Fruit
of the Spirit - Love
1.
Loving God and loving others is the #1 Kingdom principle.
2.
One of the first things Jesus will ask you when you get to Heaven is if
you learned to love.
3.
Our love walk is vitally necessary when it comes to receiving healing
and deliverance, or whatever it is that we are asking the Lord for.
4.
The failure to walk in love can prevent a person from receiving their
healing and can block the flow of God’s blessings.
5.
Whatever we receive from the Lord, we receive by faith.
6.
Faith works by love (Galations 5:6).
7.
Without love, our faith will not work properly.
8.
If we are not receiving answers to our prayers, perhaps we need to check
up on our love walk.
9.
Unforgiveness and hatred are deadly to our love walk, and these are
blessing blockers.
10.
To hate our brother is the same as walking in darkness, according to 1
John 2:11.
11.
We cannot say that we love God and are walking in the light, yet hate
our brother at the same time (1 John 1:5-8, 2:9).
12.
Hatred is as the sin of murder, and no murderers will inherit eternal
life (1 John 3:15, Revelation 21:8).
13.
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
14.
If you do not have love in your heart for someone, the Holy Spirit can
place that love there.
15.
Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by
the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
16.
In the Old Testament, there was probably nothing of greater importance
than the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Yet love is superior to all of the
sacrifices.
17.
David said in Psalms 51:16-17 that God does not delight in sacrifices
and burnt offerings, but in a broken and contrite heart.
18.
The heart and attitudes of man is what God is after.
19.
Mark 12:33 (NKJV) says, “And to love Him with all the heart, with all
the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love
one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and
sacrifices.”
20.
The law of Moses contains numerous laws. However, if we just walk in one
law – the law of love – we will have fulfilled the law.
21.
Romans 13:8-10 (NKJV) says, “Owe no one anything except to love one
another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
22.
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of
the law.
23.
If you walk in love, you will not break any of the ten commandments.
24.
Jesus commands us to love one another. John 13:34-35 says, “A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that
you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if
you have love for one another.”
25.
In John 14:21 Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His
commandments.
26.
In John 15:13 Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to
lay down one's life for his friends.”
27.
Greek word for “love” = Agape (noun).
Sacrificial, unselfish love; benevolence; good will. God’s love for mankind.
Our love for God and others. Agape love involves feelings of affection, but is
based on a decision of the will. Agape love always gives, and puts the
interests of others before its own.
28.
Agape is a term used for the Love Feasts in the early church. The New
Unger’s Bible Dictionary states: “At this meal the Christians, in connection
with their common Redeemer Jesus Christ, ignored all distinctions of rank,
wealth and culture, and met as members of one family.”
29.
Greek word for “love” = Agapao
(verb). To regard the best welfare of another. To have preference for one
another. To prize and treasure. Love for the brethren. God’s love for mankind
as demonstrated by giving His one and only Son. Our love for God demonstrated
in affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of
benefits received.
30.
Greek word for “love”: Phileo
- friendship; to be kindly disposed to one; tender affection; personal
attachment; sentimental feelings; to love from the heart.
31.
Greek word for “love”: Philos –
a dear one; to be fond of; a friend; an associate; a neighbor.
32.
Greek word for “love”: Philadelphia
– brotherly love; the love which Christians cherish for each other as
brethren.
33.
Greek word for “love”: Philandros
– affectionate as a wife; a wife showing affection to her husband. Titus 2:4a.
34.
Greek word for “love”: Philoteknos
– loving one’s offspring or children. Titus 2:4b.
35.
Greek word for “love”: Philanthropia
– love of mankind; benevolence; philanthropy. Acts 28:2; Titus
3:4.
36.
Greek word for “love”: Philanthropos
– love of mankind; philanthropy; humane; kindness. Acts 27:3.
37.
Agape (noun) and agapao (verb) is the highest form of love, and is
imparted to us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
38.
Without agape love in operation, it is not possible to act in genuine
phileo or philos love (love for the brethren, family and friends).
39.
In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul gives us a clearer understanding
of what it means to walk in agapao love.
40.
Love is Patient (Greek:
makrothumeo) – to be long spirited, forbearing, patient; to be patient in
bearing the offenses and injuries of others; to be mild and slow in avenging;
to be long suffering; slow to anger, slow to punish.
41.
Love is Kind (chresteuomai)
– to show oneself helpful; to act benevolently; to show oneself mild.
42.
Love is Not Envious (zeloo)
– to have warmth of feeling against; to be heated or boiling; jealousy.
43.
Love is Not boastful (perpereuomai)
– braggart; to vaunt oneself.
44.
Love is Not Proud or Arrogant
(phusioo) – to be haughty; to inflate; blow up; blow out; to cause to swell up.
