\”But the fruiy of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self control, against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its Passion and desires.\”(Galatians 5:22-24) This is the continuation of the fruit of the spirit as l tried to enlightened my readers on my last write up. Today I will try to discuss on some other fruit as a follow up to the very first topic on the fruit of the spirit. Today by God\’s grace and by His prompting we shall be looking at some of the fruit of the spirit for self edification and for instance, \”Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires but those who lives in accordance with the spirit have their mind set on what the spirit desires. The mind of a sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace, the sinful mind is hostile to God , it does not submit to God\’s law…\”(Romsns8:3-8)
What is it that controls your mind, are you a peace loving personality or are you a man known for restlessness always antagonistic \’No Peace of mind\’? It matters most what inhibits or controls your mind. Joy and peace are intertwined that\’s why Joy is an expression of the mind which cannot be faked or manipulated and that equally shows in the state of the mind. If a man is not at peace with himself, he becomes very hostile to everything around him and he is resentful. That\’s why the word of God says \”The mind that is controlled by sinful nature cannot please God\”. When a man\’s way is pleasing before God, He makes even his enemy to be at peace with him.(Proverb 16:7)
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].(James 3:16-18). To reap the fruit which peace brings you most be a peace maker and a peace lover and you ought to exhibit quietness of spirit which will happen to you if you have patient spirit.
Patience is very key in life if you must endure hardship or you most wait on the Lord.\” But let Patience have a perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing , if any lack wisdom let him ask of God who gives generously to all without fault….. (James 1:3-4).
So wait patiently, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits [expectantly] for the precious harvest from the land, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near.(James 5:7-8). By so doing you will find favour before God and man as being quoted in the book of proverbs 3:3-4. \”Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you bind them around your neck write them on the tablet of your heart so that your mind will find favour and good success in the sight of God and man.
Faithfulness is a virtue and one of the fruit of the spirit. Faithfulness affects every aspect of relationship we can keep and guides the workings of the relationship, To be faithful means you can be trusted and you\’re reliable to be entrusted with responsibility. A faithful man will with blessings but whoever hasten to be rich will not be innocent, and \”One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another\’s, who will give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:10-12)
The Lord answered, “Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant? He is the one that his master will put in charge, to run the household and give the other servants their share of the food at the proper time. How happy that servant is if his master finds him doing this when he comes home! Indeed, I tell you, the master will put that servant in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself that his master is taking a long time to come back and if he begins to beat the other servants, both the men and the women, and eats and drinks and gets drunk, then the master will come back one day when the servant does not expect him and at a time he does not know. The master will cut him in pieces and make him share the fate of the disobedient. ( Luke 12:42-46).
Faithfulness helps a man to maintain a good standing in life. How do you handle life\’s affairs including the things of the Lord is dependant on your Faithfulness not being men pleasers dwelling in eye services which does not yeild good fruit.
I\’m sure your spirit will be enriched as you read, please do not be discourage to comment on this piece if in any way it has impacted on you to encourage me since we are disciples of His word, spreading the good news according to His word. Cheers And Be Blessed. Blessing.