Holy Spirit Part 3: Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Part 3: Fruits of the Holy Spirit  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 NKJV Introduction Walking in the Spirit produces fruits  Walking in our natural knowledge will lead us to error because we are not perfect  We need a guide in our lives, not everything must be learnt by experience  What happens when we don’t survive the consequences of the things we want to experience  You can’t be walking with Him and have no evidence of His presence in your life The Sign & Evidence  What is the sign that we have been filled with the Holy Spirit? What is the evidence that we have been filled with the Holy Spirit? One of the most common evidence is the speaking of tongues, prophesy and power gifts However we have seen people who speak in tongues but don’t produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit This is the most dangerous type of believers They preach so well and have revelation knowledge but have a character that is worse than the unbelievers  They get promoted in the ministry and mess things up for themselves and everyone  They produce the works of the flesh instead of fruits of the Spirit  ““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:15-20 NKJV Without discrediting tongues and power gifts Fruits of the Spirit are the most superior sign that you have Holy Spirit in you Over the years we have given people with no Holy Spirit a Center Stage in the Ministry because of power gifts  Jesus said we will know them by their fruits because it’s difficult to know them by their preaching or prophecy because they are masters of disguise James 3:12 NKJV “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18 NKJV Distinguishing between Flesh & Holy Spirit “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV The bible calls them the WORKS of the flesh because flesh makes you work hard Walking in the flesh causes toil, resistance and suffering Adam walked in the flesh and it resulted in thorns and thistles It’s hard work to commit sins on the list of works of flesh There is nothing like one thing led to the other… it’s hard work to cheat Sin abuses the flesh… increases the aging process Holy Spirit is available to deliver us from the works of the flesh I’m saying this with love: It’s doesn’t matter if you are young, old, preacher, leader or congregant. Holy Spirit is here to deliver you from the works of the flesh You will start producing the fruits of the Spirit That is what God wants for your life John 15:1-8 NKJV Conclusion: “But the fruit of the Spirit is  Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control This is what the Lord wants for His children