loving God.” (Practical Illustrations. Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2001, p. 129). Have you ever wondered why love is at the top of the list of all of the nine fruits that are listed? Is it possible that none of these fruits can reach their potential without the gift of love? It seems that Paul is emphasizes the importance of being Spirit filled, and Spirit led.

SPIRIT FILLED

Paul mentions a list of characteristics that of the nature of the flesh. Someone (Warren Wiersbe) classifies Paul's catalogue of fifteen into three categories.

1) The sensual sins: First, there is the sensual sins [bodily pleasures as experienced through the senses]: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (lust), drunkenness, orgies/ revellings. (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Volume 1. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1989, p. 718).

2) Superstitions: Next, there is the superstitious sins which are idolatry and witchcraft. Side note: Consisder what I Samuel 15:23 says: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (KJV). Incidentally, the Greek word for witchcraft is "pharmakeia" from which we get our English word "pharmacy". "Pharmakeia" literally means the "use of drugs". Side note: By the way, drug dealing and Devil worship are linked in one way or another as partners in crime. We will explore this more in a moment.

3) Social Sins: Third, there are what Wiersbe calls them social sins. Hatred, strife (selfish ambition), emulations (jealousy; rivalries), wrath (outbursts of anger), seditions (divisions), heresies (cliques that uphold a doctrine contrary to the truth), envy (grudges, coveting) murder (pp. 718-719). These are all things of the flesh which can rule in the lives of those who are not believers.

Can the sins of the flesh make a shipwreck of one’s soul and life? Remember a moment ago we mentioned that drugs and devil can be connected to one another? Consider this true story as an example. Mike Warnke, A former High Priest Satanist, now Christian Evangelist tells of how the dean of his college got him strung out on drugs, addicted and then enticed to join fellow occultists to get all of the money, drugs and immorality (sex) he wanted back in the 1960's. (The Satan Seller. South Plainfield: Bridge Publishing, Inc., 1972, pp. 18-56). They even have stores where you can buy herbs and other items for casting spells. I happened to stop somewhere in Columbia to ask for directions for Epworth Children's Home only to discover such a place by accident.