gentleness

October 23, 2013 by Robin Caddell

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.

Girls With Swords: Chapter 4 – “The Battleground” (pgs 57-59)

I often wonder why it seems as if life is a daily battle…. Why we have to fight for things that seem so basic, so common, as Lisa says, we don’t have to fight for the words of Galatians 5:19-21.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But we do have to fight for the words of Galatians 5:22-26.

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Jesus fought a battle larger than any we could imagine. He died on the cross and won that battle. He won that battle so w could handle the battles He knew would follow. “This means, that sometimes we must battle to become one.” We must battle to become one with Him. We must battle to become the mothers He created us to be, to become the wives He designed us to be, and we must battle to become the women He designed us to be. He knew what we would be facing. He knew that our lives would seem like battlegrounds, that’s why He gave us the tools we would need. He placed the sword in our hands, and told us what to look out for, what to avoid. He told us what Satan would use to attack us, what weapons he would throw in our path.

When I am counseling someone at work one of the things I tell them that they can use to their benefit is the knowledge of what may happen—knowing what may come down the road can help prepare them for it. We have a list printed up of some common reactions to their situation. This list can be used as a tool when things arise. It allows each person to develop the tools needed before the “attack” comes.

The same has been done for us. Listed above (Galatians 5:19-21) are the attacks Satan uses on us and will continue to use on us, to try to divide us and separate us from our Heavenly Father. God has also created a list of tools (Galatians 5:22-26) we need to carry with us to fend off these attacks. We would be wise to use these God-given tools each and every day in our lives!

“You don’t set up camp in hell…you journey through it.” Life was designed to be peaceful and pleasurable, but yes there are times where we have to hold up our swords to protect our joy and peace; times when we are walking through rough patches in our lives. As Lisa says, we journey through it.

Ladies, keep this in your heart, “There are times you must battle to become one.” So, let’s pick up our swords and push forward.

*****

Let’s Pray:

Lord, I pray Galatians 5:22-26 over our lives. I pray for love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as we journey through our battlefield. I thank You for the tools we need to counter Satan’s attacks. I thank You that no weapon formed against us will prosper. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Esther – Chapter 8:7-8

Girls With Swords: Chapter 4 – “The Battleground” (pgs 57-59)

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)

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Esther – Chapter 8:7-8

Girls With Swords: Chapter 4 – “The Battleground” (pgs 57-59)

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)

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