One of the tastiest things I have ever eaten was a perfectly ripe peach, picked fresh off the tree in a fruit orchard. Though that was many years ago, I can still remember its luscious sweetness. It was a really good piece of fruit. If someone has some fruit trees, bushes, or vines in their yard, naturally they want them to produce good fruit. Nobody wants bad, nasty, rotten fruit! In our Scripture for today we will read about the type of fruit the Holy Spirit desires to bring forth in our lives, in contrast to bad or rotten behavior.
The Book of Galatians, like the other epistles written by Paul, were written to believers. As our Scripture opens, Paul was urging these believers in the type of behavior that Christians ought to follow. What he taught them then is equally applicable to us today, and we ought to heed these instructions. Paul begins by urging us to walk in the Spirit (vs. 16). Christians should be walking, or living, in the power of the Holy Spirit every day. We should be in a habitual lifestyle of allowing the Holy Spirit to control our mind, will, and emotions, and not letting our unregenerate flesh, or sinful nature be in control. When a spiritual confrontation arises, we need to submit our desires to those of the Holy Spirit. One who walks by the Spirit will not carry out the strong desires of their sinful nature.
There are two forces conflicting within us - the Holy Spirit and our sinful or flesh nature (vs. 17). The desires of our sinful human nature, and that of the Holy Spirit are contrary to each other. The flesh opposes the work of the Holy Spirit, and will lead us into sinful behavior. Though the Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger, who controls our life and walk depends on who we are turning and listening to. These two are mutually exclusive. One is either led by the power of the Holy Spirit, resulting in righteous behavior and attitudes, or by the flesh, leading to unrighteous behavior. When we are led and guided by the Holy Spirit we can turn away from evil desires.
Continuing on in his epistle, Paul gives us a list of the works of the flesh (vs. 19-21). These sins characterize all of unredeemed mankind. After listing these sinful behaviors, he states that those who practice these will not inherit the kingdom of God. The word “practice” means continual, habitual actions. Although believers can, and sometimes do, commit these actions, it refers to people with uninterrupted and unrepentant practice, who cannot belong to God. Someone whose life is habitually characterized by these sins would be convicted by the Holy Spirit when committing these actions and would strive to cease such activities rather than continuing practicing them. If they are not convicted by the Holy Spirit, this shows that they are not truly a Christian. The unsaved cannot enter God’s kingdom.
Our Scripture passage ends on a much more positive and uplifting note, as Paul then lists the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which should be evident in the lives of believers as they allow the Holy Spirit to work in them (vs. 22-23). The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit within us. These are character traits found in the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first fruit listed is love. This is not the emotional, physical, or familial type of love, but agape love, respect, devotion, and affection that leads to self-sacrificial service. Joy is a feeling of well-being based on the unchanging promises of God. Peace is an inner calm that results from confidence in one's saving relationship with God. Long-suffering is enduring hardship and injuries with patience.
Continuing on with Paul’s list of fruit of the Holy Spirit we see kindness. That is tender and gentle concern for others. Goodness is moral and spiritual excellence. Another fruit is faithfulness, which is shown in loyalty and trustworthiness. Gentleness or meekness is having a humble and gentle attitude, and being patiently submissive. Lastly there is self-control, which is restraining passions and appetites.
We cannot genuinely produce these qualities on our own because our sinfulness mars them. When we are saved, and are depending on the Lord, and obeying Him, they will freely flow from us. A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit is fulfilling the law far better than one who is just observing rituals.
As we look at our lives, do we see the good fruit of the Holy Spirit, fruit that an unbeliever would be drawn to, just as someone is drawn to delectable ripe fruit on a tree or vine? Or do we see works of the flesh popping up more frequently? Let’s be walking in the Spirit, so there is more of His desirable fruit!
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