Galatians 5:22-23 tells us how to walk in the Spirit. However, if you start at verse 16, it tells us to walk in the Spirit so that we don’t fulfill the lust of flesh. Then it goes on to say that the flesh and the spirit are contrary to one another, which is why you don’t do the things you want to do (verse 17). In other words, your Spirit wants to make godly choices, but your flesh is in opposition (conflict, oppose, not in agreement). Let’s walk through the other verses:
- Verse 18 tells us that if we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law.
- Verse 19 goes on to list the works of the flesh, which most of us would consider sin (sexually immorality, lewdness, hatred, sorcery, murders, outbursts of wrath and much more). No one who does these things will share/inherit in the blessings of God’s kingdom.
- First, let’s remember that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). No one is perfect, but the scripture says we should not practice these things (commit, make them a way of life, perpetrate, habitual sin).
- We can guard ourselves from the works of the flesh by staying submitted to Holy Spirit and allowing Him to lead us and direct every aspect of our lives.
- Now, we come upon verses 22-23, which speaks of the fruit of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. (AMP)
The fruit of the Spirit brings us to a place where we are not measured or rated against the law. The law was established in the Old Testament:
- The first mention of the Law to the nation of Israel was as a covenant—it was a legal agreement between God and the people. The Ten Commandments was their first introduction to the law, but the entire Law contains over 600 commandments, which is outlined in the first five books of the Bible (Pentateuch).
- The law had a purpose. It was established because of sins and transgressions. It was put in place to maintain and order and protect the people.
- The law pointed out the sinfulness nature of man and proved that were incapable of keeping the covenant. It also brought conviction and showed our need for a Savior. Paul even says that he would not have known what sin was unless the law pointed it out to him (Romans 7:7).
- The good news is that once Jesus came, the law was fulfilled. Scripture tells us that He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law (Matt 5:17). Jesus was a teacher; he lived a holy life and obeyed the law himself (he knew no sin 2 Cor 5:21). His purpose was to fulfill the Old Testament and build the New one (embody and fully accomplish all that was written in the scripture).
John 1:17 (AMP) – For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Acts 13:39 (AMP) – and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and freed of guilt through the Law of Moses.
Now, let’s review the fruit of the Spirit more deeply. Galatians 5:22-23 says the fruit of the Spirit (God in us) operates and behaves in this manner: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- When the fruit of Spirit is fully operational in our lives, we are functioning like God and His character is being demonstrated in our lives.
- We are made in the image and likeness of God, but sometimes you cannot see it because of our behavior.
- Once again, when we have these attributes fully operating in our lives, there is no need for the law. What can measure up against love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Nothing can.
- As we expand our capacity to believe, let us also remember that the fruit of the Spirit (all nine) are evidence that the Spirit of God is in us and working through us.
- All nine fruit can operate in us at the same time. However, because of our human condition we struggle in some of these areas. For example, you might be great at expressing love, but you may struggle with self-control.
- Wherever there is room for improvement, Holy Spirit will bring it to your attention.
- Whatever challenge you are facing, confess it to God and ask Him to help you in that area. You might be asking what does that look like?
Father God, I want the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in my life. I am not perfect, but you are perfect in all Your ways. I know that I need to be more gentle, kind and patient. Show me how to be gentle (tender, soft, calm, mild) and let me know when I’m being too harsh or rough around the edges. When things don’t go my way, help me to have patience and remain peaceful and calm knowing that everything is working together for my good and that you have my best interest at heart. I also need to have more self-control. Teach me how to be disciplined and restrained. Help me to be in control of my emotions and make good decisions. I need your wisdom so that I can make good choices when it comes to my health, spending, relationships and other things I desire. I want to be the woman/man of God that you called me to be. I’m your child and I want your character to permeate (infuse) my being from the inside out. Even now, I declare that all the fruit of the Spirit are operating in my life from this day forward. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Testimony: I can tell you that when I spent time in the presence of God on a regular basis, all nine fruit were operational. I could look at myself in the mirror and see God – and for the first time in my life, I liked what I saw. I liked myself and the peace of God was in me and upon me. How? Because God is love, joy, peace, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and he has self-control. And when you dwell in His presence, you can only mirror or project His character. Be careful, because it can slowly diminish when you stop relying on Him and become wise in your own eyes and allow the cares of this life to overtake you.
Finally, 2 Peter 1:5-11 speaks about fruitful growth in the faith:
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
