The Fruit of the Spirit

I. FOUNDATIONAL MATERIAL

A. The Conflict of Galatians 5

1. Liberty versus bondage (Galatians 5:1)
2. Law versus grace (Galatians 5:4)
3. The Spirit and the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17)
4. Works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19, 22)

B. The Emphasis of the Spirit

1. Positionally – We LIVE IN THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:25).
2. Practically
a. We THROUGH THE SPIRIT wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:5).
b. We are commanded to WALK IN THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:16, 25).
c. We are commanded to be LED OF THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:18).

C. The Statistics

1. Nine is often the number of fruitfulness or fruit-bearing
a. In Genesis 9:1, God tells Noah, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.”
b. Abraham was ninety-nine years (Genesis 17:1) when God made him fruitful (Genesis 17:6) and he conceived his son Isaac who Sarah bore a year later when she was ninety (Genesis 17:17).
c. The Bible speaks of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit in the ninth New Testament book (Galatians 5:22-23).
2. Eighteen can be a number demonstrating the works or the results of the flesh.
a. Eighteen is 6 + 6 + 6 (Revelation 13:18)
b. Paul also gives a list of eighteen in 2 Timothy 3:1-4.
c. The children of Israel served Eglon for eighteen years (Judges 3:14).
d. A woman (whom Satan hath bound) (Luke 13:16) had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years (Luke 13:11).

D. Common Misconceptions

1. Fruit instead of fruits (Galatians 5:22)
a. Many messages have been preached and books written on the fruits of the Spirit. However, the scripture teaches one nine-fold fruit.
b. The idea is that to lack any one part is to suggest an improper walk. For example, a man can possess love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, and meekness, but lack temperance. In such cases, the man is not fully walking in the Spirit.
c. This truth is also to be understood in light of Galatians 5:9.
d. This truth is contrasted against the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). All that needs to exist of the works of the flesh in order to be indicated as such is one element.
2. Fruit is the result of the work of God and the allowance of man.
a. If something is capable of producing fruit, it need only that the right conditions exist in order to bring forth fruit.
b. That being said, it is obvious from the scripture that fruit is possible and even expected in the life of the believer.
c. Therefore, the only possible hindrance is the presence of the right conditions for growing fruit.
1.) If we LIVE IN THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:25). An unsaved man may exhibit elements of the fruit of the Spirit, but he cannot and will not have the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit.
2.) Let us also WALK IN THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:25). Thought the scripture does not give specifics on walking in the Spirit, it seems obvious that this would include a yielded life and one filled with communion with God (prayer and Bible study). An unconsecrated believer may demonstrate elements of the fruit of the Spirit through the efforts of the flesh, but he cannot demonstrate the nine-fold fruit apart from walking in the Spirit.
3. The flesh encourages the fruit of the Spirit.
a. Without ill-will many learn of their inadequacies and vow to put forth more effort in order to compensate.
1.) I will work harder to love others.
2.) I will do all in my power to produce peace.
3.) I am going to try harder to be longsuffering with others.
4.) I am going to have more faith.
5.) I will try my best to respond with meekness.
6.) Etc.
b. The efforts of the flesh actually serve to corrupt the fruit of the Spirit producing rather the works of the flesh.
1.) Love – producing adultery, fornication, hatred
2.) Peace and longsuffering – producing wrath, strife

II. LOVE (Galatians 5:22)

A. The Flesh’s Attempt at Love (Galatians 5:19-20)

1. Love of man (Galatians 5:19)
a. Adultery
b. Fornication
c. Uncleanness
d. Lasciviousness (inclined to lust)
2. Love of God (Galatians 5:20)
a. Idolatry
b. Witchcraft
c. Hatred
d. Variance
e. Emulations
f. Wrath
g. Strife
h. Seditions
i. Heresies
3. Love of stuff (Galatians 5:21)
a. Envyings
b. Murders
c. Drunkenness
d. Revellings

B. The Subjects of Love

1. Their identities
a. Love the Lord (Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-30; Luke 10:27a)
b. Love others (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27b; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14; Ephesians 5:2, 25, 28, 33; Titus 2:4; James 2:8)
1.) Saints (John 13:34-35; John 15:12-17; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 1:15; Ephesians 4:2, 16; Ephesians 6:23; Colossians 1:4; Colossians 2:2; Colossians 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Philemon 5; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 2:10; 1 John 3:10-19, 23; 1 John 4:7-21)
2.) Sinners (Matthew 5:43-46; Luke 6:27-36; see Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:12)
2. Their association
a. God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).
b. God’s love in us causes us to love others (1 John 3:14-18; 1 John 4:7-21).
c. The perfecting of God’s love yields an increase of God’s love to others (1 John 2:5; 1 John 4:12).

