Works of the Flesh and Fruits of the Spirit: Is it a struggle?
The Lord woke me in the very early hours of the morning with an immediate desire to seek him in prayer and in his word. Early morning devotions are something that I have trained myself to do over the years, to become closer to the Lord but it is also a desire God has given to me and has helped me so much along my way, to the point that I long for this time of solitude with our Lord every morning. Some mornings there is a different feel, like God is wanting to give me something extra special. This was one of those mornings. I know you have been there and can relate! He is so good to his children all the time! As I started from one of my quick devotion books this morning, it quickly led me to Ephesians and I ended up starting my bible reading from Galatians and ending in Ephesians and some in John.
When I think about Galatians and Ephesians some very familiar verses quickly come to my mind from previous studies and preachings. One coming from Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: And the life which I now live in the flesh I now live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Another is Galatians 5:16-21 about walking after the spirit and not fulfilling the lust of the flesh such as adultery fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders drunkenness, revellings, and such. It goes further in the fruit of the spirit in verses 22-23. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Galatians chapter 6 really spoke to me this morning from the entire chapter. It tells us about bearing on another’s burdens and helping to restore in meekness which is one of the fruits of the spirit. Verse 3 in chapter 6 explains further if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Verse 4 talks about comparing, which my preacher recently preached about as well. Galatians 6:4, But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Galatians 6:10, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Ephesians is full of wonderful instructions and wisdom as well. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye save though faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2 14-18 talks about another fruit of the spirit which is peace. For HE is our peace (verse 14)……It talks about the mystery being made known. Ephesians 3:6 that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. Ephesians 3:8-11 talks about the unsearchable riches of Christ. Verse 9 brings out how Paul wants to make us aware of the eternal purpose of the gospel, the good news. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. John 1:1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Ephesians 4 talks about keeping unity of the spirit, the gifts of Christ and the new creature that we are in and through Christ. Ephesians chapter 5 tells us to walk in love, which is another fruit of the spirit. Ephesians 5:19 was one of the springboard verses from my devotion this morning that launched my readings further into the entire Galatians and Ephesians, and it says, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 6 is known for instructions to children, servants to their masters and the whole armour of God. Ephesians 6:18 was another devotional verse this morning that launched the further readings as well. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
One of the main points, although many great from these two books of the Bible, that is burning in my heart and devotion this morning, is how we are to stand fast (Ephesians 5:1) in the liberty of Christ. To quote this verse, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hast made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. My Pastor’s wife recently led the ladies on a bible study of this topic of holding fast and it still stands out in my heart and mind as a reminder. It is easy to get tangled back up with our fleshly desires, our fleshly thoughts and not be led by the spirit although the spirit dwells inside the believer, the saved person. It appears we allow ourselves to get focused on the minors when there is major purpose and work to be done for our Lord and Savior. It happens and Galatians and Ephesians is so full of wonderful directions for us on how we need to focus on our own behaviors to keep a check on our own spiritual walk so we are useful for his purpose of leading others to Christ. The fruits of the spirit study is a wonderful study on it’s own and so convicting. We are known by the fruits we bear and that is what other Christians and non-Christians see and are looking at that may or may not lead them to Christ or closer to Christ.
The study bible that I read from, discusses a contrast of the works of the flesh mentioned in Galations 5:19-20 with the fruit of the spirit. This commentator points out, the believer can know whether he or she is walking by the Spirit or being controlled by the flesh by contrasting these two. Oh me and so convicting! Every jot and tittle matters to the Lord. Not just parts of his word and instructions. Ouch again! I personally feel like we, as Christian ladies, want to serve the Lord wholly and entirely and that it is easy to be side tracked by the flesh at times and often at that!. If we continue in those ways, which Satan wants, it may be that one does not have the spirit indwelling within. They have not accepted Jesus as their Savior. The good news (gospel) is that he came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:9-10) If we recognize we are leaning and practicing in any of these areas of the works of the flesh and purpose to follow after the spirit that is indwelling within us, verse 25 will make more sense. Galatians 5:25, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians chapter 6 takes us further into bearing one another’s burdens. We will need the fruits of the spirit to be able to bear one another’s burdens with meekness, lest we also be tempted (Ephesians 6:1). Ephesians 6:3 says, For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. We are all nothing without Christ dwelling within ourselves. Ephesians 6: 9 and 10 says, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (another fruit of the spirit).
As Christians, we know we love the Lord, we know we love each other, we know we love our churches, we love our homes, our families and so much more. Is it easy? Probably not for most. Are we blessed? Yes! We are indeed blessed beyond measure! Are we bearing the marks of a Christian by displaying the fruits of the spirit and waring against the works of the flesh? Mostly likely we are warring but what and who is winning? The flesh? As a Christian that has accepted Christ the war of our soul is already won. But these battles are tough! It would be good to study and be aware of what we are warring against so we will easily recognize the enemy when he is attacking to make us display and succumb more to the works of the flesh as opposed to the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit can only truly be produced by God.
Ephesians ends with the whole armour of God. Studying the fruits of the spirit is one way to make sure you have the full armour of God in place. Each and every piece is important and a whole study in itself. God bless you in sincerest love and prayers. I want to be more like him and less like me. He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). I pray you will take time to further look up these verses and passages above and bask in the spirit of the Lord as you do so. He is so very good like that! Help yourself my friend! Love, always.
Wisdom:Better Than Rubies 