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A Comprehensive Bible Study
1. Introduction
There seems to be this belief nowadays due mainly to the emphasis placed on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that once one is baptized in the Holy Spirit and through the laying on of hands, he possesses all the power of the Holy Spirit. This belief seemingly overlooks the fact that true holiness or Christ-likeness must be the goal of all Christians. In fact, when all is said and done, one could rightly say that the surest sign that one is baptized in the Holy Spirit is not the experience of speaking in tongues, dreams, visions and other gifts of the Holy Spirit but the fruits he bears. The question one should then ask is: 'why are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and how are we to grips with it?'
The fruits of the Holy Spirit have always been a subject of great interest to theologians and common Christians alike. This is no doubt due to the fact that when the Holy Spirit is present in the life of a person, great changes take place in his life almost on a daily basis. The fruits of the Holy Spirit could thus be said to be the evidence in a man's life of the presence of the Holy Spirit. They are also the benefits directly received by individuals through the influence of the Holy Spirit. This study has been undertaken to do a comprehensive study of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the hope of unraveling heretofore hidden truths about the level of transformation the fruits of the Holy Spirit can bring about in the life of individuals and in society in general.
1.1. The Importance of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in Christian Life
The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. Galatians 5:22 challenges us to test ourselves regarding the quality of our religious experience. Although it is difficult to recognize the transformed life of the Holy Spirit when we are tested in our everyday ordinary circumstances, our response is the best evidence to others that the Holy Spirit lives within us. Our behavior is our witness. It is much easier to act godly during church or temple service, but the real challenge is to act spiritual when eating lunch with your friends, sitting in the library, or watching television/digital media. How we respond to the challenges of life is the evidence of the fruits of the Spirit as a test to the Holy Spirit's work in us.
The Holy Spirit's gift of the fruits is manifested in the words and work of a believer, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit reveals the genuine belonging and maturity of a leader. This study is an examination of key Bible verses in both the Old and New Testaments relating to the above declaration and how the Holy Spirit changes lives. It is an overview to provide aid in understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in the character development of the believer and how the presence of the Holy Spirit enables the believer to be a positive influence, leading to a productive and transformative life. In addition, Scripture commentaries of Adam Clarke, Matthew Henry, and others were used to provide context and details to enhance understanding of the full meaning of the fruits of the Spirit.
2. Theme Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23
Theme Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law." What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Fruits of the Holy Spirit are works that occur in us of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and temperance, and any other good thing that happens in us when we have received Him. They are thoughts and actions that make life better for others around us. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every walking distance and every human heart will grant you these 9 powers and wisdom and help to develop the character of God in you. Everyone can benefit from trying to have these fruits in their life. The fruit of the Spirit plays a large role in the Bible and the Christian's life. They guide us in trying to lead our lives in a way that Jesus would want us to. With the loving power of God inside every heart, hardness of heart would find love. Pride and arrogance would flee away. All diseases such as hatred, strife, jealousy, envy, anger, covetousness, greed, and all other works of the flesh find warm hospitality.
We pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to operate in each one of us and the fruits of the Spirit of peace, joy, love, and happiness to shine and exist in every believer today. We request that God may come into our hearts and spirit to replace all the anger, frustration, and we pray against jealousy, strife, and against all those things that are not of the Holy Spirit. Because where there is the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fruits of His Spirit, there is peace, there is joy, and there is love. Once the love of Jesus is within us, the fruits of the Spirit spring up, and everyone will know that we belong to the Almighty God. This message is to raise the awareness and knowledge of the body of Christ and to the world about love, joy, peace, happiness, kindness, and the fruits of the Spirit that should exist in God's children.
2.1. Contextual Background and Theological Significance
In responding to this, not only surprises but also an insult of the highest order, Paul stated that although the Galatian Christians are a congregation which he did not found, he still hoped that they might be a bastion to fend off the counterfeit teaching of the Judaizers. The theological significance of this book is such that it has a particular emphasis on two core Christian beliefs: a) rejection of righteousness by faith and b) the necessity of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. In this book, Paul set forth the greatest teaching of Christianity, namely, that one attains righteousness through faith rather than works of the law.
