The Fruit of the SpiritThe Fruit of the SpiritPart IV: Faithfulness, Meekness, Part IV: Faithfulness, Meekness, Self-ControlSelf-Control

Galatians 5:22-24Galatians 5:22-24

The Division of the The Division of the FruitFruit

In the first division of fruit of the Spirit we discussed In the first division of fruit of the Spirit we discussed virtues of the mind, attitude:virtues of the mind, attitude:– Love,Love,– Joy,Joy,– Peace.Peace.

In the second division we discussed virtues that In the second division we discussed virtues that relate to our conduct toward others:relate to our conduct toward others:– Longsuffering, Longsuffering, – Kindness,Kindness,– Goodness.Goodness.

In this final section we will be discussing virtues that In this final section we will be discussing virtues that deal with our conduct toward all persons, but deal with our conduct toward all persons, but especially toward God and self:especially toward God and self:– Faithfulness,Faithfulness,– Gentleness,Gentleness,– Self-control.Self-control.

FaithfulnessFaithfulness

pisitispisitis: primarily “firm persuasion,” a : primarily “firm persuasion,” a conviction based on hearing…faithfulness. conviction based on hearing…faithfulness.

This is a moral conviction that one has who This is a moral conviction that one has who is devoted to God’s righteousness and to is devoted to God’s righteousness and to receiving His promises (Matt. 6:33). receiving His promises (Matt. 6:33). – Vine, “trust or holy fervor born of faith and Vine, “trust or holy fervor born of faith and

conjoined with it.”conjoined with it.”– i.e. Faith that God exists, He is Supreme ruler of i.e. Faith that God exists, He is Supreme ruler of

the universe, and our Creator and Savior results the universe, and our Creator and Savior results in one’s conviction of, “I must not sin.”in one’s conviction of, “I must not sin.”

FaithfulnessFaithfulness

Joseph showed this kind of faithfulness.Joseph showed this kind of faithfulness.– Gen. 39:1-9Gen. 39:1-9– Vs. 9: “Vs. 9: “How can I do this great wickedness How can I do this great wickedness

and sin against Godand sin against God?”?”– He had great faith in God. He had great faith in God. – He saw the wickedness of the situation, he He saw the wickedness of the situation, he

knew the righteousness of God. knew the righteousness of God. – Because of His faith in God and his knowledge Because of His faith in God and his knowledge

of God’s righteousnessw, Joseph refused to of God’s righteousnessw, Joseph refused to take part in this wickedness. take part in this wickedness.

– His decision to uphold God’s righteous His decision to uphold God’s righteous standard was the evidence or manifestation of standard was the evidence or manifestation of His faithfulness. His faithfulness.

FaithfulnessFaithfulness

Abraham showed this kind of faithfulness.Abraham showed this kind of faithfulness.– Rom. 4:19-22Rom. 4:19-22– Not being weak in faith (faithfulness): He had great Not being weak in faith (faithfulness): He had great

confidence in the promises of God.confidence in the promises of God.– Where most men would not think of having children Where most men would not think of having children

at 100 years of age, Abraham’s confidence caused at 100 years of age, Abraham’s confidence caused him to think otherwise. him to think otherwise.

– Being strengthened in faith: Where most men would Being strengthened in faith: Where most men would have given up trying to have children at his age, he have given up trying to have children at his age, he was strengthened and continued on, even 25 years was strengthened and continued on, even 25 years after he first received the promise (Gen. 12:2, 4).after he first received the promise (Gen. 12:2, 4).

– Abraham’s faith in God caused Him to follow God, Abraham’s faith in God caused Him to follow God, even in the face of great uncertainty (Heb. 11:8-10) even in the face of great uncertainty (Heb. 11:8-10)

Gentleness, MeeknessGentleness, Meekness

prautesprautes: gentleness or meekness. “…an : gentleness or meekness. “…an inwrought grace of the soul…the exercises inwrought grace of the soul…the exercises of it are chiefly toward God” (Vine). of it are chiefly toward God” (Vine).

It is described as mildness or humility.It is described as mildness or humility. See how it is used by James in 1:21; 3:13.See how it is used by James in 1:21; 3:13.