45.
Love is Not Rude (aschemoneo)
– to be (or act) unbecoming; behave unseemly.
46.
Love is Not Self-Seeking (zeteo)
– seek; require; demand (one’s own way); selfishness; self-centeredness.
47.
Love is Not Easily Angered
(paroxuno) – to exasperate; to irritate; provoke; rouse to anger; to be
sharp.
48.
Love Thinks No Evil (Greek:
kakos) – troublesome; injurious; pernicious; destructive; baneful; keeping
a record of wrongs.
49.
Love Does Not Rejoice in
Iniquity (Greek: adikia) – injustice; moral wrongfulness (of
character, life or act).
50.
Love Rejoices in Truth (Greek:
aletheia) – what is true in any matter under consideration (opposed to what
is feigned, fictitious, false); truth as a personal excellence; that candor or
mind which is free from affectation, pretense, simulation, falsehood, deceit.
51.
Love Bears All Things (Protects)
(Greek: stego) – to roof over, (figuratively) to cover with silence; to
keep secret; to hide; conceal; to protect or keep by covering; to preserve; to
bear up against; hold out against, and so to endure, bear, forbear.
52.
Love Believes All Things (Trust)
(pisteuo) – to have faith (in, or with respect to, a person); to
think to be true; to be persuaded of; to credit; place confidence in.
53.
Love Hopeth All Things (Expect)
(elpizo) – to expect; expect the best.
54.
Love Endures All Things (hupomeno)
– abide, remain; i.e. bear trials; have fortitude; persevere.
55.
Love Never Fails (or Falls) (pipto) – to fall;
used of descent from a higher place to a lower; used of descent from a standing
to a prostrate position; to fall from a state of uprightness; i.e. to sin; to
come to an end; cease.
56.
Galations 5:13 says, “For you have been called to liberty; only do not
use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love SERVE ONE
ANOTHER.”
57.
To serve means to minister to others, attending to and waiting upon
others, caring for others, serving the welfare of others.
58.
To be a servant one must have a spirit of humility.
59.
Servanthood is putting the best interests and needs of others before
oneself.
60.
A servant attitude is one of meekness, kindness and gentleness.
61.
A servant leader leads by example.
62.
To serve others is to show honor, preferring one another (Romans 12:10).
63.
To serve others is to esteem others higher than ourselves.
64.
Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or
conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others.
65.
Jesus defines greatness as that of being a servant.
66.
Before God exalts a person to leadership, He looks for a servant heart.
67.
Mark 10:43-44 says, “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your
minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”
68.
A servant leader seeks to be a good example to others. They lead by
serving, and their followers learn to serve by observing their leader.
69.
Jesus is our ultimate example of a servant leader.
70.
Mark 10:45 (NKJV) says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” John 6:38
states: “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will
of Him who sent Me.”
71.
Jesus is our role model of how to demonstrate servanthood to others.
Jesus left His place at the head table to wash His disciples’ feet (John
13:5). Jesus also displayed humility by
ministering to the needs of people around him.
He healed people and went about doing good.
72.
Jesus and the Bride of Christ serve one
another.
73.
Jesus serves the Church by demonstrating His unending love, humility,
mercy, goodness, kindness, graciousness and faithfulness.
74.
Jesus leads by example. There is no selfishness in Him. He is concerned
about the needs of His Bride.
75.
Jesus laid His life down for His Bride, and He wants us to lay our lives
down for one another.
76.
Jesus is very patient. He is not harsh, sharp or easily angered.
77.
Jesus cherishes His Bride, fostering her with tender loving care, with
the implication of brooding over her like a hen would brood over her chicks,
keeping them warm and safe.
78.
Jesus nourishes and nurtures His Church.
79.
There is a distinction between being a church-goer and being the Bride
of Christ.
80.
A person can be religious and not even be saved.
81.
The Bride is in love with Jesus and seeks to do His will.
82.
The Bride serves her Bridegroom (Jesus). She finds out what pleases Him
the most and then does those things.
83.
Agape love and servanthood means to show honor, respect, courtesy and
consideration to one another.
84.
Honor is defined as: high regard or great respect
given, received or enjoyed; dignity; repute; esteem; to treat with deference
and courtesy.
85.
Respect is defined as: to
feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard; to consider or treat
with deference or dutiful regard; to show consideration for; courteous regard;
to avoid intruding upon (such as respecting others’ boundaries and feelings).
86.
The term “deference” is
defined as: a yielding in opinion,
judgment or wishes; courteous regard or respect; honor.
87.
In certain passages of the Bible, some translators use the word
“respect” while other translations use the term “reverence”.
88.