Among the epistles of the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Galatians at a unique time in a unique situation. If one is to read the circumstances under which this letter was written, then nothing emerges as more profound than the sour and distressful tone in Paul's voice, in addition to his soul-searching. Paul wrote this letter earlier to counteract the detrimental effect of bad influence brought to the Galatian church by the legalistic Jewish-Christians from Palestine. It appears that after the successful missionary journey by Paul in the Galatian churches, the Judaizing teachers attacked the message brought to them by Paul. They taught the Galatian Christians that obedience to the laws of Moses was necessary to enjoy the full benefit of salvation preached by Paul. They claimed that without circumcision, taught to the young Galatian community by Paul and his compatriots, one cannot attain the fullness of righteousness, but only partial. They were speaking of a partial fulfillment of the divine promises brought to man by the soul-saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Their teaching implied that Paul was preaching a half gospel, and that the teaching of Paul was not a sufficient means for man's salvation.
3. Love
Care for people's well-being says something positive. Love is not just in the look or in words; it has to express itself in practical actions too. In his first letter, John wrote that we must love "not merely in words or in speech, but in actions and in truth." That was also the message that the evangelist James wanted to convey to his readers: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,' and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." The movement from words of love to acts of love was something about which the apostles were always insisting.
One thing people often blame God for is allowing evil to carry the day. Our world is full of conflicts and wars, bitterness, hatred, and mistrust. Nations are always on the warpath; sometimes people even mock those who call for peace. That is why the Bible says that one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is love and lists love first. This fruit, kindness, stems from God's loving concern for all of His creation. Whether we realize it or not, He is always watching over us, guiding us through life, caring for us, supplying us with what is necessary both for life and for the sake of our salvation.
3.1. Agape Love: The Core of the Fruits
Hence, the Bible provides a comprehensive study of guidance offered by the Holy Spirit through the fruit symbol. Each guidepost contains suggestions or trials to facilitate divine life's transformation. These suggestions, often in the form of questions, illustrate how to consider lovingly interacting with others. Suggestions help in making smart, respectful, unselfish decisions. Divine life is an attainable goal for Christians wanting to make a difference in the future. The Holy Spirit combined with justice and morality changes intention to behavior revealing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, providing the opportunity to enhance the overall welfare of society. These fruits are the result of willing participation in the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit. They reflect God's character and encompass the criteria necessary for judging the presence and effectiveness of His guidance.
The Holy Spirit is concerned with human development and follows the natural laws of learning and development to teach and influence people open to learning from the Holy Spirit. Endowing all purported "ultimate truth" with discernment would not treat apathy, racism, misogyny, and violence as holy, as these are all behaviors condemned by the Holy Spirit. Moral and ethical guidelines and laws are required to change behavior, but these only have the power to change the mind. The Holy Spirit provides the inner motivation and encouragement to lead people to accept and apply the guidance necessary to transform human life into divine life. With completion through divine life, there could conceivably be found perfect justice and harmony. Guideposts for personal development, the fruits find no law opposing the Holy Spirit, and they point people in the right direction.
True love is more than an emotion, a passionate appeal, or a sentimental attachment, even when given unconditionally. It grows when backed by good character traits and a proper comprehension of how to reveal love to others. It should come from self-esteem, as opposed to someone being called unloving for not conceding to others' desires. The Holy Spirit allows agape love to grow within those willing to develop it. Strength, knowledge, and discernment are required for agape love to flourish, unhidden from the world. It is not selflessly striving for the welfare of others, but providing the strength, knowledge, and discernment needed to make good choices for the welfare of everyone affected by their actions, while also taking care of oneself. Others may behave negatively; it is not the person but their actions that are objectionable. The Holy Spirit provides guidance through God and Jesus Christ to help persevere in love demonstrated by both the person expressing it and the decisions they make.
4. Joy
Jesus is the basis of our joy. In John 16:23-24 Jesus said, "In that day you will ask nothing of Me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He will give to you. Hitherto you have asked nothing in My Name; ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full." Our joy can increase as we conceive and carry out God's will. John 15:1-10 states that we are the branches and our divine source is the vine, Jesus Christ. Inasmuch as we are within Jesus and do His will, we can ask the Father for what we will and we shall greatly appreciate the Truth. Our life will have more meaning. Our theology will not be just a theoretical science but a science about our lives and our entire communities. Jesus' words promote personal aspirations to holiness which is also the basis for our joy.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition defines joy as "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness." Joy is created in us by the Holy Spirit when we are deliberately predisposed to longing for God. Because His face is veiled, our divine knowledge is limited but via Holy Scripture, the Catechism, the Church fathers, and many other means, God provides us with knowledge of moral values and other truths. This knowledge can help to convert us to God and redirect our intelligence. This knowledge helps us long for God. Inasmuch as we long for God, we have joy.
