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Filled with the Holy Spirit

Filled with the Holy Spirit 
Day 
Day 78

"The fruit of the Spirit..."

Text: Galatians 5:22

EVIDENCE OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

How may we know that the Spirit of God is working in the life of a person? The best evidence is when the individual bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23

1. The word “fruit”

a) This word is to be contrasted with the word “works” in Galatians 5:19.
b) “Fruit” may indeed be compared to “works” even though they are not exactly the same.

2. The reference to the Holy Spirit

a) This is to be contrasted with the word “flesh” in Galatians 5:19.
b) The flesh is a reference to that which represents evil (in this context).
c) The Spirit is the opposite of “the flesh”.

3. The works of the flesh is another way of describing “the fruit of the flesh”.

4. The fruit of the Spirit is another way of describing the work of the Spirit.

A NINE-FOLD FRUIT

The fruit of the Spirit is not limited to these expressions listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Many other things may be added as the fruit of the Spirit. The Apostle only highlighted these expressions in direct contrast to the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20).

1. “The fruit of the Spirit”

a) Each fruit may stand by itself.
b) Yet they are better understood as a cluster (think of a bunch of grapes).
c) It is associated with the Holy Spirit because it is the result of the work that He does in the life of the believer.

2. Love is highlighted

a) This love is first experienced when we understand God’s love for mankind (Romans 5:8).
b) It is then experienced in a very real way when His love is poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5).
c) In time “love” becomes a fruit.
d) The Lord Jesus Christ Himself highlighted the need to abide in Him, in His word, and in His love.
e) Love was highlighted by the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13) and the Apostle John (1 John 2:5).