Urgent Message Part 2: "But the Fruit of the Spirit is.." (Galatians 5:22-23).

This is a message that deals with the Holy Spirit. As born again believers (Christ followers), we have the Holy Spirit dwelling on the inside of us! In the context of verses 19-24, we're given another expression about the Holy Spirit which confirms as well as expands what we've shared so far about "walking by the Spirit." In this passage of Scripture, apostle Paul is contrasting the "deeds of the flesh" (v. 19-21) with the "fruit of the Spirit" (v. 22-23). In other words, the opposite of doing the "deeds of the flesh" is "bearing the fruit of the Spirit!" Recall that this is exactly the same contrast we saw when examining verse 16; "Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." The "deeds of the flesh" are what is evident when we "carry out the desire of the flesh." On the other hand, the "fruit of the Spirit" is what appears in our lives when we "walk by the Spirit." So, what we have in this passage of Scripture are three aspects of the work that the precious Holy Spirit does in the life of the Christ follower! Praise God forevermore! The three aspects are: "walking by the Spirit" in verse 16, "being led by the Spirit" in verse 18, and bringing forth "the fruit of the Spirit" in verse 22. Paul is making it very clear that what the Holy Spirit brings forth in the lives of Christ followers, is not our work! It's the Holy Spirit's fruit as opposed to our work. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is not something that we can "work up." The answer to the "deeds of the flesh" is given to us as the "fruit of the Spirit!" That is the key! The Holy Spirit brings forth the fruit as we yield to His influence! We need to have a big "want to." Recall, that the Holy Spirit influences us by creating desires (our big want to) that are supernaturally stronger than those of the flesh! As Christ followers, when we walk by the Holy Spirit, we're simply operating in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I can't think of a better way to describe the freedom of following our strongest desires than to compare it to having the fruit of the Spirit just showing up in our attitudes and behavior! Praise the Lord forevermore! Let this teaching be a blessing from God to you! Your move. Be encouraged!