Memory Verse: “For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth”– Eph. 5:9.
Bible Verse: Galatians 5:22-23.
Introduction
One of the reasons Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit is top help us learn how to be more godly (John 16:12-15). The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin (John 16:8). and guide us in choosing well when faced with temptations, thus producing godly characteristics within us (Eph. 3.16; John 16:13). This is what Bible describes as the fruit of the fruit of the Spirit.
OUTLINES
WHY “FRUIT?”
THE OPPOSITE OF BEARING FRUIT.
WHY FRUIT
The Bible uses a lot of agricultural metaphors because they were easily understood by the highly agricultural culture of the time. The “fruit” of the Spirit” refers to the “results” we should see in our lives after receiving the Holy Spirit and working on our hearts over time. (Romans 8:9, 12:1-2). The Apostle Paul give us the componenets of the “fruit” as …love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self control. Galatians 5:21-22.
The “fruit” metaphor helps to see our faith as a tree with branches that may or may not produce fruit, depending on how well we take care of the tree itself. If we give the tree nourishment (Gods word) – 1 Peter 1:23; 2:2 then it will grow bigger. If we clear away weeds and insects (sinful tendencies)- Eph. 4: 22-31; Col. 3:8-10, then we keep the trees healthy. If we consult the “professional Gardener (God)– 1 Chro. 16:11, then we will ensure we are on the right track.
THE OPPOSITE OF BEARING FRUIT
If you are a Christian, and you are not exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in your life, at best, you will experience stagnation no-growth (James 2:14-26). At worst, the result of “bad fruit” is death (Romans 6:20-23; Proverbs 14:12). Notice that Galatians 5:22 starts with the word “But”. The Apostle Paul tell us the opposite of these spiritual fruit. Let us take a look at some of the verses just before the fruit list. ” Now the work of the flesh are manifest, which are these ” adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft,hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, rebelling, and such like : of the which I tell you before . as I have told you in the time past, that they which do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.– Gal. 5:19-21. This is a list of things that someone who does not have the Holy Spirit’s influence would have problem with.
On one hand, our sinfulness produces rotted, poisoned fruit, which reflects our sinful nature and hurts in the end. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit produces beautiful , nourishing fruit that reflects God’s nature and will ultimately benefit our lives.
QUESTIONS
Why should a Christian bear the fruit of the Spirit?
What characterize the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit?
ASSIGNMENT
Provide five (5) evidences that you have the fruit of the spirit (2×5=10 Marks).
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I know you might agree with some of the points raised in this article. You might not agree with some of the issues raised. Let me know your views about the topic discussed. We will appreciate it if you can drop your comment. Thanks in anticipation.
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