Spiritual Fruit
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· 72 viewsIn this lesson Pastor Bogan discusses what spiritual fruit is and how it is produced in our lives.
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In this lesson we will define what spiritual fruit is and how it is produced in a believer’s life.
In this lesson we will define what spiritual fruit is and how it is produced in a believer’s life.
What is Spiritual Fruit?
What is Spiritual Fruit?
Spiritual fruit represents the nature of Christ in the believer. Spiritual fruit is revealed in the form of Christlike behavior and attitudes.
=Spiritual gifts are the direct result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is given to believers to receive the Holy Spirit (in His distinct personality) separate from the work of regeneration. Moreover, the end result of this experience is power.
Spiritual fruit, on the other hand, is a sign of life, not power. It is the life in a tree that produces fruit. Therefore, spiritual fruit is the result of having the life of Christ within (). Although spiritual fruit is the result of the life of Christ , it nonetheless requires the presence of the Spirit’s power in order to grow or increase ()!
Spiritual fruit is distinguished from spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are the result of power from the Holy Spirit. However, spiritual fruit is the result of the life of Christ ().
Spiritual fruit is the result of the life of Christ (). Although spiritual fruit is the result of Christ’s life , it nonetheless requires power from the Spirit to grow and increase ()!
Although spiritual fruit is the result of Christ’s life , it nonetheless requires power from the Spirit to grow and increase ()!
Spiritual fruit, on the other hand, is a sign of life, not power. It is the life in a tree that produces fruit. Therefore, spiritual fruit is the result of having the life of Christ within (). Although spiritual fruit is the result of the life of Christ , it nonetheless requires the presence of the Spirit’s power ().
There is but one fruit, not nine (, ).
The word “fruit” is in the singular, not the plural. Therefore, this passage is not speaking of 9 “fruits,” but rather of 1 “fruit” with 9 different characteristics. Just as one piece of fruit can have several qualities (crisp, juicy, tart, etc.), the fruit of the Spirit has nine different characteristics.
Secondly, these different qualities do not grow at the same rate. A person can have a different mixture of fruit. For example, one person might have more goodness than faith, or more patience than joy.
We should add, these 9 different qualities do not grow at the same rate. A person can have more goodness than faith, or more patience than joy.
What Produces Spiritual Fruit?
What Produces Spiritual Fruit?
Spiritual fruit is a byproduct of the following:
Communion
Communion
In order to bear spiritual fruit a believer must maintain unbroken communion with Christ (, , ; ).
No amount of spiritual gifts can substitute for walking in communing with Christ!
Although spiritual gifts may be bestowed at once through the laying on of hands (), spiritual fruit is received over time as one maintains communion with Christ ().
This is why we can have spiritual gifts before our spiritual fruit has been perfected ()! Character (fruit) may not affect the manifestation of a gift, it will affect the edification of a gift. In fact, for a maximum manifestation of spiritual power spiritual fruit and spiritual gifts must exist together!
The character (fruit) may not have much effect on the manifestation of the gift, but it will effect the edification of the gift. In fact, for a maximum manifestation of spiritual power spiritual fruit and spiritual gifts must exist together!
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit
Spiritual fruit requires power from the Holy Spirit ().
Paul contrasts spiritual fruit with the works of the flesh (). Thus, no amount of work, not even Christian work, can substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean God doesn’t require effort from us (, ).
The Spirit’s the agent (or source of power) and we’re the patient (or the bearer of the fruit)!
Death
Death
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In order to bear spiritual fruit our old man (self) must die ().
Before we can “put on” the characteristics of Christ (fruit) we must “put off” (put to death) our old life ().
Our old nature is like seeds that must be planted and die before the new nature of Christ can come forth ().
Secondly, these different qualities do not grow at the same rate. A person can have a different mixture of fruit. For example, one person might have more goodness than faith, or more patience than joy.
The phrase “being filled with the fruits of righteousness” modifies the phrase “that your love may abound” ().
We must walk and abide in love to bear fruit ().
Spiritual Discipline
Spiritual Discipline
We require purging in the form of spiritual discipline to bear spiritual fruit (; ).
Fruit results from the death of our old nature that acts like seeds in the ground. The fruit that comes up is a result of the nature of Christ developing in us.
The Characteristics of Spiritual Fruit
The Characteristics of Spiritual Fruit
The fruit of the Spirit can be divided into 3 sub-categories. For example, qualities to help us better relate God (love, joy, peace), to others (long-suffering, gentleness, goodness) and to ourselves (faith, meekness, temperance).
There is only one fruit of the Spirit, and not nine (, ).
The word “fruit” is in the singular. Therefore, this passage is speaking of 1 “fruit” with 9 different characteristics. Just like one piece of fruit can have several qualities (crisp, juicy, tart, etc.), the fruit of the Spirit has different characteristics.
We should add, these 9 different qualities do not grow at the same rate. A person can have more goodness than faith, or more patience than joy.Again, thereThe fruit of the Spirit can be divided into 3 sub-categories. For example, qualities to help us better relate God (love, joy, peace), to others (long-suffering, gentleness, goodness) and to ourselves (faith, meekness, temperance).