4.1. The Joy of the Lord as our Strength
True joy comes from a love for the Word of Truth, obedience to Christ, and a focus on sharing the Good News with others. John 15:11 says, "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full." It also comes from a deep realization of our spiritual riches in Christ through the Cross. Sinners may appear to be happy, but they are truly searching for true joy in Christ. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit through repentance and confession, we can maintain this joy. As believers, we find joy in being part of God's eternal family, in building each other up through acts of charity guided by the Holy Spirit, and in having the peace to relax with others. We should never lose our joy by being overly concerned about the unsaved.
Our source of strength is the joy of the Lord, as stated in Nehemiah 8:10: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." When we experience the joy of the Lord and are excited about the plan of salvation, it gives us great energy to serve God more effectively. Happiness in the Lord produces joy in our souls and activity in our bodies. It banishes fear and allows us to express truth. The filling of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying joy fortify my heart when I face difficult circumstances. Praise the Lord, praise God in His sanctuary, praise Him in His mighty heavens, praise Him for His acts of power, praise Him for His surpassing greatness (Psalm 150:1, 2, 3).
5. Peace
Interpreters of the Bible believe that the peace that our Lord refers to is not peace from escape from their worldly persecution and worldly problems but a peace that will help them ride out the storm and the trials of being in His presence. This is barely touched by the vain glory, power, and avarice forms of wealth, reputation, and respect. Only the consciousness of bearing the likeness of the true God in our hearts. We possess Him as the guest and friend, and we sometimes experience for our feeble nature something inspired. This only God can give.
Peace is perhaps the most expected gift of God and association with Him. It seemed so to every man worth the name, who in ancient days shone in eloquence or war. Upon us also, the state and character in which we were created have imposed a necessity of living in peace with each other. We have to constantly remember our noble origin, not trusting in its merely trifling incidents, assured that one day it will come to its own heritage and quiet habitation. We must reconcile ourselves as quickly as possible and then adapt to it as we can to our external situation according to its requirements and the necessities of our state. We must take great care of the external man, for in his preservation consists the stability of the city.
5.1. The Peace that Surpasses All Understanding
Paul wrote this as a confidence-building prayer for Christians and it came at a time when life's conditions normally lead to anxiety. Having the peace of God guard their hearts and minds, with the Almighty peace acting as a shield, the Philippians could meet life's trials and difficulties and not be crushed by them. The peace of God becomes real and secure in Christians only when it controls their hearts and minds. The peace of God is a vital component of the Kingdom; therefore, the fruits of the Spirit that we have so far looked at are all components of the essence of God's Kingdom.
"And may the peace of God (which transcends all understanding) guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV).
War is an activity natural to man and demonstrates the nature of man. If there were many men with the mind of Christ, peace would be the norm and not the exception. The apostle Paul had this in mind when he expressively used the words below:
6. Patience
The word "patience" is found in Galatians 5:22. The word "patient" is found in Romans 2:7, 9:22, Galatians 5:22, 2 Corinthians 6:6, Colossians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:11. The Apostle Paul highlights patience as one of the key characteristics of prophets in his letters to Corinthian churches, and as something that should be exercised and expected by those who are strong in faith in the same letter. The author of the book of Hebrews said Christians will definitely benefit from patience in the first chapter of his letter. All of them urge Christians, including modern Christians, to be patient. This prompts people to seriously consider what quality patience is. What does the Bible present patience to modern people now?
Patience is an active expression of strength, endurance, restraint, and persevering calmness toward God and to others. Patience is one of the basic conduct of Christian people. The necessity, characteristics, and rewards of patience are related to many social issues of human existence. The great love assures God's faith, hope, and patience are part of the Holy Spirit's transforming work that turns trials to triumphs—from the inside out.