Reverence is similar to respect, except has deeper meaning. Reverence
implies deep respect together with love.
89.
To revere is to have high esteem or awe for; to venerate. Reverence
suggests a regarding with great respect, affection, honor and deference.
90.
Love edifies others.
91.
Romans 14:19 says, “Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for
peace and the things by which one may edify another.”
92.
Romans 15:2 says, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, for
his edification.”
93.
Edify is defined as: “to build up (as in the idea of building a
structure); a builder; an edifice; an architect; to construct; to confirm; to
establish; to be a house builder; to rebuild; to build up from the foundation;
to restore or repair.”
94.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon further defines “edify” as to promote growth in
Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness and blessedness.
95.
The opposite of edification is to tear down, to damage, to destroy, to
injure, to harm, to break, to weaken, to put others down, to discourage or
depress, to destabilize, to undermine, to demoralize, to cut away by unkind
remarks or actions, to crush, to deflate, to diminish or reduce, to shred into
pieces, to belittle, to humiliate, to criticize, to disdain, to be negative.
96.
Remember the “3 E’s”:
Edify
Esteem
Encourage
97.
Love never fails. If things are failing in your life, then check your
love level.
98.
Love is not just an attribute of God, God IS love. God is not faith, but
He is full of faith. God is not mercy, but He is merciful. However, God IS
love. That’s the essence of who He is.
99.
There are no limitations to those who walk in God’s love.
100. The revelation of all
possibilities is in the understanding of my love identity.
101. The Church has been in the
state of reason and emotion for a long time. They feel good, and may run
around, yet don’t have the success or victory rate you should have if you got
the revelation of His love. When you’re in a real fight, you have to know how
to use the Sword of the Spirit and be led by the Spirit. The Church needs to go
to the reality of who you really are in Christ and what you have on the inside
of you and be able to use the Sword of the Spirit accurately and skillfully.
102. Ephesians 3:14-21 – Love
Identity. How do I access or activate this kind of love identity?
103. Love is the highest you can
go in the realm of the Spirit. Love is higher than faith, and even higher than
the blood of Jesus. Love is God and God sent the Blood. Love is higher than the
Gifts of the Spirit.
104. Love is the most excellent
way.
105. God is love and love is
God’s whole identity. When you love God, you got all the promises of God, from
Genesis to Revelation. You have the fullness of God.
106. Love makes you more than a
conqueror. Romans 8:20. Anything defeating me is only temporary.
107. Ephesians 3 (prayer Paul
prayed for inner strength to be bold, strong, victorious, joyful).
108. Romans 5 you can be in the
greatest battle. We glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh
patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. And hope makes not
ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. “Hearts” is
referring to your soul. The love of God is shed abroad in my mind and emotions,
and I am conscious of the fact that God will never leave me or forsake me.
109. God’s love is shed abroad
in your emotions. Say “touch me Lord Jesus”, and He will.
110. God can shed abroad His
love into your imagination. Can you imagine what would happen to your life?
111. Romans 12:2 cannot work
without love. You cannot fully renew the mind with just the Word, but you need
the love of God to renew the mind. The perfect will of God means love.
112. The love of God is shed
abroad in our will.
113. Perfect love casts out
fear. 2 Timothy 1:7. The power, love and a sound mind cannot work without love.
114. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, be
not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee. I will help thee. I
will uphold thee with My right hand.
115. Ephesians 3:14, inner man
is your soul.
116. The root of the Spirit is
love. Everything else is the fruit.
117. When you get out of love,
you get into the flesh and into pride.
118. Your first works is love.
119. Love is the master of the
Spirit world.
120. When you are all upset and
walk out of love, you are not as powerful as you could be.
121. The love walk is not an
emotional love walk. It’s triumphant.
122. Satan downplays love
because he knows how powerful it is. This world demonstrates weak love.
123. Be rooted and grounded in
love.
124. Love surpasses knowledge.
125. Love surpasses facts. I’ve
got something in me to stir up miracles.
126. Love is supernatural.
127. Your life will be
transformed by God’s love inside of you.
128. You have to be strengthened
in your inner man by God’s love, before you qualify for the next verse.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us …”
129. The richest attribute of
God’s Glory is love.
130. Galations 5:6 says faith
which works by love.
131. Love is the ground wire.
132. The stagnation and
frustration you’ve been going through is over. Love makes grace show up.
133. You will be stronger than
you’ve ever been in your life, because of a deeper love relationship between
you and God.
134. Love will never let you
down, even when you make a mistake.
135. “The past won’t last.”
Whatever you need wiped out can be wiped out by the power of love.
