The Fruits of the Spirit

" But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galations 5:22-23

On Sunday, we talked about the fruits of the spirit.  The pastor did a great job comparing the fruits versus the empty substitutes from the devil.  Here's what it looked like:

God	Satan
Love	Lust
Joy	Revelry
Peace	Control
Patience	Resignation
Kindness	Tolerance
Goodness	Perfection
Faithfulness	Self-reliance
Gentleness	Aggression
Self Control	Rebellion

The devil's schemes are always conditional.  An example would be the substitute for joy that is revelry.  "I have to go party on Friday night to be happy.  If I'm not partying, I'm not happy."  A true, unabounding joy is the feeling you get when you don't need anything at all.  For the past few months, everytime I think about my friends, family and just my life in general, I start to tear up, my chest starts pounding in my chest and I think that's the true feeling of Joy.  Another key comparision was the difference between kindness and tolerance.  What tolerance really means is that "I don't truly care for you."  When really, we care so deeply, that we don't know what to do or say.  The fruit of kindness must be used when dealing with issues of "tolerance." 

To fully receive these fruits, we must align ourselves with Christ and take ourselves away from worldly living.  I hear all too often that it is just so hard to live a Christian life in this world.  I kinda agree, but kinda don't.  Here's why:  You can choose what you are involved with and what you aren't.  Get rid of the cable and trash magazines. Get rid of the images of unachievable perfection that fills fashion magazies and advertisements.  Watch what you listen to on the radio.  Fill your ears with praise to Jesus, not with most of the slanderous music that is on popular radio stations.  Choose your friends wisely and read the Bible daily to fully get your mind centered around Him. 

Sometimes, it's the hard thing to do, but you will reap so many rewards for doing it.  Sometimes you won't be the most popular person in your circle.  Sometimes it will take months to make good friends.  Sometimes people will mis-interpret your motives.  But the reward for doing it is so much more than resignation.  It is a true, unabounding JOY! 

"But my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."  2 Corinthians 12:9