Godly Principles and the Fruits of the Spirit

8/8/2019 Godly Principles and the Fruits of the Spirit

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Godly Pr inc ip les an d The Fr u i t s o f th e Sp i r i t

R o m 5 :55 An d h o p e d o e s n o t d i s a p p o i n t u s , b e c a u s e Go d h a s p o u r e d o u t h i s lo vei n t o o u r h e a r t s b y t h e H o l y S p ir i t , wh o m h e h a s g ive n u s . NIV

With our passion for God ignited, and armed with the gifts God has given us to livevictorious spiritual lives, our next step is to grow our spiritual lives toward the continualpursuit of being like Jesus.

T h e S p i r i t Wi t h i n Us

When we became Christians we received the gift of the forgiveness of our sin; yet, we arestill in need of transformation. This is because there is a great disparity between ourfaith, understanding, trust and wisdom, and that belonging to Jesus.

It would have been nice of God to provide us with all of these things at the time of ourdecision to follow Him; yet, God decided it was sufficient enough to provide us with HisHoly Spirit to produce in us the changes that we need - during the period of time that wehave while we live on the earth.

God has given us His Holy Spirit to be able to work internally in our hearts to developcertain fruits of his character that do not come naturally to us:

Gal 5:22-2322 But th e f ru i t o f the Sp i r i t i s love , joy, peace , pa t ien ce , k in dn ess ,goodn ess , fa i th fu lne ss , 23 gen t leness an d se lf -con t r o l . Aga in s t such th in gst h e r e i s n o l a w. NI V

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-controlare all descriptions of who God is, and by giving us of His Spirit - it makes sense that theSpirit will produce these fruits in us as well.

O u r P a r t I n Th i s St o r y

Yet, the Spirit of God, though powerful, will not overpower us and force us to becomethese things against our own will. It is together with our decision to pursue thesequalities that God's Spirit effects these changes; yet only if we are willing.

As the Bible says:

R o m 8 : 1414 b e c a u s e t h o s e w h o a r e l e d b y th e S p ir i t o f Go d a r e s o n s o f Go d .NI V

Gal 5:2525 S in ce we l ive by the Sp i r i t , le t u s keep in s tep wi th th e Sp i r i t .NIV


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E p h 4 : 3 03 0 An d d o n o t g r i e ve t h e H o l y S p ir i t o f Go d , wit h wh o m yo u we r e s e a le d f o rt h e d a y o f r e d e m p t i o n . NIV

These scriptures do show that the decisions that we make have an influence on the work

of the Spirit in our lives. Therefore, our lives must be focused on growing in all of thefruits of the Spirit, which means the pursuit of a life that is more loving, patient, joyful,kind, gentle, etc.

We also need to pray for God to effect these changes in our lives as often as possible, aswell as, expose ourselves to scriptures that show us the faithful examples of the men andwomen who had the Spirit - especially Jesus.

Though our efforts will not create the change, our willingness will facilitate the Spiritswork in our lives to transform us into the likeness of Christ:

2 Co r 3:17-1818 And we , wh o wi th u n ve iled faces a l l r e f lect the Lor d ' s g lo r y , a r e be ingt r a n s fo r m e d i n t o h i s lik e n e s s w i th e v e r - in c r e a s i n g glo r y, wh i c h c o m e s fr o mt h e L o r d , wh o i s t h e S p i r i t . NIV

We S o m e t i m e s F a l l S h o r t

Where we fall short, the Spirit will take up the slack and align our desire for change withGods will. This creates a supernatural transformation in our lives:

R o m 8 : 2 6 -2 72 6 I n t h e s a m e w a y, t h e S p ir i t h e lp s u s i n o u r w e a k n e s s . W e d o n o t k n o w

wh a t we o u g h t t o p r a y fo r , b u t t h e S p i r i t h i m s e lf i n t e r c e d e s f o r u s wi t hgr o a n s t h a t w o r d s ca n n o t e xp r e s s . 2 7 An d h e w h o s e a r c h e s o u r h e a r t sk n o ws t h e m i n d o f t h e S p ir i t , b e ca u s e t h e S p i r i t i n t e r c e d e s f o r t h e s a in t s inaccor dan ce wi th God ' s wi ll . NIV

As the Spirit intercedes to God for us in prayer, it is our responsibility to align ourdecisions and actions in line with that of His Holy Spirit - by pursuing a life of truerighteousness and holiness:

R o m 8 : 5 -6b u t t h o s e w h o li ve i n a c c o r d a n c e wit h t h e S p i r i t h a v e t h e i r m i n d s s e t o n

wh a t t h e S p ir i t d e s i r e s . NIV

Ridding ourselves of all things that go against Gods purpose for our lives:

Ro m 8 :13-1413 For i f you l ive accor d ing to th e s in fu l na tu r e , you w i ll d ie ; bu t i f by theSpi r i t you pu t to dea th th e m isdeed s o f the b ody , you wi ll live , NIV


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And, pursuing a life motivated by the purpose of pleasing the Spirit of God:

Ga l 6:7-88 T h e o n e w h o s o ws t o p le a s e h i s s in f u l n a t u r e , fr o m t h a t n a t u r e wi ll r e a pd e s t r u c t io n ; t h e o n e w h o s o w s t o p l e a s e t h e S p ir i t , fr o m t h e S p i r i t w i ll r e a p

e te r n a l l ife . NIV

Therefore, with the help of Gods Spirit to help us in our daily pursuit of a holy life, wecannot fail in our desire to live a life that is pleasing to God - and one that will end in oureternal salvation. Where we fall short, the Spirit prays for us; where we fight to stayrighteous, the Spirit will give us the power to overcome.

Again, with Gods help there is no defeating us, as the Bible says:

Pr ov 21:303 0 T h e r e i s n o wi s d o m , n o in s ig h t , n o p l a nt h a t c a n s u c ce e d a g a in s t t h e L OR D. NI V

In conclusion, we need to keep in step with the Spirit by pursuing the godly qualitiesthat describe God in all of His righteousness and holiness.

Only then can we truly have an internal victory, establishing a foundation of true godlyconviction, which will effect a true spiritual transformation in our lives; setting thebattlefield to our advantage, and leading us to the glory of God - which we, as Christsambassadors, so desperately and passionately desire, deep within our hearts.

Ques t ion fo r r e f lec t ion :

What resources can you utilize to help you keep in step with the changes the Holy Spiritis trying to make in your life?

Decis ion :

I will live a life devoted to keeping in step with Gods Holy Spirit, by pursuing the fruitsof the Spirit in my daily life.

S cr i p t u r e m e m o r y :

Gal 5 :2525 S in ce we l ive by the Sp i r i t , le t u s keep in s tep wi th th e Sp i r i t . NIV

Prac t ice :

I will set my mind on what Gods Holy Spirit desires, and strive to live the fruits of theSpirit in every circumstance I face today.

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Godly Principles and the Fruits of the Spirit