136. Love gives. “For God so
loved the world that He gave …”
137. “God so loved the world” …
that’s you and me. He loves us just the way we are. He just wants you to
surrender yourself to Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord.
138. The Baptism of the Holy
Spirit involves tongues, but is a baptism of the love of God.
139. Works don’t replace love.
140. Return to your first love
and first work (Revelation 2:1-7).
141. All limitations can be
crossed by love.
142. We are called in Christ to
make marks which cannot be erased, and love makes those marks.
143. Because of love I will live
and declare the glory of the Lord.
144. Love brings results to our
prayers and faith.
145. “Lord, spread Your love
through my imagination.”
146. Love heals the broken
heart.
147. There is no greater love on
earth than being a grandparent.
148. Love can be stirred up.
Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and
good works.”
Fruit
of the Spirit - Joy
1.
Joy is the English word for Strong’s #5479, chara. Chara is defined as
“calm delight; cheerfulness”. It is translated as “exceedingly joyful, joyous,
gladness”. It is derived from #5463 chairo, meaning “calmly happy or well off;
cheerful”. It is translated in the New Testament as “joy”, “gladness”, and
“rejoice greatly”.
2.
There are more than 28 other Greek and Hebrew words for joy. Definitions
include: exultation; elation; jump for joy; leap for joy; skip for joy; to
sympathetically move (as of a quickening of a fetus); to evangelize (announce
the good news of the Gospel); be in a good frame of mind; to boast in the Lord;
to glory in the Lord; grace; favor; pleasure; to give thanks; blithesomeness;
glee; mirth; to be bright; delight; shout of joy; singing; triumph; jubilee;
blowing of trumpets; acclamation of joy; sound an alarm; battle-cry; to split
the ears with sound; make a joyful noise; to spin around; dancing; to break out
in joyful sound; goodness; beauty; welfare; to laugh; to play; to be or make
well; happy; be content; successful; to make sweet.
3.
The Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines joy as the emotion evoked by
well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one
desires; a state of happiness or bliss.
4.
Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2; Romans 14:17, 15:13;
Galations 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6)
5.
Joy is second on the list of the Spirit-filled life. “But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
6.
Joy is associated with hope and faith (Romans 15:13; Galations 5:22-23).
The Holy Spirit is seen as the One giving the joy, hope and faith.
7.
Joy is also associated with peace and righteousness in the Holy Ghost
(Romans 14:17, 15:13).
8.
Joy - Rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and
Heaven is your eternal home! Luke 10:20
9.
Joy - Jesus despised the shame of the cross, because He focused His mind
on the joy of the future that was set before Him. Hebrews 12:2
10.
Joy - The Apostle John had no greater joy than to know that his
spiritual children walked in truth (3 John 4).
11.
Joy - In order to remain joyful, keep company with other joyful and
positive people.
12.
Joy - One way to build your praise to God is to associate with others
who are praisers.
13.
Joy - Don’t spend a lot of time with gloomy people, except to offer
encouragement, prayer and to cheer them up.
14.
Joy - Be careful of someone who is in a pit of gloom and despair, lest
he or she pull you in the pit with them. Sometimes you have to turn people over
to God and let Him heal them.
15.
Joy - Unforgiveness and bitterness will hinder the force of joy from
operating in your life (Mark 11:23-26; Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15).
16.
Joy - The Lord gives us the oil of joy or gladness for mourning (Isaiah
61).
17.
Joy - God turns our mourning into dancing (Psalms 30:11).
18.
Joy – The oil of joy and gladness breaks yokes and burdens off of
people, because of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27).
19.
Joy and rejoicing are daily choices. The Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice in
the Lord always; I will say it again, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
20.
Joy is cheerfully expectant.
21.
Joy contains expectation of a prosperous and successful future.
22.
Joy can get you through any hardships, trials, grief or sorrow (1 Peter
4:12-14).
23.
Joy - Most prosperous and successful people are joyful people, because
they are positive minded and are thankful individuals.
24.
The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The Lord says to
prepare a feast and celebrate, and sorrow no more. The word for “strength” in
this verse means a defense, a rock, fortitude. It also means “staying power”.
25.
Joy strengthens a person spiritually, emotionally, mentally,
relationally, financially and physically.
26.
Joy - Science has proven that laughter is therapy to the soul and entire
body, including the bones (Proverbs 15:30, 16:24, 17:22).
27.
Joy - Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but
a broken spirit dries the bones.
28.
Joy - The Holy Spirit is likened to new wine, and wine is also
associated with joy and laughter. The Bible says that wine makes merry
(Ecclesiastes 10:19).
29.
