Friday, September 15, 2017

Checking The Fruit

Walking in the Spirit is crucial if we are to live a life that is pleasing to God.  Unfortunately most people have no idea how to tell if a person is walking in the Spirit or not.  Various teachers and groups have named different things as evidence of walking in the Spirit.  One of the most commonly cited evidences is the ability to speak in tongues.  Since speaking in tongues is a common practice in Satanism, as well as numerous pagan religions, it can hardly be seen as proof of the Holy Spirit’s power.  Other groups have cited soul-winning efforts or adherence to a moral or religious code as evidence of The Holy Spirit in one’s life.   Unfortunately, these things can be done simply as a matter of ones will-power and do not necessarily indicate anything about spirituality. 

James 3:13-18 provide some definite things to look for.  “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

Over the centuries, many English words have changed meanings. And thhe word conversation is one of them.  Today, it refers to our talk, but originally to a person’s lifestyle.  If a person is walking in the Spirit, their lifestyle ought not be characterized by the works of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19-21.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

These things are a clear indication of a person who is not walking in the Spirit, even casting doubt on one’s salvation.  I Corinthians 3:1-4 makes it very clear that envy of another’s position and place or conflicts with other people demonstrate a carnal, unspiritual state.  “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

Even engaging in most doctrinal arguments demonstrates an unspiritual state.   Titus 3:9-11 instructs, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.  A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”  The fact that a person refuses to accept what God has commanded indicates they are allowing Satan to lead.  Instead of focusing on their sin, we need to focus on what God said, and allow God to deal with them.  We have been commanded to teach the gospel, not to change people’s minds. 


As James 3:17-18 said, a spiritual walk will produce a gentle cooperative nature that does what is right.  Galatians 5:22-23 describes the attitudes the Holy Spirit produces.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  When these attitudes are not present, it clearly indicates the Holy Spirit is not in control, and the result will be confusion and all kinds of sinful behavior.  Matthew 7:17-20 advises, “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  While we are not to become judges, we can surely check the fruit to see whether it is apples or lemons.

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