C. The Source of Love

1. Love and the trinity
a. God is love (1 John 4:7-8).
b. Love is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:13). Note: Consider also Ephesians 3:19.
c. The saints of Colosse loved “in the Spirit” (Colossians 1:8).
2. God’s love within saints
a. Saints are “taught of God to love one another” (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
b. God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).
c. God hath given us the “spirit of…love” (2 Timothy 1:7).
d. Keeping God’s commandments perfects God’s love within us (1 John 2:5).
e. The outward demonstrations of love are to be merely an extension of God’s love internally (1 John 3:17; 1 John 4:7-16).

D. The Sincerity of Love

1. The nature of sincere love (Ephesians 6:24)
a. It is without dissimulation (Romans 12:9)
b. It is unfeigned (2 Corinthians 6:4-6; 1 Peter 1:22)
c. It is founded upon knowledge and judgment (Philippians 1:9)
2. The result of sincere love
a. It extends to deeds (1 John 3:18)
b. It brings no grief (1 John 5:3)

E. The Service of Love

1. Love precedes action (Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 30:16, 20).
2. Love extends compassion (Proverbs 10:12) and forbearance (Ephesians 4:2).
3. Love promotes sacrifice (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16).
4. Love prefers others (Romans 12:10) or esteems them highly (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
5. Love gives with little-to-no return (2 Corinthians 12:15).
6. Love serves others (Galatians 5:13).
7. Love provokes others to love (Hebrews 10:24).

F. The Success of Love

1. As it relates to God and man – love is free from the harm of God or others (Romans 13:10).
2. As it relates to the law
a. The law is summarized in two commandments (Matthew 22:36-40).
b. Love fulfils the law (Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:14).

III. JOY (Galatians 5:22)

A. The Need to Distinguish Joy

1. From the worldly concept of happiness
a. An emotion solely dependent upon one’s present circumstances
b. An emotion that flees as swiftly as it came
2. From biblical happiness; Though biblical happiness is indeed connected to the HAPpenings in a man’s life (1 Kings 10:8), it is not intended to be designated as a negative or fleeting response. In fact, happiness can exist even in the face of HAPpenings not deemed as positive (Job 5:17).
3. From false conceptions of joy
a. Words always have associative properties with other words; the word joy is no exception.
b. Joy is associated with the words
1.) Glad (Esther 8:15)
2.) Gladness (Esther 8:16, 17)
c. This connection is consistent throughout the Bible (Psalm 51:8; Psalm 105:43; Isaiah 16:10) and is specifically connected to gladness of heart (Deuteronomy 28:47; 1 Kings 8:66; Esther 5:9).
4. Summary
a. Happiness is associated with and responsive to the happenstances of life.
b. Joy is, in many ways, independent of one’s happenstances.
c. To say that one desires to be happy is to request favourable circumstances, but to say that one desires to have joy is to desire an inward gladness regardless of external circumstances.

B. The Flesh’s Attempt at Joy (Galatians 5:19-21)

1. In relationships with the opposite gender (Galatians 5:19)
a. Adultery
b. Fornication
c. Uncleanness
d. Lasciousness
2. In relationships with God (Galatians 5:20)
a. Idolatry
b. Witchcraft
c. Seditions
d. Heresies
3. In relationships with others (Galatians 5:21)
a. Envyings
b. Murders

C. The Source of Joy

1. The immediate source
a. God, the Father (Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 35:9; Psalm 43:4; Isaiah 61:10; Habakkuk 3:18)
b. God, the Son (Psalm 16:11 with Psalm 110:1, 5; Romans 5:11)
c. God, the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:52; Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6)
2. The extended sources
a. The goodness of God (1 Kings 8:66)
b. The strength of God (Psalm 21:1)
c. The salvation of God (Psalm 21:1; Psalm 35:9; Psalm 51:12)
d. The word of God (Jeremiah 15:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:6)
e. The faithfulness of God (John 16:22, 24)
f. The kingdom of God (Romans 14:17)
g. The people of God (Romans 15:32; Philippians 2:2, 17, 18; Philippians 4:1; Colossians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 3:9; Philemon 1:7, 20)
h. The suffering for God (2 Corinthians 7:4; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:13)
i. Miscellaneous
1.) Family
i. Wife (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
ii. Children (Psalm 113:9; Proverbs 23:24; John 16:21)
2.) Labour (Ecclesiastes 2:10, 24; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 5:18)