6.1. Endurance in Trials and Tribulations
Paul exhorts the Roman church to "rejoice in our sufferings" (Rom 5:3) just as he does: "Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence" (Rom 3:12). The overcomer in Revelation 21:7 is victorious through endurance or patience in the divine will and sufferings of Christ: "The overcomers will inherit these things, and I will be their God, and they shall be My children." There is not a reward for patience, but patience is itself the reward. It is what comes to be experienced by those who are "strengthened in all might according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering" (Col 1:11). God's presence is in our tribulations (Acts 14:22) and afflictions (1 Thess 3:4). Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:1 that our Lord likewise "suffered for us" so that we might "arm ourselves with the same mind": enduring self-sacrificing suffering in order to honor and please the Father. Furthermore, Peter announces encouragement from the Holy Spirit (1 Pet 4:14) when we suffer for Christ's sake; we are then "blessed by the spirit of glory and of God that rest upon you."
7. Kindness
Ken Blanchard in his book "The Prayer of Leader" says that sometimes it is necessary for a leader to be "brave". That kind, honest, motivational conversation against an extraordinary employee who presents apparent laziness or lack of discipline. That's very rare, for most of us, to look into someone's eyes and simply say: “I really like you, I have a lot of confidence in you… and you don't ask for 100%. What are we going to do to change that? And it is not only in the workplace, but it is also even scarier if at home not to perform some roles of spouse, friend, father, mother, and especially in the relationship with children. There are people who are truly exceptional because they realize that kindness is an ace in the sleeve of life. These are intelligent people who know that missing opportunities through deafening violence or arrogance can never be replaced. It makes every possible and impossible effort to prevent violent reactions, achieving the kindness of the neighbor. St. Thomas of Aquinas, mentioning the attitudes of the Spirit, points out that we can never pretend to be a “good person”, because we are always in the position of a traveler, we should ask the Holy Spirit every day for the great gift of kindness to reveal His will in our memory and heart. By asking for kindness, fruit from the Holy Spirit is to tell His Silence to His Will. And we must obey the whispering of our conscience as if it were the voice of the Virgin Mary of Nazareth.
In Christianity, God is love, and love creates love. Love is transformed into kindness. According to Saint Thomas, the compound from kindness is to get to know or recognize the other person clinically. According to him, this type of kindness will be based exclusively on donations from love and not calculating any benefits. According to Psychology, kindness is also an important element of emotional intelligence, and its study is part of the program for education in this intelligence. While St. Paul urges us to be kind and apply it partnership style, its words are similar to words in the Bible. At the same time, it is important to apply kindness to ourselves, what we call self-love, and kindness to all people with whom we meet, at work, business, institution, organization, as well as being members of various companies, etc. Unfortunately, there has always been, are, and will be leaders of macro and micro movements that will be extremely arrogant and evil towards themselves and others.
7.1. Practical Acts of Kindness in Daily Life
Acts of kindness should start at our home. Respect must begin here. Then it can extend outside our own home. By respecting others, we increase harmony and make others live as well as we do. Being gentle means conduct that characterizes a person devoid of pride, a sportsman who has achieved their victory. Gentleness, humility, like the fruits of the Holy Spirit, make the person act with kindness and mercy, prepared for all forms of good service and to reach out to the needs of all people, to relieve their spiritual and material misery. To be a peacemaker means bringing together men and reconciling solutions, bringing the love of God into the lives of others. Finally, to make donations or acts of kindness with humility and gentleness but also in relation to the folder to perform incongruous varieties of works, as the fruits appropriate to the various variations.
In Matthew 25:31–46, specifically in verse 42 and 43, He says that small acts of kindness to people whom no one cares about are considered acts of kindness directed to Him, God. We should be attentive to the plea of humble people with little power who are in need of help. We must not overlook the ones next to us under the pretext that we don't like them. We should not be too high to listen to those who try to open up to us and share their problems with us. We should not be indifferent to this kind of atmosphere surrounding us. At the beginning, we must start by trying to transform our hearts and not merely our physique. This transformation will make us more kind, more patient, and receptive to the needs of others. When we help someone, it should not be just for show or to be paid for. The most important thing is that our activity becomes a way of expressing friendship to others.
