Living by the Fruits of the Spirit

 

So, don’t unbelievers also show the “fruits of the spirit.” In other words, don’t they do good, kind things. Have joy and a positive attitude towards other people?

Is that what the Apostle Paul is really talking about in the “fruits of the Spirit” passage.

Well, let’s have a look. Galatians 5:22-23: (NASB)

¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, ²⁰ idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

So, in its context, Paul is comparing and contrasting the “deeds of the flesh,” and the “fruits of the Spirit.”

People who live for their fleshly appetites think that that is the way God created them and there is really nothing that can be done about it. That is the history of God’s people, Israel, found in the Old Testament. They could not give up their idolatrous ways.

And just any single “deeds of the flesh” can be present and a person will be considered ungodly in the eyes of God.

The point, however, is that Believers do not live under the law. In other words, this has nothing to do with works or behavior. It has everything to do with living by the Spirit. Jesus Himself is now directing our behavior.

The presence of the Spirit is the only difference between a Believer and one who lives for their appetites.

So, for instance, a “fleshly person” can certainly show kindness, or joy, or be good to other people. But it is all for one gain: to satisfy their fleshly lusts.

Paul calls them the “fruits” of the Spirit. In other words, they need to be cultivated, like strawberries. Once we become “led by the Spirit” through faith in Jesus, then our kindness, or goodness or positive moral behavior isn’t about ourselves, but about bringing glory to God.

But this takes time, like cultivating a strawberry patch. We only slowly leave behind our fleshly desires; and some good Christians really struggle in this area, never really knowing how to live for God and not for themselves.  

When a gardener cultivates something, God has a big part in it. Although, the person also must remember to plant, water and pull the weeds. It’s an ongoing process really.

It is an ongoing process to leave behind our fleshly lusts and live by the Spirit of God’s truth.

This is so no one can boast that he is better at being good, or joyful, or whatever positive trait you think pleases God. We were not saved for better works, but that God may be glorified. See Ephesians 2:8-10.