Bible Study "The Fruit of the Spirit"
By Glenn Pease]
Date (2/18 /14)
Introduction
PART 2
We have nine weeks of study on the "Fruit of the Spirit;" below are the table of content for this study.
1. The Fruit of Love
2. The Fruit of Joy
3. The Fruit of Peace
4. The Fruit of Longsuffering
5. The Fruit of Gentleness
6. The Fruit of Goodness
7. The Fruit of Faith
8. The Fruit of Meekness
9. The Fruit of Temperance (self-control)
Starting in chapter (1) we will have reflection questions and personal prayers at the end of each study. We will post Isaiah 55:11 at the end of each study, because God's Word is powerful, and He is faithful, and it will accomplish what we need in this study. AMEN!
I couldn't find the book for this study to share with you, sorry. Below is a link to the PDF
I will be reading "Fruit of the Spirit" by Lara Velez founder of Moms of Faith.
Lara Velez's Introduction:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. - Galatians 5:22-23
Unfortunately, many in the church today have no clue what the Fruit of the Spirit is or how significant it is. It is not only important to learn about it and walk in the spirit, it is equally important to search for it in others. The Word clearly tells us that we will know them (other Believers) by their fruit. When we give our lives to Christ and allow Him to be Lord of our lives. We begin our Christian walk. As we grow in the Lord we also grow "fruit" (or spiritual qualities). The closer we get in our relationship with God the more we recognize sin in our lives, and the more uncomfortable we become with it. If we are growing we will bare good fruit and the manifestation will be the character qualities found in Galatians 5. We will also become more aware of our fleshly tendencies and desire to turn from them.
On the flip side, if we decide to "go our own way," and not allow God to work in our lives, we will gradually become desensitized and not even recognize what is sin and what is not. That is what is happening to the Church today. The Church is becoming "liberal." Meaning, it is picking and choosing what is and should be called "sin" for our "times." We have forgotten the God and His Word are the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER! God does not "change" for man or "times."
If you want to bear good fruit, submit and obey God and HIS Word, NOT the world's interpretation of what it "should" be to fit its sinful nature and desires.
You can also know if someone is truly God's by what comes out of them. Does it line up with the Word? Do they bear good fruit? Or, do they try to adapt the Word with the "times" we live in? Be VERY careful of those wolves. They are everywhere, even in the Church…
Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit, but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. - Matthew 7:15-23
Sadly, I have encountered many "Christians" who are really wolves and bear no good fruit. Sure, they play a good game and have the appearance or illusion of godliness. However, they are really suffering from a rotten core and their trees only appear to be full of beautiful fruit. The sad reality is that on the inside they are decaying, ugly, and devour everything good in their path.
Be diligent and aware of these people and the condition of your own heart as well… lest you become one of these with rotten cores.
We battle not with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalities. We have a very real battle with our flesh and spirit. In this Bible study, we will dig deeper into the Fruit of the Spirit and how to walk fully in the spirit.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." - Ephesians 6:12-13
Part of our armor and ability to battle our flesh is to learn how to walk in the spirit.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your Word. Help us to remember all that we learn in this study, and remind us when we need a refresher course. We love You so very much. We want our life to be a living example of Your Grace, Love, and Mercy. We want others to see Your Light shining brightly through us. We want to walk in the Spirit and cut out our fleshly and sinful nature. Teach us, Lord. We are the clay and YOU are the Potter. Mold us into the beautiful, fruit bearing tree, that You created us to be. Thank You for Your Word and Your unfailing Love. In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.
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