8. Goodness
God's essential motivation is to show goodness and generosity where it cannot be expected by human logic. This makes God's mercy absolutely free and not the result of anything done by those He shows mercy to. Hence, human beings should be free from any calculation or deliberation, simply loving and seeking the best possible ends for others, following God's example in the acts of Jesus. The God of the visible miracles is already God's evidence. However, words form a less direct means of communication than miracles and are more easily influenced by human freedom. Human beings judge God by the standard of their own understanding and capacity for love instead of judging themselves by God. Meanwhile, love and goodness do not ignore laws, and any love that eliminates the cultural foundations of man destroys him.
Does one exhibit goodness when he must strongly hold himself back from utilizing the full extent of his power when his adversary presents a scenario that is equal to or worse than his own? The fruits of the Holy Spirit help us to recognize extraordinary situations to exhibit spiritual characteristics we never use in the normal course of life. There is no consideration of self in goodness and therefore none of the "righteousness" of scribes and Pharisees. This is goodness that goes out beyond the limits of self-interest, reflecting divine goodness. That is why those who do not give sufficient attention to mercy will have no part in God's goodness.
8.1. Reflecting God's Goodness in a Broken World
Love is the highest priority. God created each of us out of love that demands nothing in return. Since love is the highest priority for God, it must also be for us. It is love by which others know we are his disciples. It is love that manifests the presence of the Holy Spirit, who unites us into the communion of saints. Love for one another is the surest way we know that his place will continue to be with us in this life so that he may also be with us in the next. We are renewed, not by never-ending power to reveal the goodness of God's love to others. God's love enables us to know that God is the gracious Father, with whom all things are possible to achieve perfection. His love is all around us and allows us the comfort and freedom to give ourselves to others. To love others is to reflect our appreciation for the love, forgiveness, and mercy that we have received from God. The command to love thus can be restated in these words: "Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you need to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification."
The power of love is without a doubt the greatest power in the universe - when God is love and is the creator and sustainer of the entire universe. The overflow of that perfect love which has long existed between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the unconditional love of God that created man in his own image, which seeks to communicate with man and is patient and full of mercy toward the myriad of foolish and often outright defiant actions and attitudes of man's best effort to demonstrate love for God by choosing good instead of evil.
9. Faithfulness
What is Faithfulness? "Faithfulness" is another word that has to be brought up to date. Yet, by the very process of doing so, one risks throwing out some very distinctive and powerfully evocative ideas attached to an English word with such a significant history. The word "faithfulness" is synonymous with "fidelity", to which it gives the sense of meaning in marital or sexual faithfulness or trustworthiness. In these instances only, do we reflect a sense of allegiance. Crucially, "faithfulness" is almost never used to imply allegiance to a God, something which is usually reserved for the word "faith".
Introduction In this chapter, we will explore the word "faithfulness" and what it means today. This chapter will help us to see the equivalent old words more clearly. At the same time, it serves as a model of how one may communicate the word of the Bible in a modern landscape. It opens up so much more for us.
Key/Outline: What is faithfulness? Faith and faithfulness, like other traditional translations, are ambiguous and even misleading in modern times. We need to distinguish one type of faith or faithfulness from the other. Genuine meaning of faithfulness in modern time. Putting faith and faithfulness interchangeably helps achieve the literary balance between historical distance and modern relevance. Synchronous translation is the bedrock of a Bible-study method as well as Scriptura scripturam interpretatur. The genuineness of faithfulness has value in its own right.
9.1. Steadfastness in the Journey of Faith
While this commitment is not written in the sense of compulsion, it is written in the sense of a certain future event. The starting and the completion are not human action but God's character. Here, God, to make the life of a person stand firm, shapes the person himself. Indeed, the next section we consider, the difficulties section, has a lot to say about God working in us through the trials of life. We are to consider how we can better deal with trials of life through the development of certain attitudes and how God is working in us to meet the conditions of our maturity test. He will not desert us in either of these life roles.
Because our Lord went to the farthest length, giving Himself on the cross to save us, He made the firmest commitment possible to bring redeemed children to Himself in heaven and start them on a new, faultless beginning. God has kept His word to make Christians stand firm to the end. Faith in what God promised through Jesus' death is the foundation of a Christian's life. It was this faith that allowed him to enter the Christian life and also ensures his completion. Many people, in their day, start going down the path to follow Jesus but give up later because it is not smooth. People commit to follow Jesus, but when trials begin, they get tired. With faith, on the other hand, people get the power to persevere and to press on in the face of difficulties.
