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What does the work and empowerment of the Spirit mean to you?
The Fruit of the Spirit is described as a fruit, because it is made up of more than one substance; it has juice, pulp, peal, core, segments, and seeds, all held together by a skin or rind, and attached to the tree by a stem where its nutrients flow in. If you just eat of the pulp or juice and throw out the rest, how can you use the seeds to grow more? If you take the fruit off the vine, it will wither and rot; if the vine is not cared for, the tree will die. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit. God makes it and it requires our growth of faith that necessitates our tending, and it is more than just one substance; all of its substances combined are greater than the sum of its parts.
The Fruit of the Spirit is described as a fruit, because it is made up of more than one substance; it has juice, pulp, peal, core, segments, and seeds, all held together by a skin or rind, and attached to the tree by a stem where its nutrients flow in. If you just eat of the pulp or juice and throw out the rest, how can you use the seeds to grow more? If you take the fruit off the vine, it will wither and rot; if the vine is not cared for, the tree will die. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit. God makes it and it requires our growth of faith that necessitates our tending, and it is more than just one substance; all of its substances combined are greater than the sum of its parts.
Self-Control is allowing God to be in control of your will and heart and seeking the Spirit to enable us.
Gentleness is the character that will show calmness, personal care, tenderness and the Love of Christ in meeting the needs of others.
Faithfulness is the "gluing" fruit that will preserve our faith and the other characters of the Spirit and identify God's will so we can be dependable and trusting to God and others.
Goodness is the engagement of love! It displays integrity, honesty and compassion to others and allows us to do the right thing.
Kindness is the medium through which Christ's love becomes tangible through us. It is practicing benevolence and a loving attitude towards others.
Patience is showing tolerance and fortitude toward others, even accepting difficult situations from them, and God, without making demands or conditions.
Peace is surrendering and yielding ourselves to the Lord to be in His control, for He is our ultimate peace!
Love will enable us to appreciate our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and, of course, our family and others around us.
How to Handle Sufferings Part III What We can Do when People and Life Seem to Come Against Us! Are you being harassed, gossiped about, slandered, or mistreated? If not, it will come. We are called to prepare for it and even seek reconciliation if possible, lest it get worse. At the same time, we are called to remain firm in Christ, operating in His Fruit, and not let the misdeeds of others get the best of us. Yes, this is hard-very hard at times-but we can do it-and do it with excellence! When we operate in His love to others who are mean and hurt us, we are...