SELF CONTROL

“His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness through our knowledge of him
who called us by his own glory and goodness. 
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate in the divine nature
and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 
and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure,
they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive
 in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:3-8

The last among the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23, “self-control” is the Greek word enkrateia which means possessing power over and having mastery of one's desires and impulses – a discipline which gives us victory through our trusting relationship with Jesus Christ.  As both an offensive and defensive attribute, self-control is inseparably bound to our Christian belief and is only possible if our lives are controlled by the guiding hand of God’s Holy Spirit for God’s purpose.

There are three powerful pulls that must be controlled according to I John 2:16 - "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" in these three areas of our lives:

            MIND – Our thoughts are powerful and require self-control to be focused and not allow distractions to interfere with our responsibility to live according to God’s will.

            MOUTH – Our mouths need to be controlled in both how to speak and how not to speak and our words need to be edifying to others.

            MOTIVATION – Our actions must reflect our commitment to obedience, submission and sinless living rather than sinful excesses if not controlled.

Additional verses for this week: Proverbs 16:32

Proverbs 10:17
Proverbs 25:28
Hebrews 12:5-11
2 Timothy 1:7
2 Peter 1:5-8

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Joyce

GENTLENESS

"Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:5

What do you think of when you hear the word  “gentleness” – timid, weak, mild, wimpish?  The use of “gentleness” in the “Fruit of the Spirit,” also translated as “meekness,” is quite different from these thesaurus synonyms – more like an older meaning in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.”

It reveals how a Christian should be in himself with overtones of his spiritual and moral reliability. Someone who is submissive, yielding and long-suffering – a person who sets his mind on God’s purpose and not his own comfort, ambition or reputation exhibits the gentleness of Christ.

Gentleness is both an internal attitude of mind and heart and an external behavior in conduct and correction. It is not without power, but includes true humility and restraint coupled with strength and courage. It is never a cowardly retreat from reality or refusal to use God given talents and abilities for His glory.

Additional verses for this week:
Matthew 5:5
Colossians 3:12-14
Ephesians 4:2-6
I Timothy 6:11-12
Titus 3:1-2
I Peter 3:3-4

                                        Joyce

FAITHFULNESS

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3

Faithfulness, the seventh attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit” comes from the Greek pistis and is marked by showing a strong sense of duty or responsibility that requires complete trust in God. It implies a loyalty or devotion to one’s purpose as not to be turned aside by any cause but pursued with personal resolve. So what are some marks of faithfulness in a Christian’s life:

Character

• Integrity
• Devotion to others and to Christ 
• Keeping our promises

Obedience

• Imitating Christ as our model 
• Committing our lives to doing God’s will
• Trusting God

Service

• Seeking good for others and glory for God
• Using our God-given gifts, abilities and opportunities
• Fulfilling our general and specific God-given responsibilities

When we rely on God’s strength, pray for help, put aside our own selfish desires and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives then our faithfulness will produce blessings to others, peace and personal satisfaction plus we will be entrusted with greater responsibilities.

Additional verses for this week:
Psalm 31:23-24

Matthew 23:23

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Colossians 2:2-5

James 1:2-4 Revelation 2:10

                                     Joyce

GOODNESS

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,
righteousness and truth)
and find out what pleases the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:8-10

Goodness has implications of some degree of excellence - the inner qualities of virtue, excellence of character, morality and attitude. This sixth attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit” is inseparable from godliness and can only flow out of a life right with God and yielded to Him. It can refer to the act or the motivation behind the act. It can at the same time be kind and strong, but always under every circumstance, beneficial and for the well-being of the recipient. It does not spare sharpness and rebuke to produce good in others. Goodness involves going beyond the mere requirements to give what is needed and what will benefit, build up, and bless others.

Ephesians gives specific ways goodness is to be expressed:

• speaking truthfully· doing something “useful" 
• build up one another with our conversation 
• be kind, compassionate, forgiving, imitators of God 
• living lives of love
• seek to please the Lord
• be filled with the Spirit
• blessing others
• submitting to one another
• gently and humbly minister to others who are stumbling
• carry each other’s burdens
• care enough to get involved with one another

Additional verses for this week:

Luke 6:26-27
Romans 2:7-10
Galatians 6:9-10
1 Peter 3:8-11
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

                                     Joyce

KINDNESS

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 
just as God in Christ forgave you“
Ephesians 4:32

True kindness (Greek: chrestotes) is the fifth attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit.”  It is a gift from God, produced in us through the Holy Spirit, and only happens when there is action, not just thought – it is love expressing itself in deeds.  Jesus’ life epitomized kindness by His sense of compassion and His tender actions. Also part of kindness is being considerate, helpful and benevolent – self-sacrificing on behalf of others no matter what. A heartfelt kindness requires time, money and a personal involvement. Kindness meets needs. Kindness brings joy.  Kindness lets others know someone cares for them. Kindness is treating others as God has treated you.

We were created in God's image, so we have the same ability to extend kindness to others.  When we show undeserved kindness we are imitating God's character.

