But the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness.Faithfulness: “to be faithful and trustworthy; to be loyal and steadfast in devotion and allegiance. It means to be constant, staunch, and enduring.” And I would add to this definition three little words: “NO MATTER WHAT.” Faithfulness in relationships requires work. We can’t expect big results without faithfulness. We can’t expect great relational success and ease when we haven’t invested in the mundane, routine, ordinary, non-glamourous parts of being in relationship with each other.But the Fruit of the Spirit is gentleness.
Gentleness is an approach and an attitude. It is a commitment to treat people with consideration. People who let the Holy Spirit rule in their lives realize people are precious. Precious things should be protected and treated as valuable. There should be an effort to keep precious things safe.
“But the Fruit of the Spirit is self-control.”
I Peter 5:8 warns us: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” One of the major ways we defeat the devil is to exercise the Fruit of Self-Control.
Satan wants us to see self-control and self-denial as bad. Self-control is a good thing. It is a God-thing. God wants us to make choices that lead to life and godliness because He wants us to live content and have great relationships and joy and peace. Satan wants to tempt us to live in the moment just for the moment and to seek pleasure which will lead us to addictive behaviors which will eventually control us. Satan is powerless when we exercise the Fruit of Self-control. Temptation has no power over us when we exercise the Fruit of Self-control. Why? Because self-control is the power of God in us to enable our success. Satan can’t trump God’s power, ever.
The nine-fold Fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It’s no wonder these are the things the Holy Spirit seeks to produce in our lives because these are the qualities and characteristics, these are the attitudes and behaviors that will transform us and transform our relationships to bring contentment to ourselves and those around us. It is through these attitudes and behaviors that Heaven comes to earth. Will you let God grow them in you?
Make it a great week!
Pastor Melissa
