05/02/2021
Are we bearing fruit in the spirit as we should? Are we listening to the instructions that Paul gave the Galatians when he wrote to them regarding how one should exhibit the Spirit in their lives? We are meant to leave our worldly behavior, and the desires of our flesh, behind, once we believe in Jess, and the Holy Spirit has come upon us, but when we look at ourselves, are we successful in this?
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 ESV
When we come to know God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, we are changed, and desire to be beyond all else spiritually attuned to them. We want more than anything to be righteous, and Christlike in our behavior, but what should this look like? How can we tell if we are bearing Spiritual fruit? Well, scripture is very specific about this, and Paul tells the Galatians how they should behave, and can identify the Spirit in them...
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
These are all good traits to have, and with the help of the Holy Spirit one would think that they should be easily achieved, but in truth we are creatures of both spirit, and flesh, and our flesh is weak. As earthly beings we are tempted, and Satan knows exactly how to pit our flesh against the spirit to keep us from being the righteous person we long to be.
“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
Galatians 5:17 ESV
Before we deny the power of fleshly temptation and sin we need to read a short list of what such temptations actually are. Paul wrote these because if we are honest with ourselves we will recognize many of them in our own lives... just as the Galatians did.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21 ESV
Whether we are tempted in one of these, or exhibit many of them, the result is the same... sin. I remember an interview when President Jimmy Carter was asked if he had ever committed adultery, and his response was so honest, and revealed his understanding of temptation and the flesh, as he responded that he had committed adultery many times in his mind. This satisfied the interviewer because the world separates thought from action, but what does God’s Word say...
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:28 ESV
So, we strive to be righteous, and remove ourselves from sin, but the world keeps rubbing our faces in it. We think we are doing well until something makes us jealous, or we are being sexually pure until one day a commercial comes on television that is seductive enough to make our minds wander. Our flesh is our weakness, and Satan is the master at exploring it. So how can we overcome our earthly selves, and dwell successfully in the Spirit?
There are many ways to avoid sin, and sinful thoughts, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Here are a few for us to think about today...
“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.”
Proverbs 4:14-16 ESV
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””
Matthew 26:41 ESV
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 ESV
So when we started looking at ourselves today did we feel pious in our belief that we were without sin, and were completely successful in bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Do we still feel that way now after taking an honest look at ourselves? Well, don’t feel like a failure because you recognized evidence of fleshly fruit in your life, because we all sin.
“What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;”
Romans 3:9-10 ESV
Knowing this, fight against it by redoubling your prayers of contrition, and ask for forgiveness, then pray for more strength in your faith so that you can resist the weaknesses of the earthly man that is chained to you. Immerse yourself in God’s Word, and turn your face away from sin, and sinners... concentrating instead on those things that are good, true, and will lead to righteousness.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for teaching us to identify the fruit of your Spirit, and to recognize those things of the flesh that work against them. Thank you Lord for reminding us that we are sinners, and wrestle throughout our lives against the flesh that surrounds our spiritual selves. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has made it possible through Jesus to gain your forgiveness for sin, and your Holy Spirit to understand that we need that forgiveness now. Praised be your name for weeding the fruit of our spirit from the fruit of our flesh that would most certainly spoil it. Merciful are you Lord for making a way for us, who are sinful men, to become righteous in Christ. Through Jesus flows your grace that lifts us above the world; giving us victory over it. Hear our prayers Father, and on the day of our judgement find us worthy in Christ of eternity with you.
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:24-25 ESV
Rich Forbes