How’s our fruit?

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This is a very familiar passage of Scripture, I know, but how many of us actually use this as a checklist if we have been living the kind of life God wants us to live?  Sad to say, many Christians look at the fruit of the Spirit as a choice, and not something that should be seen in our lives.  Many churches focus on gifts of the Spirit, rather than the fruit.  They are more concerned with externals – how their ministries look, sound and attract, rather than how their members look ,sound and attract others to our Lord Jesus Christ!

God always looks for the fruit. 

When it came to checking if someone was a false prophet, Jesus told us we would know them by their fruit.

Matthew 7:15-17 (NIV)
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

A false prophet may be so gifted, such a charismatic speaker, but the Lord says we are to watch his life.

As early as the ministry of John the Baptist, the message of bearing fruit was clear:

Matthew 3:7-8 (NIV)
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

In other words, if we are truly repentant it will be seen in our life, in our turning away from our sin, and not in our continuing in sin.

And when it came to our call as HIs disciples Jesus had this to say:

John 15:16 (NIV)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

We were appointed to bear fruit.  Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is not by self-effort. We don’t try to bear fruit.  We allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and bring it out.

This is why we need to meditate and check – are we bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our life?  Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way, to the point that He works in us His character, and works it out in our everyday life?  Or are we allowing our flesh, our sinful nature, to have it’s way?  Everyday we are in a battle between our flesh and the Spirit.

Galatians 5:17  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

If you’re walking by the Spirit you can sense the conflict within.  On one side our flesh tells us to do something, while on the other side the Holy Spirit is moving us to do the opposite.  You know you’re bearing fruit when you DO NOT DO WHAT YOU WANT, but what the Lord wants.

We need to check.  Does this list best describe us:

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Or does this list best describe how you are living:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Bearing fruit is not a choice.  It is a natural working in the life of someone who has been born again and who has the Holy Spirit in him.

 

2 Peter 1:4“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.