But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Oh, how I love this scripture, sisters! We looked at it when discussing our “beauty regimen” in chapter 2 and now, as we revisit it, we see those “fruits” are also the proof of the Holy Spirit living and working in you! (But first, let’s get back to Esther….)
Things are FINALLY looking up for her, Mordecai, and the Jews! Haman is gone, Mordecai and Esther have been redeemed and in verses 7-8 we see that the estate of Haman has been given to Esther. Moreover, another decree is now being written in the King’s name on behalf of the Jews which not only allowed the Jews to protect themselves, but also to destroy anyone that attacked them AND plunder the property of their enemies. This decree we see is sealed with the King’s signet ring and signifies the irrevocable nature of the new decree. Hooray!
Darlene then compares this seal to the seal, or mark, of the Holy Spirit, which is given to us when we become a child of God. Let’s look at the Scripture she provides: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)
My Study Bible gives this further explanation regarding the seal of ownership: “It was both the first installment on a loan and a guarantee of its complete payment” (Quest Study Bible). So if the Holy Spirit is a deposit and a guarantee of future payment – how amazing will the payoff be?? How exciting!!
The Holy Spirit is vital to your life as a believer! Darlene provides a sampler of Scriptures to discuss the role He plays in our lives. We see:
- that He is a counselor (John 14:16)
- that He will convict the world in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11)
- that He is a guide into all truth (John 16:13)
- that He glorifies Jesus (John 16:14)
- and He testifies about Jesus (John15:26)
Think of the Holy Spirit as the ultimate Guide to help you navigate your way in this life and help you enter Heaven with as many rewards as possible! In fact, different versions of the Bible will translate “Counselor” in John 16:7 as “Advocate” or “Helper.” (For an incredible, in-depth study of the Holy Spirit and His role in your life, may I recommend “The Helper” by Catherine Marshall.) But just like Jesus, the Holy Spirit will not work in your life against your will. We must choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Example: My GPS will give me the correct directions to reach my destination, but if I don’t turn it on, or if I ignore its instructions, it can’t help me!
How do we know if the Holy Spirit is guiding us down the right path? How do we know that He’s working? Well, that brings us back to Galatians 5:22-23, the first Scripture mentioned today. When you see a tree, you know what kind of tree it is because of the fruit that is hanging from it. Likewise the “fruits of the Spirit” are evidences that can be seen in our lives that we are allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. The more we allow the Spirit to shape our lives, change our thinking, and mold our behavior, the greater the evidence – the greater the harvest of fruit!
So…. How are YOU doing?? I’d love to know! Is there a fruit that is your favorite? And which one do you need to cultivate more often in order for it to grow in your life?
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father – You are a kind and gracious God! Thank You for redeeming us from our enemies. Thank You for sealing us as Your children and giving us the Holy Spirit, not only as a promise for the future, but to help us in the present! I ask You to help me listen to the guidance that Your Spirit longs to give me and help me to blossom into a beautiful, fruit-filled tree for all to see! Thank You for Your blessings, Your goodness, Your grace and Your love. May I be able to show those qualities to someone who needs them today. In Your Son’s name we pray.
Amen.
About Robin Caddell
Thank you, Robin, for this study about God’s Holy Spirit. Sometimes I feel that He is not given much notice or reverence, but He is an equally vital part of the Trinity and His influence and involvement in our lives is (or should be) be very important to us. Since the study in Chapter 2 when I put the list of the Fruit of the Spirit on my cosmetic case, I have been much more aware of the fruit and realizing which ones I need to “work on.” I find it may change from day to day, but as always Patience is the biggy. An aside: our five year old granddaughter recently learned about the Fruit of the Spirit in pre-school so we say them together. The other day we said them, and when we finished she said “Kindness.” Then I realized that I had skipped “kindness,” oops! “A little child will lead them.” 🙂 I pray never forget Kindness as I live out my life.
Clella, I believe you are so right that the Holy Spirit is not given much notice or reverence, which is so unfortunate! I know that when I started cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit and cooperating with him, my walk with God has become MUCH stronger! I love that your granddaughter remembered all of the fruit – there is definitely a reason Jesus told us that we should have faith like little children! 🙂
Great post, Robin, of the Holy Spirit. I love writings that encourage me to examine myself. I agree with Clella that it may change from day to day. Something about these fruits that make them hard to become habit forming. The Holy Spirit just reminded me that I allow them to work or NOT work in me according to my circumstance. Right now, I need a good dose of how to be gentle.
Thanks for your honesty, Martha! I love those Holy Spirit “reminders” -even if they sting a little at first. 😉 The beauty of them, though, is that they are given not to tell us that we are insufficient or bad, but as a gentle nudge to steer us in the right direction. If I may make a suggestion? Try not to think of the “fruits” as a habit, or something you have to DO or OBTAIN – that does make it more difficult. Think of them as characteristics of your character -something that you ARE. You already have the seeds planted in you by having the Holy Spirit residing in you – so you are already in possession of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control AND gentleness! We all just work on developing what we already have. <3
to answer your question(s), i must admit that i think i am always in need of all 9 all the time! so very thankful God chose to give us this ‘Helper’ when Jesus left this earth…i surely need Him!
(oh! and mrs. marshall’s ministry and books have so influenced my life! ‘the Helper’ is a particular favorite of mine, too!) <3
Loving “The Helper”, Coleen! I will definitely be checking out more books of hers. And I agree with you about being thankful for the Holy Spirit! Without Him I wouldn’t be able to make it through the day! 😀
have you read any of her husband’s (peter marshall) books? He was the chaplain for the Senate in the mid-40’s, and died in office there. check out his prayer books! <3
Thanks Coleen! I’ll definitely check them out! 🙂
Awesome blog Robin. Loved the GPS reference – so true! Thanks for mentioning “the Helper” I have read it before but I believe I will read it again 🙂
Thank you! Isn’t it a fantastic book?? Love it! I think it’s a valuable one for all of us to read to help us understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives – it’s empowering! 🙂
Great blog, Robin! I love the GPS example – it is such a great analogy, and easy to tuck in the back of my mind to reference back to.
I think it depends on the day, but I think I could work more on Joy. I tend to be a serious minded person and could probably let that into my life more, but honestly I need to work on all of them!
Thanks, Sherrie! I like to think of the Holy Spirit that way – it makes Him much more accessible and less intimidating! JOY is a wonderful fruit to have in your life – it’s such a help, in all areas and situations. 🙂 I try to work on that one, myself!