Information Related to "The Fruit of the Spirit - God's Spirit: The Power to Transform Your Life"
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Jesus Christ is cultivating supernatural "fruit" in the lives of His disciples. To understand that miraculous effect, we must first understand the awesome cause and ultimate source--the Spirit of God.
People want power! Car power and computer power. Political, economic and military power. Physical and mental powers. And spiritual power.
Tragically, however, most people search for help in the wrong places. Some believe they have an inner psychic power they can uncover and unleash. Others are convinced there is a mysterious "universal energy" they can align with or tap into. Some even turn to outright spiritism.
Many people put their hopes in one of the countless false religions, either non-Christian or counterfeit Christian. They may choose an ancient "ism" or some New Age philosophy. A cafeteria approach is also common, where a person picks ideas from several religions to create a combination
he likes.
What mankind most needs is spiritual power from our Creator God-the force He offers that can govern our lives, solve our problems and lead us to real peace. It is the fuel of spiritual transformation. And most importantly, for those who receive that Spirit, "If he plants in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life" (Galatians 6:8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting., Today's English Version).
It's exciting to understand the reality of the Holy Spirit and how God uses it! But what exactly is it?
First of all, it is not something we are born with. It can only be received as a divine gift from God after one believes the truth of the Bible, repents of his sins and is baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38-44 [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
[44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
).
Secondly, contrary to popular tradition, the Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit is not a third person in a Trinity. (In fact, the word "trinity" is never mentioned in the Bible. It is hardly mentioned in historical records until about three centuries after the writing of the Bible was finished!)
In reality, the Bible shows that the Holy Spirit is the nature and essence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. In fact, "God is Spirit" and the source of the Holy Spirit (John 4:24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth., emphasis added throughout). "The Spirit," "the Spirit of God" and "the Spirit of Christ" are used synonymously in Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his..
In the Bible, God's Spirit is compared with water (that one is "baptized with"), rivers (that "flow"), oil (that is "poured out"), a cloud (that "filled" the temple) and fire (that one can "quench" or "stir up" to rekindle). These comparisons would not make sense were the Holy Spirit a person.
God's Spirit emanates from Him and radiates everywhere, which explains the omnipresence of God-how God can, in effect, be present everywhere at all times. As David wrote: "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?" (Psalm 139:7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?).
God's "broadcasting" by His Spirit has been easier to understand since the invention of radio and television. We can enjoy sights and sounds in our own homes as much as if we were in the faraway TV studio. We can get perfect "reception" from God no matter where we are.
God uses His Spirit as His "remote control." When "God created the heavens and the earth," He used the power of "the Spirit of God" (Genesis 1:1-2 [1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
). After praising God's creation, the psalmist wrote, "You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth" (Psalm 104:30Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.).
Ever since creation, God has used His Spirit to sustain and maintain the universe-everything from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. All creation functions perfectly according to the laws of nature-which God put in force and keeps in force.
God not only disseminates knowledge by His Spirit, but His Spirit brings Him awareness of all things. "You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off . . . For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether" (Psalm 139:2-4 [2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
[3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
[4] For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
). Thus, by His Spirit God is omniscient, which means He has total knowledge!
And God is omnipotent -having universal and unlimited power! He is El Shaddai -God Almighty. Therefore, "with God, all things are possible" (Mark 10:27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.), whether it is parting the Red Sea, changing water to wine, healing the sick or resurrecting the dead. With every miracle, God is using the infinite power of His Spirit.
Perhaps the most far-reaching miracle was the incarnation of God when the Father sent His Spirit to impregnate a young virgin named Mary (Matthew 1:18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost., 20). That was Jesus Christ's first coming. The next great highlight in His story will be His second coming!
That brings us to the world's greatest challenge-the transformation of human nature! This spiritual conversion is taking place in the people God has called and who are submitting and committing their lives to Him.
Compared to instantaneous miracles, it is a slow process because God has given human beings free will-freedom of choice. Like a master potter with his clay, God patiently forms His nature in us as we yield to Him.
The big challenge is the rebellious nature of man! Jesus Christ cited the evils that come "out of the heart of men" (Mark 7:20-23 [20] And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
[21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
[22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
[23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
). Paul related the corruption in people's character when they turn their backs on God (Romans 1:24-32 [24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
[29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
[30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
[32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
). Later he explained how humanity's evils "will grow worse and worse" in the end time (2 Timothy 3:1-7 [1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
[6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
[7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
, 13).
Paul also called the ugly traits of human nature "the works of the flesh." He concluded his list by saying "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21 [19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
).