10. Gentleness
No other mention of gentleness of this kind is cited in the New Testament. In fact, from this positive way of envisaging the word in secular Greek, only this direct mention points to a positive usage of the word. It is used four times in relation to people in the LXX. God does not want someone contentious of heart towards a neighbor, but a man who is in agreement and gentle. The inheritance of the gentle is the joy of peace and prosperity. If a king wants an adulterous nation to become so disheartened that it repents, the last thing he does is send a gentle messenger. When Jesus meekly rode into Jerusalem on an ass, He did so to be "gentle" to the inhabitants of the Jews. But, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was scorned and forsaken by men; a man of sorrow and familiar with suffering; like one from whom men hide their faces, and we despised Him, and we did not esteem Him.
Gentleness is associated with yielding, being humble, or being a meek person in English. In Galatians 5, gentleness is placed in a very interesting position. Greeks see gentleness as the most masculine of all virtues. To them, it implies dominating a situation to prevent an angry overreaction from causing a problem that is difficult to reverse. Discretion is the better part of valor. Aristotle, in applying it to the disposition of the soul, considered it a "middle" attitude between irritability and negligence. He pointed out that two reasons supported his finding: First, the disposition of the soul is disturbed by correct things in the correct manner and the fact that those who are mild are free from such dispositions. Second, a mild individual is firm in the midst of sudden danger and can oppose great strength without anger against the protagonist.
10.1. The Power of Humility and Gentleness
Both humility and gentleness are regarded as the two keys to knowledge because they dispose both the head and the heart to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. However, especially in modern times, being humble is regarded as a weakness, while being gentle is considered to be stupid and too emotional. But humility and gentleness are the attributes of everyone who wants to live a complete life. Humility and gentleness are two virtues that allow us to face the trials of life in a manner that is good for us and for others, to bear every type of suffering with love, and to enjoy all the moments of joy and laughter in life.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit engender a growth in the virtues that allow us to be disposed to follow willingly the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and to ultimately become the people that God has meant for us. There are two foundational spiritual virtues that I consider the keystone to achieve this sonship and daughtership intended for us, namely humility and gentleness.
11. Self-Control
It is important to recognize that self-control transcends both public and private morality. Self-control takes temperance to another level than simply abstaining from gross indulgences. It leads to the true measure of sexual morality. It enables one to endure body language, conformist pressures, even physical coercion affirming discipline on the battlefield of faith. It enables one to manifest composure in extreme situations. The Oxford Thesaurus supplies an impressive variety in providing synonyms for self-control: self-discipline, self-command, self-restraint, willpower, the power of the will, the restraining power of the mind over its own actions or desires, the power to control oneself as in the expression "willpower kept her going".
Self-control is the ninth and final fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is more than the custodian of all the remaining fruits; it is the fruit of fruits, the fruit to which the others, singly or collectively, point the way. The individual who is a bearer of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control is, most precisely, a person of self-control. The collective fruits all exemplify self-control, which has subsidiary definitions like temperance, forbearance, discipline, and composure. In self-control, all are brought to realization and harmonious expression.
11.1. Mastering Self-Control in a World of Temptations
Among his qualities and virtues, Jesus exhibited enormous self-control. An interesting part of the personality of Jesus was the degrees and ways he used self-control in different situations. Although he exercised uncontrollable anger toward the money changers in the temple, other times showed significant patience, tolerance, forbearance, and graciousness toward others. We reflect on the events of Jesus' trial, including his humiliation, public scourging, and crucifixion. Jesus had the power and the authority at any point to have stopped the Passion. Part of the kenosis involved Jesus' self-restraint from the use of his own divine power, not only during the time of his temptation but also at other times. Jesus expressed self-control through his restraint from the use of his own divine powers in a manner that might lead to the abuse of such powers. We can't forget the way Jesus was in control by not using force, not becoming irritated or frustrated, and also bodily refusing drink, maintaining a mind of peace and staying in faith to the very end. These mentioned commanded and demanded self-control, quiet reflection through prayerful concentration.
