Self-Control

The last part of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. On the one hand, we need self control. On the other hand we need to deny ourselves and surrender to Christ. How do we do both? I think the more we surrender to Christ, the better we can have self-control. As we follow Him, not only are we declared righteous by what He did for us, not by our own doing, but our lives and desires will be changed and we will want to do what is righteous and overcome temptation through the Holy Spirit. That to me is what self-control is about.

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A Gentle Spirit

Do you have the Fruit of the Spirit? Are you gentle? Looking at the Greek words for this, it also includes meekness and humility. This is not a weakness as some believe, but a strength. It’s easy to seek your own desires, but God wants us to put others’ needs before our own. How often do we do that?

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The Good Fruit

As we look through the fruit of the Spirit I hope that you are being blessed and learn from this study. I know I have learned a lot and I am hoping that it will strengthen my faith and change my life. I hope that for you as well. Today we are discussing goodness. Let us do good and give God the glory.

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A Kind Fruit

As we continue with the Fruit of the Spirit, we will talk about kindness. Kindness can have such an impact in people’s lives. Even a smile can brighten a person’s day. I think along with that is generosity which is a form of kindness. Helping others in need. Giving a kind word. Standing up for those who are not strong enough to stand up for themselves. This can go a long way in changing a person’s outlook on life and changing an attitude, both for the giver and the receiver.

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Patience and Longsuffering

Patience is such a hard one. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit, and I don’t know about you, but it is probably the one that I struggle with the most. We have heard, “patience is a virtue.” How true. And, “Lord give me patience and give it to me now!” Of course that is jokingly, but we don’t like to go through the trials and challenges that will lead to patient. We are (or at least I am) impatient people. We’ve heard that we live in a microwave society. We are just too uptight. We don’t like to wait. I imagine maybe this is less so in other countries? Anyways, then there is longsuffering. What is the difference? They seem to be interchangeable.

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