Galatians 5:19-23 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.I delivered a message to our church family at our midweek service last week from this passage. I don't know how often it happens to other preachers, but it seems like after I preach messages, many times I am tested and have the opportunity to put the principles into practice very soon.
So, the theme to the message was life in the Spirit. When we come to faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells and seals us for the day of redemption. As we live the Spirit-filled life, the fruit of the Spirit is operative in our lives. The Apostle Paul gives nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.
Just a couple of days after I delivered the message, I was tested, significantly. I had an encounter with an individual who said some very unkind, and untrue things to me and about me. I will be honest before God with you at what my reaction would have been at other times in my life. In the past, I would likely have explained it to this person in a very clear and understandable, and not very nice way. "Fight fire with fire" used to be my motto.
Instead of that happening, a very strong sense of peace came over me immediately in the situation. At that moment, I was not even inclined to retaliate. I didn't even argue. I stated my point and let it go at that. I heard no audible voice from the Holy Spirit, but it was as though the Holy Spirit of God impressed on me, this is what my Word is teaching, this is the fruit of the Spirit operative in your life.
I don't share this to build myself up. I share this to tell you that life in the Spirit is what God expects for you. It is possible. Live it!
