About the Holy Spirit

In this episode Brother Jonathan talks about the Holy Spirit, his attributes, some parts of His ministry, gifts, and fruits.

 

Remnant Bible Fellowship

S3EP5

About the Holy Spirit

 

“The doctrine of the Holy Spirit, judged by the place it occupies in the Scriptures, stands in the foremost rank of redemption truths. With the exception of 2 and 3 John, every book in the New Testament contains a reference to the Spirit’s work; every Gospel begins with a promise of His outpouring.

Yet it is admittedly the ‘neglected doctrine.’ Formalism and fear of fanaticism have produced a reaction against emphasis on the Spirit’s work in personal experience.

Naturally this has resulted in spiritual deadness, for there can be no vital Christianity apart from the Spirit. Only He can make actual what Christ’s work has made possible.” – Myer Pearlman

 

1. Attributes
   1. Many people either think or teach that the Holy Spirit is nothing more than a mystical impersonal “force” that is just present in the universe. This is contrary to the Bible though. These are some of the attributes of the Holy Spirit described in the Bible. The Holy Spirit:
   2. Helps (John 14:16, 26; Romans 8:26)
   3. Glorifies (John 16:13-14)
   4. Can be known (John 14:17)
   5. Gives abilities (Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
   6. Referred to as “He” (John 15:26; 16:7, 8, 13)
   7. Loves (Romans 15:30)
   8. Guides (John 16:13)
   9. Comforts (John 14:26; Acts 9:31)
   10. Teaches (Luke 12:12; John 14:26)
   11. Reminds (John 14:26)
   12. Bears Witness (John 15:26; Acts 5:32; Romans 8:16)
   13. Hears (John 16:13)
   14. Leads (Mathew 4:1; Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14)
   15. Pleads (Romans 8:26-27)
   16. Longs [yearns] (James 4:5)
   17. Wills (1 Corinthians 12:11)
   18. Thinks (Acts 15:28)
   19. Sends (Mark 1:12; Acts 10:20; 13:4)
   20. Speaks (John 16:13; 10:19)
   21. Forbids (Acts 16:6-7)
   22. Appoints (Acts 20:28)
   23. Reveals (Luke 2:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10)
   24. Calls to ministry (Acts 13:2)
   25. Can be grieved (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30)
   26. Can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29)
   27. Can be lied to (Acts 5:3-4)
   28. Can be blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32)
   29. Strives (Genesis 6:3)
   30. Is knowledgeable (Isaiah 40:13; Acts 10:19; 1Corinthians 2:10-13)
   31. Judges (John 16:8)
   32. Prophesies (Acts 21:11; 28:25; 1Timothy 4:1)
   33. Has fellowship (2 Corinthians 13:14)
   34. Gives grace (Hebrews 10:29)
   35. Offers life (2 Corinthians 3:6; Revelation 22:17)
   36. Is the Creator (Job 33:4)
2. He has the attributes of God
   1. Eternal
      1. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb 9:14)
   2. Omnipresent
      1. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psa 139:7-10)
   3. Omnipotent
      1. “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
   4. Omniscient
      1. “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1Cor. 2:10-11)

• He is listed as equal with the Father and the Son
  1. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” (1Cor. 12:4-6)
  2. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen…” (2Cor. 13:14)
  3. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Mat 28:19)

1. The Names of the Spirit
   1. The Spirit of God
      1. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Cor. 3:16)
      2. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14)
   2. The Spirit of Christ
      1. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom 8:9)
         1. Notice in this verse that the phrase “Spirit of God” and “Spirit of Christ” are used interchangeably.
      2. “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” (1Pe 1:10-11)
   3. The Comforter
      1. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)
   4. The Holy Spirit
      1. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luk 11:13)
   5. The Holy Spirit of Promise
      1. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph 1:13)
   6. The Spirit of Truth
      1. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (Joh 16:13)
   7. The Spirit of Grace
      1. “He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb 10:28-29)
   8. The Spirit of Life
      1. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:2)
   9. The Spirit of Adoption
      1. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Rom 8:15)
   10. The Spirit in Christ’s Ministry
       1. His Birth
          1. “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luk 1:34-35)
       2. His Baptism
          1. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mat 3:13-17)
       3. His Ministry
          1. “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.” (Luk 4:14-15)
       4. His Crucifixion
          1. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb 9:14)
       5. His Resurrection
          1. “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” (Rom 1:4)
          2. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Rom 8:11)
       6. His Ascension
          1. “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” (Joh 1:33)
          2. “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” (Act 2:33)
       7. The Holy Spirit in Human Experience
          1. Conviction
             1. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (Joh 16:7-11)
                1. The word “reprove” is the Greek word "elegcho", which means “to bring a person to the point of recognizing wrongdoing; convict, convince.” (BDAG)
             2. Regeneration
                1. The word “regeneration” comes from the Greek word "paliggenesia". It means “experience of a complete change of life; rebirth of a redeemed person.”
                2. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (Joh 3:5-6)

• “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Tit 3:4-5)

1. Indwelling
   1. “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:15-18)
   2. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Act 1:8)

• There are three prepositions that describe the relationship of the Holy Spirit to believers: para (with), en (in), epi (upon).

1. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1Co 6:19-20)

1. Sanctification
   1. The word “sanctification” comes from the Greek word "hagiasmos". It means “personal dedication to the interests of the deity; holiness, consecration, sanctification.” It means pretty much the same thing as to be “holy”.
   2. “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 15:16)

• “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Th 2:13-14)

1. Enduement with Power
   1. The word “endue” comes from the Greek word "enduo". It means “to put any kind of thing on oneself; clothe oneself in, put on, wear.” So when we are “endued with power” by the Holy Spirit we are “clothed upon with/clothed in” the power of the Holy Spirit.
   2. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

• “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Act 1:8)

1. Gifts
   1. We are not going to concern ourselves right now with the divisive discussion of whether or not ALL gifts of the Spirit are still in activity today (Cessationism or Continuationism). The fact is that many people, regardless of where they stand on the issue, agree with what the Bible says about what these gifts are as described in scripture. Personally, and I will say so unapologetically, I do not hold to Cessationism. I did for a number of years, and it wasn’t an experience or anything like that that convinced me that they are still in activity today. It was the fact that there is not a single verse in the entire bible that can objectively be interpreted to mean that these gifts have yet ceased. That is not the historical view of Christianity, and it’s not defendable exegetically. I’ve never once spoke in tongues, I’ve never had a vision, or anything like that. It was simply studying the Word of God that corrected me. I will say though that I believe true manifestations of the Spirit of God are not as common as some Pentecostals try to make it seem. Much of what is going on today is not from the Spirit of God because it doesn’t agree with the scriptures.
   2. The term “charismatic” comes from the Greek word "charisma", which means “that which is freely and graciously given; favor, bestowed, gift.” It is found in Romans 12:
      1. “Having then gifts [charismata]differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom 12:6-8)

• These gifts are mentioned elsewhere in more detail—along with some regulations about how they are to be used/exercised—in 1Corinthians 12:
  1. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1Co 12:1-11)

1. Scripturally, there is absolutely nothing wrong with desiring spiritual gifts as a Christian. Paul himself said plainly to the Corinthian believers:
   1. “But covet [desire] earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” (1Co 12:31)
2. The thing that we have to keep in mind is that these gifts from the Holy Spirit are given for a specific purpose:
   1. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1Co 12:7)
3. The reason for these manifestations of the Spirit of God is so that the entire body of believers will be edified [built up] and encouraged in the Lord. They are never for personal gain—except for edification—or an individual believers self-glorying. This is in fact what Paul had to rebuke in the Corinthians (1 Cor. 14:26). They were focusing on the gifts rather than the God who used them to manifest Himself in their midst.

• Here are some gifts of the Holy Spirit that are specifically mentioned:
  1. The word of wisdom
  2. The word of knowledge
  3. Faith—this is different than saving faith. This is a special kind of faith that comes directly from the Holy Spirit for a specific reason.
  4. Gifts of healing
  5. The working of miracles
  6. Prophecy
  7. Discerning of spirits—this is by far the most falsely claimed gift in professing Christianity today. Many times when a minister or believer wants to openly critique or insult another ministry they will not do so on the basis of the Word of God, but they will claim to have the “gift of discernment”. In doing so, they are trying to make themselves the authority and not the Word of God.
  8. Tongues—again, this is a commonly counterfeited gift. Much of what goes on today is not by the Spirit of God because it is not operating as the Word of God tells us it will.
  9. Interpretation of tongues
• Some people try to say that if you don’t exercise the gift of tongues that you do not have the Holy Spirit, and are therefore not saved. This is predominant mainly in Apostolic churches and has troubled a great number of people over the years about the state of their souls. Paul the Apostle, who wrote 1 Corinthians and Romans, did not teach this idea.
  1. “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” (1Co 12:29-30)
  2. The Greek language that Paul used is very specific. When asking a rhetorical question in Greek, and the answer is implied, it is stated at the beginning of the sentence although it is not translated usually. Here, Paul begins his sentence with It means “not”. This means that Paul specifically stated that not all Christians exercise all gifts. There is no specific spiritual gift that is universal in the body of Christ—unless you count salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Himself, etc.