We learn about the fruit of self-control in a few instances throughout the Bible. We learn in Proverbs 25:28, "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." The writer is not talking about a specific instance but is addressing anyone whose life is threatened by a habitual attitude of getting nowhere in life. People with no ability to control their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors are those whose spirits are exposed to anything that comes. It is the person without spiritual self-control, a lack of ability to abstain from worldly abuse, who is disposed and vulnerable. A strong person may listen without becoming angry, choose righteousness without acting on that choice, as a lonely person can resist despair. These thoughts are fleshed out in Galatians 5:22-23. Here we see self-control placed last. Though the underlying context of S/T means that the last thing mentioned is most important, it seems that self-control is placed at the end because it is woven throughout the fabric of the entire salvation history.
12. Conclusion
Having established the basis, the next logical step was to investigate the source—the grace of love by means of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. First, the Book of Job was used to marshal evidence supporting the position that the doctrine of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit is a consistent doctrine of the Bible. After settling the terminology, the approach then became straight exegetical. Details about the character and behavior of these individuals were searched for in every occurrence of each one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in the Bible because, as clinicians would argue, there is no better method than relying on the behaviors of individuals known to possess a certain characteristic. After showing that Churches of God contain individuals portraying all of these attributes, two groups were compared. Possible ideas on systematic change were briefly discussed.
To briefly recap, the present article utilized the unique approach of a comprehensive study of the Bible addressing the deep and central issue of human behavior—a dimension of serious concern to theologians and psychologists alike. This study revolved around the attributes frequently linked to certain behavior. After establishing a detailed base on the subject with the First Epistle of John, the Synoptic Gospels and the Latter Epistles, extensive extracts from the Hebrew Bible were examined to provide crucial historical background and insightful wisdom of other older writings, which indicated themes found in the aforementioned New Testament books. This material was subsequently supplemented with details about the character of Jesus Christ and wisdom from the Biblical wisdom books. These were followed by sections that filled in the picture and emphasized important elements associated with loving behavior that make people of God stand out in society: discernment for today’s society of confusion, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, faith, love, and hope. These findings were summarized in an appendix.
12.1. Living Out the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in a Chaotic World
Our prayer is that we be receptive to the transformative strength of the fruits of the Holy Spirit implanted in us by our heavenly Father. Ultimately, love, joy, respect, altruism, good faith, meekness, responsibility, moderation, forgiveness, grace, endurance show our soul's evolution, unites us with God, and helps us to create a loving and caring world.
Jesus, being fully God and also fully man, saw both the tangible and spiritual confusion that clouded the path of fallen man. This might be why Jesus mentioned the Holy Spirit to his disciples before he passed away. He chose to help them understand what the Holy Spirit was expected to do in their lives, and this comforted them. When Jesus "commissioned" his disciples, he promised the Holy Spirit would come along to strengthen and help them; they would become true witnesses of Him to the world. Their eyes and ears were told of two significant settings so that they could observe the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. There was no need for fear or remorse. When they have the Holy Ghost in them, their spirit will assist.
The chaotic world of chaos: Embracing the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives and relationships is not easy at all in a world that is in continuous chaos. Everywhere I go, I receive signals about the chaotic state of man: it is not only refugees around the world or wars, ethnic conflicts, political instabilities, financial crises, or natural disasters. We are in the middle of a perfect storm. The pace of daily life is so rapid that we appear to forget God. The world we live in is in chaos, and only the energy, power, and transforming work of God in our own lives and the lives of others can move the shattered world from chaos to a loving, caring, good, and holy world. We are almost deaf and blind to the suffering of others and to the dynamism of the Holy Spirit around us. I often think the world is spinning so fast that we are unable to discern the tracks of the Holy Spirit or to hear God's word. Temporal and material mandates buckle and curve down our ankles. Are our ears only there to listen to the pleasures of life? Are their eyes our look only to what separates us from God? Will our heart and soul prefer wealth, honors, self-indulgence, and pride?
May the peace of God dwell within you throughout this week. If you've been touched by today's message and wish to explore deeper faith, join us for Sunday services at AFM in Canada. Together, we can grow in love, strengthen our community, and uplift each other in our spiritual journeys. We look forward to welcoming you into our family. Blessings and grace be upon you.
Senior Pastor
Leo T Mukumba
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