Like noxious weeds in a vineyard, sins must be eradicated. "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:, New International Version). God's Spirit is the power that liberates us from being "slaves of sin" (Romans 6:16-18 [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
[17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
[18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
).
God pinpointed the problem of all mankind when He said, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments" (Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!). Everyone has spiritual heart trouble, and everyone needs a spiritual heart transplant!
Through His prophet Ezekiel, God said: "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" (Ezekiel 18:30-31 [30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
[31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
).
A later prophecy for all mankind states, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh"-a heart that is soft, pliable and receptive (Ezekiel 36:26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.).
The indwelling of God's Spirit is the very thing that defines a true Christian, a son of God. You are "in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you" (Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.). And "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God" (8:14).
It is by following the lead of God's Spirit and relying on its power that one's life can be spiritually transformed!
And it is the Holy Spirit that empowers the Church to carry out Christ's work here on earth in preparing the way for His return (Luke 24:46-49 [46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
[47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
[48] And ye are witnesses of these things.
[49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
; Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.).
If you missed it, we recommend you read the previous article in this series-"Jesus Christ's Command to Us: Bear Good Fruit and Much Fruit." It explains and amplifies what Christ said in John 15:1-16 [1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
[2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
[4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
[6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
[7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
[8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
[12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
[13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
[14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
[16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
.
Just as a fruit grower demands more than pretty leaves, God will not be pleased if we are merely religious and nice. He wants productive servants who are growing spiritually and at the same time serving God and their fellow man with every opportunity.
Keep in mind that we human beings "can do nothing" that is spiritually good on our own (John 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.). That's why we need God's Spirit to guide and enable us!
Each of us was created to be "the temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?; 2 Corinthians 6:16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.). That is why Paul could say, "Christ lives in me" and "we have the mind of Christ" (Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.; 1 Corinthians 2:16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.). And when Christ lives in you, He changes you. His work is a complete remodeling job, to make your character a replica of His own.
Another analogy is that God's Spirit carries the code of God's "DNA," as it were. When you receive an infusion of His Spirit, it brings with it the righteous spiritual attributes that enable and empower you to develop the fruit of God's character.
God's Spirit is necessary to comprehend the spiritual truths of the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:7-16 [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
[8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
). Knowledge of God's Word is essential to spiritual growth. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are synergistic-each is much more effectual because of the other. In a sense, the Bible guides us from without while the Holy Spirit guides from within.
God literally in-spires our understanding when He puts His Spirit in us. Without God's Spirit, people can understand only pieces of spiritual truth, like seeing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle but not being able to visualize the overall picture.
In addition, God's Spirit imparts desire, motivation, willpower, zeal and strength to put that spiritual understanding into practice. God promised, "I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts" (Hebrews 8:10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:). When that new nature is internalized, they, like the author of Psalm 119, begin to love God's laws (verse 97).
Indeed, God's Spirit profoundly changes people! Paul wrote that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
). In this series of articles, we will thoroughly examine each of these aspects to understand them and learn how to practice them in our daily lives.
Note here that although "fruit" is singular, God has many characteristics that all harmonize to form His holy character. John summarized God's character with one word: "God is love" (1 John 4:8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.). But just as we can distinguish the individual colors of the rainbow when white light passes through a prism, it is profitable for us to examine each attribute of God's character.
After a believer has been baptized, he receives the gift of God's Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.). New disciples of Jesus Christ begin as spiritual children, but God expects them to rapidly grow up to become mature Christians (Ephesians 4:11-16 [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
). To do that, we all need to keep spiritually fed with the daily nourishment of prayer, reading the Bible and meditating on it, and striving to live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.).
After someone has received the gift of God's Spirit, why does he not produce abundant fruit immediately? Think of a healthy fruit tree in early spring. The tree is receiving plenty of sunshine and water, and the sap is flowing. And there may already be the tiny emergence of fruit. But the fruit is not desirable until it has grown to full size and ripened to sweet maturity.
Likewise, a new disciple of Jesus Christ has immense potential, but he starts out with fruit that is small and "green" or immature. If we are ever to bear ripe luscious fruit, we must assist the Owner of the orchard with our own horticulture-our own fruit cultivation-day after day for the rest of our lives.
James put it very well in James 5:7-8 [7] Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
[8] Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
: "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." GN
Related Information:
Table of Contents that includes "The Fruit of the Spirit - God's Spirit: The Power to Transform Your Life"
Other Articles by Don Hooser
Origin of article "The Fruit of the Spirit - God's Spirit: The Power to Transform Your Life"
Keywords: fruits of the spirit patience perseverance spirit of power
Holy spirit - power: