THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Pastor Floyd Koenig

Gal. 5:16-26

INTRODUCTION

There are two contrary powers that are active within every born-again child of God (v. 17).

1. The Spirit of God indwells all believers and leads them into the way of righteousness (v. 18).

2. The flesh (the old nature) of course leads in opposition to the Holy Spirit and the new nature.

3. This produces a constant battle in the life of every believer (Rom. 7:15-23).

4. This constant battle causes the child of God to long for release from the flesh (vv. 7:24-25; 8:23).

 We find here in our text, that both of these powers will produce certain characteristics and works in the life of an individual who submits to them (Gal. 5:19-23). 1. While either the "works of the flesh" or the "fruit of the Spirit" may be produced in a Christian’s life, yet Paul makes it plain that saints are characterized by spiritual fruit.

2. The flesh is not dead in a Christian, but it has been crucified (Gal. 5:24).

3. The terms "crucifixion" and "mortification" are used in the Bible to describe the slow death and weakening of the power of the flesh in a Christian’s life.

4. Those whose lives are characterized by the "works of the flesh," will not enter God’s kingdom (Gal. 5:21).

We want to consider several things about "THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT."

I. THE SOURCE OF THE CHRISTIAN’S FRUIT

A. Why must the Christian wrestle with the flesh in this life?

1. We must wrestle with the flesh in order that God may teach us that all spiritual good is of Him.

2. Our old nature can produce nothing that is pleasing to the Lord.

3. Everything that pleases God in a Christian, must be attributed to the works of the Spirit.

 B. The Christian can only produce good fruit by submitting to the Holy Spirit. 1. As we yield to the Spirit, these characteristics will be produced in our life.

2. This truth is illustrated by our Savior in John 15:4-5, where He speaks of Himself as the "Vine" and Christians as the "branches."

3. Without a spiritual union with Christ through His Spirit, there could be no flow of life into the child of God.

 II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE "FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT"

- The importance of the "fruit of the Spirit" in a Christian’s life may be seen by comparing it with the "gifts of the Spirit."

- While both are produced by God, yet it is clear that the "fruit of the Spirit" is much more important as a test of true spirituality.

A. The "gifts of the Spirit" offer no proof of salvation, for they have been given at times even to the unsaved, such as Balaam and Judas.

1. The "fruit of the Spirit," however, can only be produced in the life of those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. B. The "gifts of the Spirit" may be used as a means of personal glorification rather than common edification. 1. The very nature of the "fruit of the Spirit" prevents its misuse for selfish ends (I Cor. 12-14).

2. True love, for instance, is not selfish (I Cor. 13:1-7).

 C. The "gifts of the Spirit" are sovereignly dispensed by God, while every Christian may produce the "fruit of the Spirit." 1. Spiritual gifts are sometimes placed in the lives of the proud and selfish, while spiritual fruit may only be produced by Christians who are consecrated and submitted to the Lord. D. Love (a fruit of the Spirit) is clearly shown to be superior to the "gifts of the Spirit"(I Cor. 12:31-13:13). 1. The "gifts of the Spirit" must be regulated by love or they will fail to attain their proper end of edifying God’s people. Spiritual gifts have their God-given purpose, but we must remember the "fruit of the Spirit" reveal our relationship to God, and form our Christian character.

Without the Christ-like spirit produced in us by submission to God, all else is vain and our testimony is useless.

III. THE NATURE OF THE "FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT"

The "fruit of the Spirit" is contrasted with the deeds of the flesh. The deeds of the flesh are done by a person’s own efforts, whether he is saved or unsaved. The "fruit of the Spirit," on the other hand, is produced by God’s own Spirit and only in the lives of those who belong to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

The "fruit of the Spirit" is an outward indication of salvation. A believer’s sonship to God and citizenship in His kingdom are manifested by the fruit the Spirit produces in his life.

Where there is no evidence of spiritual fruit, there can be no salvation (Gal. 5: 21; Mt. 7:15-20).

In Galatians 5:22-23, we find nine characteristics of the godly fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.

A. The first characteristic of spiritual fruit is LOVE.

1. This is affection toward God and man.

2. This is the supreme virtue of Christian living (I Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:14; Rom. 13:10).

3. This love is produced by the new birth (I Jn. 4:7-8).

4. Jesus is the supreme example of this supreme virtue (Rom. 5:6, 8)

5. We see the characteristics of this love in I Cor. 13:1-8.

6. Only as we are controlled by God’s Spirit can we love as we should.

 B. The second manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit is JOY. 1. Joy is the deep down sense of well-being that comes from knowing God and believing His promises.

2. It is God’s gift to believers.

3. This joy does not come from favorable human circumstances, but is sometimes greatest when those circumstances are the most painful and severe (Jn. 16:20-22).

4. Jesus Himself is our supreme example of this joy (Heb. 12:2-3).

- Despite the fact that He was misunderstood, rejected, hated, and nailed to the cross by wicked men, He never lost His joy in the relationship He had with the Father.

5. Joy is necessary for Christian service (Ps. 51:12-13).

 C. The third characteristic of spiritual fruit is PEACE. 1. It is the tranquillity of mind that comes from believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1).

2. Peace is a result of knowing that God is in control of all aspects of our lives (Rom. 8:28).

3. Peace comes from knowing that we are secure in the Lord (II Tim. 1:12).

4. Jesus was the Prince of Peace.

- He was supremely peaceful Himself, and He dispenses His peace to those who are His.

5. We have peace of mind and heart, knowing that God is able to meet every need (Phil. 4:6-7).

 D. The fourth characteristic of spiritual fruit is LONGSUFFERING. 1. This is the Christian’s trait of not being easily offended or provoked.

2. Jesus Christ is our supreme example of one who was longsuffering.

- The salvation of Paul, was an example of Christ’s longsuffering toward sinners (I Tim. 1:15-16).

 E. The fifth characteristic of spiritual fruit is GENTLENESS. 1. This is the kind and benevolent spirit seen in those who walk with God.

2. It is the genuine desire of a believer to treat others gently, just as the Lord treats him.

3. Jesus’ kindness is the believer’s example (Mt. 11:28-29).

 F. The sixth characteristic of spiritual fruit is GOODNESS. 1. This is a moral and spiritual excellence that is known by its sweetness and acts of kindness.

2. It is the goodness that benefits others even as Christ "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38).

3. Believers are commanded to exemplify goodness (Gal. 6:10).

 G. The seventh characteristic of spiritual fruit is FAITH. 1. Faith has to do with loyalty and trustworthiness.

2. All true faith is produced by God’s Spirit whether it be saving faith or the faith exercised in God’s promises on a daily basis as needs and trials arise.

3. Jesus is our supreme example of faithfulness.

- He humbled Himself by becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

- And because of the Son’s faithfulness, the Father highly exalted Him and set Him as Lord over all (Phil. 2:7-9).
 
 

 H. The eighth characteristic of spiritual fruit is MEEKNESS. 1. It is that humble and gentle attitude that is patiently submissive in every offense, while being free of any desire for revenge or retribution.

2. Jesus was gentle and humble in heart (Mt. 11:29).

3. Like their Lord, believers are to actively pursue meekness and gentleness (I Tim. 6:11).

 I. The ninth characteristic of spiritual fruit is TEMPERANCE. 1. This is the self-control and moderation found in those who live only for the glory of God.

2. It has reference to restraining passions and appetites.

3. In His incarnation, Christ was the perfect example of self-control.

- He never said or did anything contrary to His Father’s will or to His own divine nature.

4. Believers should exercise self-control in all things (I Cor. 9:25-27).

 CONCLUSION 1. Spirit-filled Christians will manifest all the "fruit of the Spirit" because the "mind of Christ" is in them (Phil. 2:5).

2. As they are controlled by God’s Spirit, they will become more Christ-like in every area of their character.

3. The closeness of our relationship to the Holy Spirit is easily judged by the manifestation of the "fruit of the Spirit" in our lives.

4. Either the flesh or the Spirit is forming our character on a day-by-day basis.
 
 

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