Joy - The Bible teaches us to drink wine in moderation to avoid
drunkenness. Ephesians 5:18 encourages us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It
says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit.” In Acts 2, the Jews at Jerusalem thought that those who were filled
with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues were drunk, but the Galileans
were sober and praising God in languages they had never learned, and speaking
eloquently as the Spirit gave them utterance.
30.
Joy - When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will speak to
yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:19-20).
31.
Joyful people make a habit of singing quite often. Singing expresses joy
and brings joy. Some people need to get their song back.
32.
Joyful people are thankful individuals. They express their gratitude to
the Lord and others. They may keep a gratitude journal, and write down a few
things each day that they are grateful for.
33.
Joy - When a person expresses gratitude, then breakthroughs come to
their life and dreams come to pass, and then the person has even more joy than
they had before. Gratefulness expresses joy, but also generates more joy.
34.
Joy - Father God enjoys answering our prayers when we ask in Jesus’
Name, because it brings us fullness of joy! John 16:24 says, “Until now you
have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be
full.”
35.
Joyful people make the commandments of God their delight, and they
prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in
his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by
the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also
shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
36.
Joyful people never run dry, and they are strong and stable. They are
connected to Jesus (the Source), and they are like that tree planted by the
rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in season, and his leaf shall not
wither and whatever he does will prosper (Psalms 1).
37.
Joyful people have a spring in their step and tend to be more agile.
38.
Joy - May your morning confession be: “This is the day that the Lord has
made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalms 118:24).
39.
Joy - God promises that those who delight themselves in the Lord, they
shall receive the desires of their heart (Psalms 37:4).
40.
Joyful people delight in doing God’s will (Psalms 40:8).
41.
There are enemies to joy: anxiety, worry, depression, hopelessness,
gloom, fear, rage, anger, resentment, negativity, insecurity, faithlessness,
impatience, bitterness, unforgiveness, offense, hatred, ingratitude, abuse, a
victim mentality, lack of peace, exhaustion, loneliness, confusion, pride,
judgmental attitude, strife, arguing, discord, family breakdown, complaining,
murmuring, doubt, sadness, grief, mourning, sin, disobedience to God’s
commands, dwelling on past mistakes, spiritual darkness, frowns, downcast
appearance.
42.
There are friends that dwell with joy: love, peace, rest, strength,
endurance, forbearance, patience, meekness, calm delight, pleasure, positive
expectation, hope, faith, grace, gentleness, humility, high praise, worship,
gratitude, gladness, cheerfulness, rejoicing, laughter, dancing, singing,
playing musical instruments, positive thoughts and attitude, Presence of God,
Glory of God, Anointing of God, the fruit of the Spirit, smiles, countenance is
radiant, dwelling in the light of God.
43.
Joy - Happiness is based on circumstances and mood swings, whereas joy
is fixed in the heart. We can feel joy on both good and bad days and in any
situation.
44.
Joy wins battles. When Judah’s army, at the leading of King Jehoshaphat,
began to sing songs in the beauty of holiness, and go out before the army
praising the Lord, God set up ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab
and Mount Seir and they became confused and turned on each other and
self-slaughtered (2 Chronicles 20:21–24).
45.
Joy is associated with rest. When you have entered God’s Sabbath Rest,
there is joy and gladness. Rest is also linked with faith and hope. As you
rest, God is working, bringing the answer to pass in your life.
46.
Joy is associated with believing (believing in God’s goodness, believing
the Lord to answer your prayers, believing for the best outcome, believing in a
bright future) – Romans 15:13.
47.
Joy - Though you may not have seen Jesus in person yet, you believe and
rejoice in Him, with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).
48.
Joy - The sacrifice of joy, praise and worship, is likened to the
fragrant offering from the Altar of Incense in the Holy Place. Joy and praise
are likened to a sweet-smelling aroma ascending to the very Throne Room of God,
for which He is well pleased (Revelation 5:8-9 AMP).
49.
Joy - There is joy during sufferings, trials and persecutions. Joy is
what sustains you and gets you through it (Matthew 5:12; Colossians 1:24; 1
Peter 4:13).
50.
Joy - Romans 5:3-5 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in
tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love
of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to
us.”
51.
Joy undergirds your faith and hope. Joy also gives you the grace and
endurance to go through trials with composure, knowing that hard times don’t
last forever.
52.
Joy can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory because it knows
that difficult times have an expiration date. Joy gives you hope for a better
future.
53.
Joy - Glorify God with all your wealth, honoring Him with your very
best, with every increase that comes to you. Then every dimension of your life
will overflow with blessings from an uncontainable source of inner joy!
Proverbs 3:9-10
54.
Joy - When you rejoice and laugh by faith, you tap into true joy, and
resist yielding to depression and fear. Keith Moore
55.