1. Before leaving this aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit let’s consider some important things about how they are supposed to be regulated in the fellowship.
   1. All things are to be done in the proper proportion. The Corinthians were becoming too fascinated with the gift of tongues in particular it seems. Paul rebuked them for this. (1 Cor. 14:5-19)
   2. They were to be done for the edifying and encouraging of believers and—in specific instances—to aid in converting the lost. (1 Cor. 14:12, 23)
   3. We should have wisdom in how they are used and/or exercised. We should exercise some common sense and not have a childish fascination that can bring a reproach upon the cause of Christ and the ministering of the Gospel. (1 Cor. 14:20)
   4. One of the most important things that Paul tells us is that we are to have self-control:
      1. “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1Co 14:32)
      2. What this means is that the prophet’s spirit is subordinate to them: it obeys them. This means that a person cannot be “overcome” by the Spirit and forced to do something. Sometimes people try to say things like, “Well, when the Spirit starts moving me I just can’t help myself!” This is an obvious sign that it is either an unclean spirit (devil/demon), or just something that is of the flesh.
      3. This is very clear in Paul’s commands that they should only speak one at a time (1 Cor. 14:27), they can stop when they choose to (1 Cor. 14:30), and they can control the volume of their voice when they speak (1 Cor. 14:28).
      4. All of this is contrary to much of how demonic spirits operate.
   5. There should be order. There is not supposed to be confusion—like much of today’s Pentecostal churches. Now, order, does not mean that things are scheduled. It just means that people are not shouting over one another and things like that. (1 Cor. 14:32-33, 40) This, again, shows an ability to control yourself.
   6. There should also be humility and teachableness.
      1. “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1Cor. 14:36-37)
      2. If someone is used of the Lord for the manifesting of a spiritual gift it does not mean that they have a peculiar authority. In fact, even prophets are to be examined. They are never to be blindly followed:
         1. “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deu 13:1-3)
         2. “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa 8:19-20)

• “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge [discern, contend]. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.” (1Co 14:29-30)

1. From these things we clearly see that no one—including a prophet—is above being examined or corrected. Those who exalt themselves as such, based upon a position or gifting, do so contrary to the commandments of the Apostle Paul, and even of the Lord Jesus Christ:
   1. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mat 20:25-28)
2. Christ is truly greater than all and He made Himself a servant to even His disciples. He commanded His followers to do likewise.
   1. “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:13-17)
3. No person in the body of Christ is above any other. All are equal in Christ’s body.

1. Fruits
   1. The “fruits” of the Spirit of God are those characteristics or traits that God works in the lives of believers as the Spirit of God leads them. As fruit grows on a tree they should be growing in the Christian’s life. When you think about a tree, an apple tree grows apples. An orange tree grows oranges. Christ applies this principle to the type of works that come from a Christian.
      1. “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Mat 12:33-35)
      2. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Mat 7:15-20)
      3. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (Joh 15:1-8)
   2. Also, nothing that is done by the Spirit of God will ever contradict them. If the Spirit of God is leading a person—which is the description of a Christian (Romans 8:14)—then how the Spirit leads them to do something will never contradict these fruits. The fruits of the Spirit are listed in the book of Galatians:
      1. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23)

• Let’s go through these one-by-one to be more specific.
  1. Love – This is not just a normal love like the world loves. If it were then it would not have to be a fruit of the Spirit of God. It is a non-selfish love that puts others above itself. It is described at-length in 1 Corinthians 13 where it is also called the greatest of all gifts.
  2. Joy – This is the experience of gladness. For Christians, there is a joy that comes directly from the Spirit of God in them. (Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17; 15:32)
  3. Peace – This kind of peace means “a state of concord; peace, harmony.” Christians have a hope that is not based on temporary circumstances of this world or life; because of this we can have peace through even very terrible earthly circumstances. This is especially as we commit our cares and concerns to God through prayer—trusting in Him. (Php, 4:6-7)
  4. Longsuffering – This is the “state of being able to bear up under provocation; forbearance, patience towards others.”
  5. Gentleness – This is “uprightness in one’s relations with others; the quality of being helpful or beneficial; goodness, kindness, generosity.”
  6. Goodness – This is the “positive moral quality characterized especially by interest in the welfare of others.”
  7. Faith – This is not speaking of our faith in God because that is a different Greek word (pisteuo). It is speaking of “that which evokes trust and faith, the state of being someone in whom confidence can be placed; faithfulness, reliability, fidelity, commitment.”
  8. Meekness – This is “the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance; gentleness, humility, courtesy, considerateness, meekness.”
  9. Temperance – This is the “restraint of one’s emotions, impulses, or desires; self-control.”

1. These things are the mark of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is not necessarily a list were we should try to check-off things in our lives, but these things should be growing in us as we seek the Lord. It’s important to remember that these are fruits and not the root. Jesus Christ is the one by whom all spiritual blessings come in our lives. So, just like spiritual gifts, we are to seek Him and ask God to work these things in us.
2. We are to seek the giver and not the gifts. Likewise, if you want fruit to grow on a tree you focus on the soil, roots, and things like that. You don’t focus on where the fruit grows out of the branches and leave the rest of the tree to chance. No, you take care of the tree and the fruit will grow as a result. Focus on Christ, seek Him, and He will work the fruits into your life.

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