D. The Sounds of Joy

1. General (1 Kings 1:40; Psalm 42:4; Psalm 63:5; Psalm 66:1; Psalm 98:6; Psalm 100:1)
2. Singing (1 Chronicles 15:16; Job 29:13; Psalm 27:6; Psalm 67:4; Psalm 81:1; Psalm 95:1-2; Psalm 98:4; Psalm 149:5; Isaiah 16:10; Isaiah 35:2, 10; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 51:11; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 55:12; Isaiah 65:14; Zephaniah 3:17)
3. Shouting (Ezra 3:12-13; Job 38:7; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 32:11; Psalm 35:27; Psalm 65:13; Psalm 132:9, 16)
4. Unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8)

E. The Service of Joy

1. Sacrifices (1 Chronicles 12:40; 1 Chronicles 29:9, 17; Nehemiah 12:43)
2. Obedience (Luke 10:17; Acts 20:24)

F. The Strength of Joy (Nehemiah 8:10)

IV. PEACE (Galatians 5:22)

A. The Flesh’s Attempt at Peace

1. Hatred (Galatians 5:20)
2. Variance (Galatians 5:20); meaning disagreements or quarreling
3. Emulations (Galatians 5:20); meaning rivalry or striving for equality
4. Wrath (Galatians 5:20)
5. Strife (Galatians 5:20)
6. Seditions (Galatians 5:20); meaning rebellion or uprising
7. Heresies (Galatians 5:20)
8. Envyings (Galatians 5:21)
9. Murders (Galatians 5:21)
10. Drunkenness (Galatians 5:21)
11. Revellings (Galatians 5:21); meaning disorderly or riotous behaviour

B. The Definition of Peace

1. What is peace?
a. On the surface, one might superficially define peace as an absence of war, troubles, or trials.
b. Yet, the Bible indicates a much broader concept.
c. Two words (quietness and assurance) in Isaiah 32:17-18 suggest as much.
1.) The Bible says, “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”
2.) The next verse states that God’s “people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”
3.) Both verses incorporate the words quietness and assurance revealing that peace offers a quiet assurance.
4.) Other verses also link quietness and peace (1 Chronicles 4:40; 1 Chronicles 22:9; 1 Timothy 2:2) and assurance and peace (Jeremiah 14:13).
5.) Fortunately, this means that peace for the child of God is not contingent upon the circumstances of life. Christians can experience peace even while enduring the worst of circumstances.
d. It is contrasted with words like vexations (2 Chronicles 15:5), offend (Psalm 119:165), bitterness (Isaiah 38:17), trembling (Jeremiah 30:5), and fear (Jeremiah 30:5).
2. A distinction in peaces
a. Foundational thoughts
1.) The importance of phrases
i. We often emphasize the importance of every word of God, and rightfully so.
ii. The Bible also contains important phrases. If these phrases are not properly understood one will assume the Bible contains contradictions and oftentimes misunderstand crucial Bible doctrines.
2.) The importance of words
i. Phrases are made up of words.
ii. Oftentimes, the key to distinguishing between two very different concepts is the ability to note the difference of a word choice within a phrase.
b. Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
1.) The producer of this peace
i. Justification
ii. By faith
2.) The possession of this peace
i. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God.
ii. There is no indication whatsoever that this peace is negotiable or retractable.
3.) The participant of this peace - peace with God.
i. Before salvation, you were an enemy of God (Romans 5:10).
ii. The death of Jesus Christ offered reconciliation to all men (Romans 5:10).
iii. The moment you put your faith in that finished work, you obtained peace with God.
c. The peace of God (Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15)
1.) The producer of this peace - Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
2.) The possession of this peace
i. Based upon prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
ii. Based upon allowance (Colossians 3:15)
iii. It would appear that a Christian can have or not have this peace depending upon his decision to pray and submit to the working of this peace.
3.) The possessor of this peace – “of God”
i. Peace with God describes peace held and enjoyed between two parties.
ii. The peace of God describes God’s peace that is to be allowed to work inside the heart of a believer.
4.) Note: This is the peace spoken of and promised in Galatians 5:22.
3. The presence of false peace
a. False peace comes in two main ways: (1) self-assurance and (2) external promises.
b. Self-assurance (Deuteronomy 29:19)
c. External promises (Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 8:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:3)