Joy - Happiness is always an inside job. Author Unknown
56.
Joy asks, “Who can I be a blessing to today?”
57.
Joy - Smile, for you never know how it may brighten someone’s day.
58.
Joy - Be so happy that when others look at you they become happy too.
59.
Joy - Psalms 27 talks about the sacrifices of joy—rejoicing in God’s
goodness, mercy, grace and presence with singing, shouting, dancing, lifting up
holy hands and playing musical instruments. David knew how to rejoice before
the Lord with the sacrifices of joy.
60.
Joy - Paul mentions joy and rejoicing 16 times in the book of
Philippians. Joy must be crucially important for Paul to mention it so many
times in one small epistle alone.
61.
Joy is so powerful that demons have a meltdown, tremble and flee.
62.
Joy - Your joy is a demonstration of the triumph of Christ.
63.
Joy - Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.
64.
Joy is associated with trusting in the Lord and rejoicing in His
goodness.
65.
Joy is linked with the fruit of kindness. When kindness is demonstrated
in relationships, it brings joy to the relationship.
66.
Joy is the best makeup. Author Unknown
67.
Joy is contagious. Be a carrier and spread joy to everyone around you.
68.
Joy – When Jesus Christ came into this world, He was heralded in with
angelic choirs singing songs of joy, and joy was announced to the whole world.
69.
Joy - Rejoice because you are a son or daughter of God!
70.
Joy is found in the beauty and peace of nature, such as beautiful
forests and flower gardens.
71.
Joy - Psalms 126 says:
1 When the Lord turned
again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled
with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen,
The Lord hath done great things for them.
3 The Lord hath done great
things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity,
O Lord, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears
shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and
weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
72.
Joy - Comparison is the thief of joy.
73.
Joy - God’s goodness, and any mention of His goodness, brings joy.
74.
Joy - Proverbs 15:15 says, “All the days of the desponding and afflicted
are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad
heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].” AMP
75.
Joy is found in a grateful heart.
76.
Joy - Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He
will joy over thee with singing.”
77.
Joy - The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the
spirit heals with joy. Author Unknown
78.
Joy - The Bible instructs us in the attitude that we are to serve God.
It says to serve the Lord with gladness (Psalms 100:2).
79.
Joy - Gladness is defined in the Hebrew as: glee, blithe, making merry,
rejoice, joyful, to brighten up, cheerfulness, goodness, welfare, beauty, to go
well with.
80.
Joy is linked with waiting on the Lord. While we are waiting, God is
working in the situation and we can have joy knowing that.
81.
Joy - Waiting on God also speaks of spending time soaking in God’s
Presence, and in His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are
pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11).
82.
Joy is connected to the thoughts you think. If you think joyful, happy,
positive thoughts, then you will be filled with joy and gladness. As a man
thinks in His heart, so is he (or so does he become). Proverbs 23:7
83.
Joy - He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs
11:25).
84.
Joy - The joyful person finds delight in God’s Word (Psalms 1:2), and
delights to do God’s will (Psalms 40:8).
85.
Joy - “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for
anything.” Irish Proverb
86.
Joy - Laughter is an instant vacation. Milton Berle
87.
Joy is the serious business of Heaven. C.S. Lewis
88.
Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all of the
details of your life; the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going
to be okay; and the determined choice to praise God in all things. Kay Warren
89.
Joy - When we receive miracles and answers to prayer, and dreams come to
pass, it sparks joy.
90.
Joy - Weeping may endure for a night (a season), but joy comes in the
morning. Psalms 30:5
91.
Joy - May you become filled with so much joy and happiness that it heals
every part of you.
92.
Joy and grieving are meant to be shared with others. Rejoice with them
who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15
93.
Joy - After Elisabeth (who was past childbearing age) gave birth to John
the Baptist, her family and neighbors heard that the Lord had shown her great
favor, and done wonderful things for her, and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:58
94.
Joy - A mother presses through the pains of labor, and rejoices when the
baby is born and she is holding her infant in her arms.
95.
Joy - There is no greater joy on earth than to be a grandparent.
96.
Joy - The fear (holy reverence) of the Lord is a fountain of life.
Proverbs 14:27
97.
Joy - Happy people don’t go through life collecting recognition. They go
through life giving it away. Dodinsky
98.
Joy - Once you have feasted on the goodness of God, nothing else will
satisfy. D.A. Ovieda
99.
Joy - May we always have an attitude of gratitude, because thankfulness
produces joy.
100. Joy and hope are
interconnected. You can bubble over with hope. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God
of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the
experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound
and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.” AMP
101. Joy - Your future is as
bright as the promises of God.
102. Joy - The reward ceremony
in Heaven will be unlike anything we can imagine.
