We continue our discussion on the Fruit of the Spirit with the final three attributes presented by the Apostle Paul found in Galatians 5:23.
Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control cap off his personal list of nine qualities we all admire in others. Once again, these final three also deserve a closer in-depth analysis.
Let’s take a close look at this issue of faith. The question is faith in who or what?
Athletes often talk about faith in their God-given ability. But their emphasis is on their hard work and perseverance to overcome great odds to become the best in their field of endeavor.
Whereas Jesus presents a much different picture in Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
He’s telling us to put our faith in our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly future rather than things here in our earthly existence.
He continues in verse 34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
That’s awfully good advice on what’s really important as we muddle through our short time on this planet. Our faithfulness requires focus on eternal rather than temporal matters.
Now gentleness is a totally different matter. Having a gentle spirit requires a pure heart.
Listen to these words of Jesus from Matthew 5:43-45, which speak to this concept of gentleness:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Do you demonstrate a gentleness in all aspects of your life? Jesus certainly did. Yet He did it with authority.
Jesus taught us compassion. He was always putting the needs of others before His own. But, He’s much more than an example. He followed His Father’s implicit will to the full — even to the point of death on a Roman cross!
His gentle spirit is available to all who follow Him. Through the Holy Spirit we, too, can please our Father in Heaven as we gently serve others.
Now let’s move to self-control — probably the last attribute mentioned for good reason. I certainly struggle with this final quality at times.
Perhaps you, too, can relate to my challenge to control emotions. Some of us wear our emotions on our sleeve while others keep their emotions bottled up inside. Neither is good.
What we must do is come to an understanding that it’s quite natural to emote over things.
Briefly, let me conclude that for many the answer may well lie in a supernatural event. That event may happen over a substantial amount of time and energy.
Asking the Holy Spirit to guard our hearts and minds from the demonic forces that tempt us in diverse ways may be the only solution to the bondage of our emotional reactions.
We will conclude our discussion next time on the Fruit of the Spirit in our final segment. It’s all about the Holy Spirit!