C. The Source of Peace

1. The Lord
a. As the giver of peace (Numbers 6:26; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 85:8; Jeremiah 29:11; John 14:27; John 16:33; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 5:14; 2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 1:3; 3 John 1:14; Jude 1:2; Revelation 1:4)
b. As the God of peace (Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 13:20)
2. Righteousness (Psalm 34:14; Psalm 37:37; Psalm 85:10; Isaiah 32:17; Hebrews 12:11)
3. Wisdom (Proverbs 3:13, 17; James 3:17)
4. Faith (Isaiah 26:3; Romans 15:13)
5. Spiritually minded (Romans 8:6; Philippians 4:8-9)
6. Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
7. God’s law (Psalm 119:165; Proverbs 3:1-2; Isaiah 48:18)

D. The Extension of Peace

1. Peace with God yields the potential for the peace of God
2. The peace of God influences our peace with others
a. The meek shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace (Psalm 37:11).
b. When a man’s ways please the Lord even his enemies will be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7).
c. Internal peace moves us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9; Mark 9:50; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; Hebrews 12:14)

E. The Absence of Peace

1. Due to seeking the wrong peace (Deuteronomy 23:6; Ezra 9:12)
2. Enjoying false peace (Deuteronomy 29:19)
3. Satisfaction with enemies of peace (2 Chronicles 15:5; Isaiah 38:17)
4. Failure to seek after peace through
a. Righteousness
b. Wisdom
c. Faith
d. Spiritual mindset
e. Prayer
f. Obedience

V. LONGSUFFERING (Galatians 5:22)

A. Longsuffering Defined

1. The makeup of the word
a. Prefix = long
b. Root = suffer
c. Suffix = ing
2. The root word suffer means to allow to occur or continue, or to bear or endure.
a. Consider the first usage (Genesis 20:6).
b. Consider the words of Samson (Judges 16:26).
c. Consider the prophecy concerning Christ (Psalm 16:10).
d. Consider the words of Christ to John concerning baptism (Matthew 3:15).
e. Consider the words of Christ concerning children (Matthew 19:14).
f. Consider the request of the apostle Paul (Acts 21:39-40).
g. Consider the statement concerning the priests (Hebrews 7:23).
3. The idea is to bear with, endure, or allow to continue for a long time.

B. The Character of God

1. Longsuffering is part of His proclaimed name (Exodus 34:5-7).
2. Longsuffering is a foundational attribute of God (Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15).

C. The Giving of God’s Longsuffering

1. Providing continuance of life (Jeremiah 15:15; 1 Peter 3:20)
2. Leading man to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9)
3. Leading man to salvation (1 Timothy 1:16; 2 Peter 3:15)

D. Man’s Responsibility in Longsuffering

1. In the ministry
a. Paul sought to approve himself as the minister of God, in part, by longsuffering (2 Corinthians 6:2, 6).
b. Paul sought to be an example of longsuffering in his ministry (2 Timothy 3:10).
c. Timothy was admonished by the apostle Paul to exhort with longsuffering (2 Timothy 4:2).
2. For every Christian
a. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
b. It is part of our calling in our personal walk (Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 1:10-11).
c. It is to be put on by every believer (Colossians 3:12).

VI. GENTLENESS (Galatians 5:22)

A. The History of the Word

1. In the eleventh century, the word gentle meant nice or pleasing.
2. In the early thirteenth century, the word gentle was strongly associated with being of good family.
3. In the English language, the word gentle came to mean having the character of those of noble birth, or specifically gracious, kind, and tender.

B. The Biblical Use

1. Note: Various forms of the word gentle appear eleven times in scripture.
2. David requested that Joab, Abishai, and Ittai deal gently with Absalom for David’s sake (2 Samuel 18:5).
3. The Lord’s future dealings with His people are likened to a shepherd gently leading those with young (Isaiah 40:11).
4. Paul demonstrated gentleness among the believers at Thessalonica comparable to the manner in which “a nurse cherisheth her children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

C. The Practical Application

1. David suggested that God’s gentleness is what made David great (2 Samuel 22:36; Psalm 18:35).
2. Paul besought the carnal Corinthians “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1).
3. Paul reminded the Thessalonians that he, and his fellowlabourers, “were gentle” among the believers, “even as a nurse cherisheth her children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7) and “were willing to have imparted unto you [Thessalonians], not the gospel of God only, but also our own [Paul and his coworkers] souls, because ye [Thessalonians] were dear unto us [Paul and his coworkers]” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
4. David asked that his rebellious son (Absalom) be retrieved and dealt with “gently” (2 Samuel 18:5, 12).
5. The qualifications for men of God include “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men…” (2 Timothy 2:24)
6. Christians, in general, are admonished “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2).

