In Galatians Chapter 5 we read about the fruit of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Spirit. We read about taking stock in our life and our walks and finding out where we are aligned and how we know by what fruit our lives are bearing. This is a very tough chapter, because if we are truly honest with ourselves then we all have to admit that we are all very sinful and that all of us (not most of us) sin every day. Whether in anger, embitterment, lust, or fill in your blank - we struggle. That is why Scripture tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.So after each of us read Galatians Chapter 5, take a piece of paper out and draw a line down the middle of the page. On one side write the title Fruit of the Sinful Nature and on the right side write down Fruit of the Spirit. Next, please scroll down each highlighted section of each kind of fruit and check which one you are more aligned with. If you are truly honest and want to be lead by the Spirit then you have to be brutally honest. Once you are done, then tally up which fruit that your life is bearing more of. If the Sinful nature - repent and read Romans 12 and Colosisans 3 and get accountability in your life. If, however, you are more aligned with the Fruit of the Spirit- Praise God and pour into other peoples lives - be the disciple that God calls us to be.
Here are the two categories for your paper:
Fruit of the Sinful Nature:
- Sexual Immorality– that is sexually activity or intercourse outside the marriage union. The word pornography comes from the root porneia; thus, sexual immorality comprehensively may include taking pleasure in pornographic pictures, films or writings – Ex. 20:14; Mt. 5:31-32; 19:9; Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25; 1 Cor. 5:1.
- Impurity – this is sexual sins, evil deeds and vices, including thoughts and desires of the hearts – Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5.
- Debauchery – that is sexuality; following one’s passions and desires to be point of having no shame or public decency – 2 Cor. 12:21.
- Idolatry – this is worship of spirits, persons or graven images; trust in any person, institution or thing as having equal or greater authority than God and His Word – Col. 3:5.
- Witchcraft – sorcery, spiritism, black magic, worship of demons and use of drugs to produce “spiritual” experiences – Ex. 7:11, 22, 8:18; Rev. 9:21; 18:23.
- Hatred – intense, hostile intentions and acts; extreme dislike or enmity;
- Discord – quarreling, antagonism; a struggle for superiority – Rom. 1:29; 1 Cor. 1:11; 3:3.
- Jealousy – resentfulness, envy of another’s success – Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 3:3.
- Fits of Rage – explosive anger that flames into violent words or deeds – Col. 3:8
- Self-Ambition– that is seeking power or position – 2 Cor. 12:20; Phil. 1:16-17.
- Dissensions – introducing decisive teachings not supported by God’s Word – Rom. 16:17.
- Factions – division within the congregation into exclusive groups or cliques that destroy the unity of the church – 1 Cor. 11:19.
- Envy– resentful dislike of another person who has something that one desires.
- Drunkenness – impairing one’s mental of physical control by alcoholic drink.
- Orgies – excessive feasting and revelry; a party spirit involving alcohol, drugs, sex, and the like (having multiple partners, either physically or mentally – both lust and physical)
Here is the Fruit of the Spirit:
- Love (NIV) –[agape] - Means “Affection and benevolence – Paul’s three elements of agape love are esteem, devotion and mutuality. Love can’t be commanded. The identical harvest by which plants, animal, and spiritual being reproduces “after its kind”, Love Produces Love.
- Joy (NIV) – Inseparable from love and impossible without it. “The joy that was the fruit of the Spirit sprang from a life that was gracious and kind, full of good will, gracious to impart itself to others, glad when they accepted and rejoiced with it, but forgiving, and still singing, when man rejected and persecuted it. To rejoice amid the worse circumstances. (Phil 4:11)
- Peace (NIV) – Greek (“harmony”), Hebrew (“shalom”) . The Hebrew word expresses “total well-being,” “soundness,” “prosperity,” “success” that renders a person “well off” spiritually and materially, and made life good and the world safe for goodness (The Interpreters’ Bible, vol. 10, page 567). See Phil 4:7 – Not exempt from storms or shipwreck but by faith knowing you will arrive in port. (Acts 27:21-25).
- Patience (NIV), long-suffering (KJV), patience (RSV) – This is a condition for the fruit of the Spirit to be produced. (2 Cor. 6:3-10) Suffering without retaliation, imitating the kindness of God.
- Kindness (NIV), gentleness (KJV), kindness (RSV) – I Cor. 13: “Love is patient and kind” Applied to persons signifies “goodness,” ”honesty,” ”kindness,” “excellence of character.” God was rich in kindness, while which he manifested throughout the ages by leading sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4) and Christ kindness of removing the yoke of sin and the law (Matt. 11:29-30).
- Goodness (NIV) – The Hebrew word translates to “Goodness,” “righteousness’” prosperity’” and “kindness.” (Romans 15:14) The Christian must not only be good, but be good for something: to let his light shine, to be worthy of his call and his calling, to teach men the knowledge of God, and to bring the ideals of the Spirit into fruition in everyday life. The Interpreter’s Bible, 1953, Vol. 10, Vol. 10, page 568.)
- Faithfulness (NIV) , faith (KJV), faithfulness (RSV) – See Gal 3:11 (Hab. 2:4)(You can’t have one without the other – believing and doing) Believing without doing God’s will is as impossible as fruit bearing when branches are separated from the vine. The Interpreter’s Bible, 1935, Vol. 10,Vol. 10, page 569.)
- Gentleness (NIV), meekness (KJV), gentleness (RSV) – “Modesty,” “gentleness,” and “courtesy are flavors of the fruit. Christians must estimate himself soberly, count others better than himself and treat them graciously as Christ has treated him (Rom. 12:3; Col. 3:13)
- Self-Control (NIV), temperance (KJV), self-control (RSV) – Guarding for temperance and self-control. Guarding against drunkenness, reveling, all flesh-works, not giving free rein to one’s impulses and desires, lawful or not lawful. Everything to Paul is subject to three teat: Is it constructive? Is it helpful? Is it to the Glory of God (Cor. 10:23, 31)
Now that you have surveyed your fruit - here is the time to be honest.
What did you come up with? Where do you have to go? What do you want God to do for you (ask him).
Thoughts?
Dante
Please note that I borrowed the Fruit from these two places from www.google.com: Fruit of the Sinful Nature and Fruit of the Spirit.