103. Joy - “Likewise, I say to
you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who
repents.” Luke 15:10
104. Joy - Psalms 32:11 says,
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you
upright in heart!”
105. Joy - Psalms 46:4 says,
“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place
of the tabernacle of the Most High.”
106. Joy - Isaiah 12:3 says,
“Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” NKJV
107. Joy - John 10:10b says, “I
(Jesus) came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to
the full, till it overflows).” AMP
108. Joy - Jeremiah 31:12-14
states:
12 Therefore, they shall
come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of
the Lord, for wheat (Word of God), and for wine (Joy), and for oil (Anointing),
and for the young of the flock and of the herd (Prosperity): and their soul
shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
13 Then shall the virgin
rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their
mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their
sorrow.
14 And I will satiate the
soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my
goodness, saith the Lord.
109. Joy - God restored to
Joseph many times over for all the turmoil and pain he had gone through being a
slave in Egypt. God turned Joseph's affliction into joy—so much to the point
that when his first son was born he called him “Manassah”, meaning “He has made
me to forget my toil”. He named his second son “Ephraim”, meaning “God has made
me double fruitful”.
110. Joy - Psalms 34:8 says, “O
taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him.”
111. The Lord spoke and said,
“If you only know what happens in the Spirit when you rejoice, you would
rejoice every day.” Mark Hankins
112. Joy's Multifaceted
Connection: Joy is connected to: God's Presence (Psalms 16:11); God's strength
(Nehemiah 8:10); God's salvation (Isaiah 12:3); the Anointing — the oil of joy
(Hebrews 1:9), God's medicine (Proverbs 17:22); God's Word (Jeremiah 15:16, Psalms
119:162); and Prosperity (2 Corinthians 9:6-10, Psalms 105:37-45). Mark Hankins
113. When we rejoice, we are
acting like sons and daughters of God! Rejoicing is an act of faith. Mark
Hankins
114. Remember the words of Paul
in Acts 27:25: “Cheer up…I believe God that it shall be as He told me.” When we
believe God, we can cheer up! Believing and rejoicing ushers in the glory and
goodness of God in our lives. Mark Hankins
115. Look at all of the
blessings of God that are connected to joy. It seems that if Satan can steal
our joy, then he can damage a lot of other things in our lives. Mark Hankins
116. Jesus sits in the heavens
and laughs triumphantly (Psalms 2:4). Mark Hankins
117. One of the characteristics
of the Kingdom is joy in the Holy Ghost. Mark Hankins
118. Joy gives you patience and
staying power! It helps you to
stay in a position of faith while God is working a miracle in your life, while
He’s working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)! If you rejoice
while you wait for the answers to your prayers, it won’t be long until you see
the answer manifest. Mark Hankins
119. Joy is the proper protocol
for entering into God’s Presence (Psalms 100). Mark Hankins
120. If you want the Kingdom of
God to break loose in your life, then joy is the supernatural battle strategy.
Get full of joy and the dominion of God will breakout. The faster you get
happy, the faster the devil is out! Mark Hankins
121. Faith has a beginning and
faith has an end. Joy unspeakable and full of glory is the bridge between
believing and receiving (1 Peter 1:8-9). Mark Hankins
122. Rejoice that what God has
promised, He is also able to perform. When you begin rejoicing, laughing, and
shouting by faith, something happens in the Spirit realm and the glory finds a
place to land! Mark Hankins
123. When you go through a
trial, the joy of the Lord neutralizes the pressure. Mark Hankins
124. Laughter releases
resurrection power that melts down disease. Laugh at disease, laugh at torment,
laugh at lack. First John 3:8 (AMP) says, “…the reason the Son of God was made
manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil
[has done].” The Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil,
and the language of laughter will loosen and cause a meltdown of all the power
of hell! Ha, ha, ha! Mark Hankins
125. Your joy is Jesus’ joy. Mark
Hankins
126. Joy is like the gentle warm
sunshine of Spring upon the soul.
127. J O Y = Jesus, Others,
Yourself
128. Joy is a daily choice.
Choose joy and gladness today.
Fruit
of the Spirit - Peace
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, PEACE, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no
law.”
The general internet dictionary defines peace as
freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility; freedom from or the cessation
of war or violence; harmony, concord.
The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary goes on to say:
“freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in
personal relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments; a
pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a
state of enmity; to keep silent or quiet.”
The New Testament Greek word for “peace” is eirene
(Strong’s #1515). It is defined as “prosperity, quietness, rest, set at one
again.”
The Old Testament Hebrew word for “peace” is
shalom. Shalom is more than a greeting, but it wishes a person prosperity,
success and happiness.