VII. GOODNESS (Galatians 5:22)

A. The Definition of Goodness

1. Historically
a. Virtue
b. Kindliness
2. Scripturally
a. Its root word good is associated with the word right (Deuteronomy 6:18; Deuteronomy 12:28; Joshua 9:25; 1 Samuel 12:23; 2 Samuel 15:3; 2 Chronicles 14:2; 2 Chronicles 31:20; Nehemiah 9:13).
b. Its root word good is contrasted both with the word bad (Genesis 24:50; Genesis 31:24, 29; Leviticus 27:10, 12, 14, 33; Numbers 13:19; Numbers 24:13; 2 Samuel 13:22; 2 Samuel 14:17; 1 Kings 3:9; Matthew 22:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10) and the word evil (Genesis 2:9, 17; Genesis 3:5, 22; Genesis 44:4; Genesis 50:20; Leviticus 5:4; Deuteronomy 1:39; Deuteronomy 30:15; 1 Samuel 24:17; Job 2:10; Job 30:26; Psalm 34:14; Isaiah 5:20; Amos 5:14-15; Romans 16:19).

B. The Source of Goodness

1. Man’s goodness extendeth not to God’s (Psalm 16:2).
2. The Lord’s goodness benefits His people.
a. The goodness of the Lord delivered Israel from Egypt (Exodus 18:9).
b. The goodness of the Lord gave Israel a fat land and houses full of all goods (Nehemiah 9:25).
c. The goodness of the Lord fulfilled David’s requests (Psalm 21:2-3).
d. The goodness of the Lord satisfieth that which man needs (Psalm 107:8-9).
3. The goodness of God endureth continually (Psalm 52:1).
4. The goodness of the Lord is an extension of His mercy (Isaiah 63:7).
5. The goodness of God leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4).
6. The goodness of God yields His good pleasure in the lives of men (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

C. The Saint’s Call to Goodness (Romans 15:14)

1. The initial thought might be that this is a call to do good unto others. While there is an element of truth in that, it stops short of God’s intended goal.
2. God’s desire is that man would be “full of goodness.”
3. This suggests that it is in man’s heart to meet or exceed men’s truest needs.
4. In the case of the Lord, His good pleasure (His outward conduct) stems from His goodness (His inward disposition to do good to others).

VIII. FAITH (Galatians 5:22)

A. A Foundational Distinction

1. The faith
a. “A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7)
b. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
c. “Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3)
2. Faith
a. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt” (Matthew 14:31)
b. “O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves” (Matthew 16:8)
c. “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith” (Mark 4:40)

B. The Legitimacy of Faith (Hebrews 11:1)

1. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for”
2. “Faith is…the evidence of things not seen”

C. The Foundation of Faith (Romans 10:17)

1. “So then faith cometh by hearing”
2. “And hearing by the word of God”

D. The Encouragement of Faith

1. As a foundational piece of Christianity
a. Foundational for salvation (Hebrews 6:1)
b. Its trial begins a process of growth (James 1:2-4).
c. It is the foundational piece of a Christian’s practical growth (2 Peter 1:5-7).
2. As a superior piece of Christianity
a. One of the three abiding virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13)
b. A superior piece of the Christian armour (Ephesians 6:16)
c. The end of the commandment (1 Timothy 1:5)

E. The Protection of Faith

1. It quenches the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16).
2. It serves as a breastplate to protect the vital organs (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

F. The Prominence of Faith

1. It was the concern of the apostles (1 Thessalonians 3:5).
2. It is required to please the Lord (Hebrews 11:6).

IX. MEEKNESS (Galatians 5:23)

A. Meekness Defined

1. What is true scriptural meekness? Is meekness simply humility or does it encompass something more pervasive? Though there is some overlap in meaning, meekness goes far beyond humility.
2. As demonstrated in Titus 3:1-3, meekness has to do with the way men respond to one another.
a. In fact, meekness is best expressed by avoiding both speaking evil of others and brawling.
b. Meekness involves responding to others with a gentle spirit.