– Receive it with gentleness and humility. How?Receive it with gentleness and humility. How?– 1:22—hear it and do it. Requires submission. 1:22—hear it and do it. Requires submission. – 3:13—The manner in which we must do our 3:13—The manner in which we must do our

works is with meekness. The opposite of works is with meekness. The opposite of arrogance or haughtiness.arrogance or haughtiness.

Gentleness, MeeknessGentleness, Meekness

Not to be seen as weakness.Not to be seen as weakness.– The world likens meakness with weakness or The world likens meakness with weakness or

having no backbone. having no backbone. – But was Jesus weak?But was Jesus weak?

Never! Matt. 26:50-53Never! Matt. 26:50-53 Why did He allow Himself to be taken? Vs. 54Why did He allow Himself to be taken? Vs. 54 He showed meekness by humbly submitting to the He showed meekness by humbly submitting to the

will of God (Luke 22:42), even though He had the will of God (Luke 22:42), even though He had the power and strength to escape. power and strength to escape.

– Therefore He said, “Therefore He said, “Take my yoke upon you Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am and learn from Me, for I am gentlegentle and and lowly in heartlowly in heart, and you will find rest for , and you will find rest for your soulsyour souls” (Matt. 11:29).” (Matt. 11:29).

– This is the fruit that God’s Spirit ought to This is the fruit that God’s Spirit ought to bear in us.bear in us.

Self-ControlSelf-Control

enkrateia enkrateia : “strength, the controlling : “strength, the controlling power of the will” (Vine). power of the will” (Vine). – For one to be meek and gentle requires For one to be meek and gentle requires

great inward strength, as Jesus showed. great inward strength, as Jesus showed. – This inward strength is called self-control.This inward strength is called self-control.– It is the control that one exercises over It is the control that one exercises over

their body by use of their mind or will.their body by use of their mind or will.

Self-Control, Self-Control, TemperanceTemperance In order to be truly filled with the Spirit, we must In order to be truly filled with the Spirit, we must

control our bodies by stifling our temptations control our bodies by stifling our temptations thereby allowing God’s righteousness to rule thereby allowing God’s righteousness to rule (Rom. 8:13).(Rom. 8:13).

It takes practice; strength comes with time.It takes practice; strength comes with time.– Every time we face a temptation we are practicing Every time we face a temptation we are practicing

control.control.– Everytime we are longsuffering we are practicing Everytime we are longsuffering we are practicing

control.control.– The world would argue that sin is freedom, but the The world would argue that sin is freedom, but the

practice of sin is in fact slavery to that sin.practice of sin is in fact slavery to that sin.– Only when we are in control of our own minds and Only when we are in control of our own minds and

bodies can we truly become free. bodies can we truly become free. One of the greatest motivations for self-control One of the greatest motivations for self-control

is love for God and love for others.is love for God and love for others.

Concluding ThoughtsConcluding Thoughts

Vs. 23: Against such there is no Vs. 23: Against such there is no law.law.

Vs. 24:Those who are in Christ.Vs. 24:Those who are in Christ.– Are you in Christ?Are you in Christ?– The evidence that we are in Christ is The evidence that we are in Christ is

the fact that we have crucified the the fact that we have crucified the flesh; we have shut it down so that it flesh; we have shut it down so that it is no longer a controlling force in our is no longer a controlling force in our lives. lives.

Concluding ThoughtsConcluding Thoughts

In the world

“In Christ”

Gospel

Obedience

Gal. 3:26-27Flesh

Spirit

Concluding ThoughtsConcluding Thoughts

Vs. 25: If we live in the Spirit. Vs. 25: If we live in the Spirit. – God, through the blood of Christ gives us God, through the blood of Christ gives us

life.life.– Because the Spirit of God reveals this Because the Spirit of God reveals this

through the gospel we are made alive in the through the gospel we are made alive in the Spirit. Spirit.

– If we want to retain that life we must also If we want to retain that life we must also walk in the Spirit (conforming our conduct walk in the Spirit (conforming our conduct to the word which is revealed by the Spirit). to the word which is revealed by the Spirit).

The place to begin is by first obeying The place to begin is by first obeying the gospel. Will you come? the gospel. Will you come?