The Fruit Of The Spirit
Here is a 10 video Bible study series on the fruit of the Spirit. In it we will be breaking down each individual part of the fruit to gain a better understanding of it. But one point that is the main take away is the fruit of the Spirit is not of us at all. Otherwise there would not be a contrast in the works of the flesh compared to the fruit of the Spirit. Lets just look at the passage to understand that the fruit of the Spirit comes from the Spirit of God, and not from our selves.
...The Outline...
Galatians 5:16-18 KJV This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
...The Flesh...
Galatians 5:19-21 KJV Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
...The Spirit...
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
...The Summary...
Galatians 5:24-26 KJV And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
If you read diligently, you will see there is the contrast being made between what we do and what is through the Spirit. What we do being according to a law thinking we do right or wrong, being of the flesh. Compared to what is done through the Spirit which has no law needed to do right, but is right because it is not of the flesh, being not of ourselves.
And so without the working of God in us we can never have the fruit of the Spirit. A person may chose to have more "love" for example, but it does not make it the love of the Spirit of God. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. And the word of God is truth, not our own opinions... (keep reading to see an example of true love and false love, even according to the word of God.)
Ephesians 5:9 KJV (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
John 17:17 KJV Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
So there is false "love".
Proverbs 27:5-6 KJV Open rebuke is better than secret love. (6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
...Fake love is often a comfort in sins...
Hosea 4:17-18 KJV Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. (18) Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
Romans 1:32 KJV Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Compared to true love of God.
John 14:15 KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:12 KJV This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Revelation 3:19 KJV As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
There is also the very matter of "love thy neighbour as thyself" even mentioned in Galatians 5:14. The same chapter where the fruit of the Spirit is listed in. And even to love thy neighbour is to rebuke him according to the first mention of "love thy neighbour as thyself". Just read for yourself...
Leviticus 19:17-18 KJV Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. (18) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
And with this you should begin to see that the fruit of the Spirit can not be conjured up by any man on his own. Only through the Spirit of God can we have its fruit in our lives in truth. Else wise we only end up comparing ourselves amongst our selves, which is not wise according to the word of God (2 Corinthians 10:12).