B. Meekness Demonstrated

1. By Moses (Numbers 12:1-3)
a. The Bible reveals many instances of Moses coming under attack for trying to obey God while leading others through the wilderness.
b. His consistent response reveals why God said that he was meeker than any man upon the face of the earth.
c. The vast majority of times, Moses responded in the spirit of gentleness.
d. Numbers 12:1-3 reveals one such episode when Aaron and Miriam verbally attacked Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman. Moses did not respond to their criticisms but instead pleaded for their well-being after the Lord brought judgment upon them.
e. This was not the only instance of a personal attack upon Moses. In fact, Moses’ recurring response is found in Numbers 16:4, “And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face.”
2. By Christ (Matthew 11:29; Matthew 21:5)
a. The Bible repeatedly referred to Christ’s meekness during His interaction with others.
b. Jesus Christ demonstrated meekness to its perfection on the cross of Calvary when He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
c. Peter emphasized this point when he said of Christ, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).
d. Isaiah prophesied of Christ, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
e. Jesus was mocked, spit on, and struck by His accusers, yet He displayed incomprehensible meekness.

C. Meekness Misunderstood (Proverbs 16:32)

1. Many view meekness as an inherent weakness, yet the Bible corrects this faulty notion. The ability to demonstrate meekness in a time of ridicule or persecution displays strength.
2. Proverbs 16:32 reveals that a man slow to anger is “better than the mighty.” In fact, a man that “ruleth his spirit” is better than a military conqueror who “taketh a city.”
3. Rather than a weakness, the ability to demonstrate meekness is a sign of great strength.
a. The Lord Jesus Christ was meek (Matthew 11:29); yet He simultaneously held the world together “by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3).
b. God referred to Moses as meek, yet he had the power through the Lord to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21) and to open the earth and swallow his enemies (Numbers 16:28-34).
4. Weak individuals respond in anger when attacked; those who are strong exercise meekness.

D. Meekness Practiced

1. We should beseech one another “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1).
2. We should restore brethren overtaken in a fault “in the spirit of meekness” (Galatians 6:1).
3. We are admonished to “walk worthy…with all lowliness and meekness” (Ephesians 4:1-2).
4. We are to “put on…meekness” (Colossians 3:12).
5. We are to “follow after…meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
6. We are to instruct others that oppose themselves in meekness (2 Timothy 2:25).
7. We are to show “meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2).
8. We are to answer those that ask “a reason of the hope” in us “with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

X. TEMPERANCE (Galatians 5:23)

A. Temperance Defined

1. Searching a modern dictionary for the words temperance or temperate likely yields a definition limiting temperance to self-control or abstinence from alcohol.
2. Though these could be elements of temperance, the Bible infers a broader definition.
3. Studying the root word temper offers a biblical definition of the word. Temper is an action word that means to mix something (Exodus 30:35; 1 Corinthians 12:24).
4. Although the Bible contains only a few uses of the words temperate and temperance, these words mean to be balanced, to have a proper mix, or to demonstrate restraint.

B. Temperance Required

1. By all Christians
a. As demonstrated by athletes (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
1.) Athletes incorporate a variety of exercises to strengthen the entire body.
2.) Athletes strive for a corruptible crown by implementing temperance.
3.) For instance, they must have the right mix or balance in diet and exercise. You can call it self-control, but it is more involved than that.
4.) Believers seeking a spiritually incorruptible crown should learn from the athletes. An athlete missing out at the finish line results in sadness. The Christian's failure to incorporate balance, self-control, or restraint will cause him to lose rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. This is the greater loss.
5.) Obviously this temperance involves a stable and certain race, and one that keeps under the desires and wants of the flesh.
b. As admonished among the aged men (Titus 2:2)
c. As an additive to knowledge (2 Peter 1:5-8)
1.) Knowledge is something that should be added to the foundation of faith.
2.) Yet, knowledge brings with it a set of temptations.
i. Knowledge increases sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
ii. Knowledge has potential to pervert (Isaiah 47:10)
iii. Knowledge puffeth up (1 Corinthians 8:1)
3.) With this understanding, it should come as no surprise that the Lord would instruct us to add temperance to our knowledge.
4.) Knowledge without temperance leads to many pitfalls in an individual, church, or ministry. Our knowledge must be balanced by temperance.
2. By ministers (Titus 1:7-9)
a. Though this list specifically deals with a ministry office, it could serve as a list of admonitions for anyone desiring to serve the Lord.
b. Bible teachers and preachers often focus on a few of the most publicized qualifications while neglecting some of the others.
c. Temperance plays an important part in the life of God's servant. Failure of those in leadership to be balanced will lead to people lacking temperance. This same truth holds for anyone who leads or serves in any ministry of a church.