Consider doing some of the following Random Acts of Kindness this week:

• Visit someone in the hospital
• Send a card to let someone know you care
• Bake some cookies for a neighbor
• Call someone you've lost touch with
• Share the things God has blessed you with
• Strike up a conversation with someone you wouldn't normally talk to

Additional verses for this week:
Romans 11:17-22
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Colossians 3:12-14
Ephesians 4:30-32
2 Timothy 2:24

2 Peter 1:3-8

                                                        Joyce

PATIENCE

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

Patience is the fourth attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit.”  From two Greek words: makrothumia and hupomone, it is both submission to providential appointments
of the Lord and the willingness to endure under difficult circumstances with good
temper while maintaining faith in Jesus Christ. It is a character trait of being
steadfast and produces experience and hope in the believer.

As we grow in the Lord, we exercise patience in running the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1), bringing forth fruit (Luke 8:15), well-doing (Galatians 6:9), waiting for God (Psalm 40:1), waiting for Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5), waiting for the hope of righteousness (Galatians 5:5), waiting for salvation (Lamentations 3:26), and in tribulation (Romans 12:12).

Additional verses for this week:
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Colossians 1:9-12
2 Timothy 4:2
I Corinthians 13
James 5:7-8
2 Peter 3:8-9

                                                                                   Joyce

PEACE

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”
John 14:27

What is Peace??

The common definition includes such thoughts as a harmony in personal relationships, without conflict, the absence of hostility, safety, security, tranquility and freedom from civil disorder. In many countries it is also a greeting or farewell.

God’s peace, the third attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit,” is a little different – it is a perfect peace. From the Greek eirēnē, it has the additional meaning of the internal tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ and so fearing nothing from God plus having contentment with our earthly lot. As part of our inheritance and the result of submission to the will of God, we have a peace of mind which does not depend on the conditions around us, but the indwelling Spirit in our heart. Our whole attitude is safe, secure and free from fear. It is God’s gift that flows into us, then through us into all the world.

Shalom

Additional verses for this week:

Psalm 34:8-14

Proverbs 3:13-17

Ephesians 2:13-17

Philippians 4:6-7

I Thessalonians 5:12-18

Hebrews 12:14

                                                                                          Joyce

JOY

"These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you
and that your joy may be full."
John 15:11

The second attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit” is joy (Greek: chara).  Joy is deeper than happiness, it is a supernatural gladness that is completely independent of what happens to us in the course of a day.  It is rooted in and comes from God.

Jesus revealed the requirements for experiencing spiritual joy in John 15 – a joy that is not dependent on well-being, success, good fortune or circumstances as the world defines it, but on fellowship with its endless source – Jesus Christ.

In John 15: 4-5 we see that it is necessary to maintain a close relationship with Him because without Him we can do nothing. In verse 8 we are to grow more fruitful in every good word and work in order to glorify our Father. Finally, in verse 10 we are to obey our Father’s commands, following Christ’s example. All three in order to mature and complete our joy – the happy state that results from knowing and serving God.

Additional verses for this week:

Nehemiah 8:9-10

John 16:20-24

Acts 2:25-28

Romans 14:17-19

James 1:2-4

I Peter 1:3-9

                                                                                            Joyce 

LOVE

“Love is patient, love is kind. 
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self seeking, 
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
I Corinthians 13:4-8

The first attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit” is love.  The love we experience in

the world does not sound like these verses. Did you know there are different types

of love? The Bible uses these three words which are all translated love: agape which

is divine unconditional love, eros which is passionate love and philia or phileo which

is friendship or brotherly love.

Agape love is not conditional and manipulative. It is benevolent and committed to

doing what is in the best interest of another, no matter their behavior.  God loves us

just the way we are and because of His love for us, he sent His son, Jesus Christ, to us

to show us His love and provide a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him.

The love God has for the world doesn’t refer to feelings, but to an intentional attitude

of devotion.  Celebrate love by spending some special time alone with the Lord,

developing your personal relationship with Him, asking Him to continue to work in

your life and to fill you with His agape love for others.

Additional verses for this week:
John 15:13
Romans 13:10
Ephesians 4:2
Hebrews 13:1-2
I John 3:16-18
I John 4:10

                                                                                  Joyce

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

“But the fruit 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 flesh with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:22-25

The “Fruit of the Spirit” in contrast to the works of the flesh includes nine visible attributes and personality qualities of a true Christian life.  The original Greek term translated “fruit” is singular, rather than individual “fruits” from which we can pick and choose.  

Each is characteristic of the active presence of the Holy Spirit leading in our lives and producing the fruit in us to live an abundant life in Christ.   The Father allows us to share in His divine nature as part of our sanctification process.   All are very powerful to help transform us plus all are useful to touch those around us.

Additional verses for this week:
Colossians 1:9-12 Ephesians 3:16-19 Romans 15:13
Ephesians 4:2
2 Peter 1:3-8 Ephesians 5:8-10

                                                                                  Joyce