The blessings of Shalom (Strong’s #7965) include:
1.
Peace
2.
Quietness
3.
Tranquility
4.
Salvation and Baptism of the Holy Spirit
5.
Rest
6.
Joy
7.
Hope
8.
Faith
9.
Love
10.
Absence of war
11.
Absence of strife and contention
12.
Peace in our spirit (rational intellect, the part of us that communes
with God)
13.
Peace in our soul (mind, will, emotions)
14.
Peace with God, especially in covenant relation
15.
Peace that surpasses our understanding
16.
Peace like a river
17.
Unity
18.
Concord
19.
Harmony (the anointing oil flows with unity)
20.
Freedom from confusion and captivity of any kind
21.
Success and Blessings (family, children, both material and non-material
things)
22.
Giving thanks for all your blessings
23.
Prosperity
24.
Wealth
25.
Living debt free
26.
Debts cancelled
27.
Satiation of God’s goodness
28.
Being filled up with the Word of God
29.
Possessing the promises of God
30.
Completeness
31.
Wholeness
32.
Restoration
33.
Rejuvenation
34.
Refreshment
35.
Recreation
36.
Contentment
37.
Friendship
38.
Friendliness
39.
Fellowship with the saints
40.
Soundness in mind and physical body
41.
Excellent health
42.
Wellness
43.
Security
44.
Welfare
45.
Happiness
46.
Joy
47.
Rejoicing
48.
Gladness
49.
Jubilee
50.
Delight
51.
Melody
52.
Singing
53.
Laughter
54.
Nothing missing and nothing broken
55.
Safe (in mind, body or estate)
56.
Restitution
57.
Compensation
58.
Deliverance from our enemies
59.
To walk in favor with God and man
60.
God gives His Beloved sleep
61.
Days of Heaven upon earth
62.
A greeting (“May it be well with you”)
63.
Messianic Reign
Jesus took the stripes on His back for the
punishment for our peace. His Blood Atonement was enough to forgive sins, give
eternal life, heal our bodies, minds and emotions, bring us out of poverty and
into abundance, give us peace of mind and peace in our relationships, to give
us total shalom.
Jesus tells us in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with
you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
In John 16:33 Jesus goes on to say, “These things I
have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Because Jesus has overcome the world, we can be
overcomers as well, and experience that peace in the midst of chaos in this
world.
When we are troubled in our minds and emotions, and
perplexed and distressed and full of anxiety, the peace of God will overwhelm
us to the point where it surpasses our understanding. We won’t be able to
understand how we could feel so much peace in the midst of the storm, but His
peace is there for us without measure.
Philippians 4:6-8 tells us:
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,
but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite
requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil
state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing
from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that
peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true,
whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome
and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything
worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your
minds on them]. AMP
The Bible says that God is the author of peace, as
opposed to confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
The Lord is referred to the God of peace (in most
cases as a greeting) in Romans 1:7, 15:33, 16:20; 2 Corinthians 1:2, 13:11;
Galations 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2;
Titus 1:4; Philemon 3; Revelation 1:4.
Living in peace with others, to the best of our
ability, is crucially important in our Christian walk. Hebrews 12:14 says to
pursue peace and holiness with all men, which without those things no one will
see the Lord.
Our peace can be multiplied, according to 1 Peter
1:2 and 2 Peter 1:2.
Hebrews 11:31 tells us that in the hall of faith,
Rahab is commended for receiving the spies with peace. And her whole family was
spared. “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not,
when she had received the spies with peace.”
Melchizedek, in Genesis 14 and mentioned again in
Hebrews 7:1-4, was a type of Christ, who had no beginning or ending, and has an
eternal priesthood, from which Jesus is High Priest of the Melchizedek
priesthood. Melchizedek was both a king and priest. He is called the king of
peace (Salem means “peace”), and the king of righteousness. (And Jesus is also
the King of peace and king of righteousness.)
God’s blessings and anointing rests on unity and
being in peace with the brethren.
Psalms 133 says:
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts
of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that
descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the
blessing, even life for evermore.
In the passage of Matthew 10:34-42, Jesus told us
that He did not come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword. What does He
mean by this, since He is the Prince of Peace?
One school of thought is that this passage means
that He will have no other idols above Himself. Verses 38-39 talks about taking
up your cross and following Jesus. Sometimes in family relationships, there is
division because of Jesus.
That’s why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:15 that
light and darkness cannot dwell in unity, and for those who are married to
unbelievers to pursue peace to the best of your ability, but at the same time
to be willing to let them go if they choose to leave, because God has called us
to live in peace.
James said that where there is envy and strife,
there is confusion and every demonic work (James 3:16).
When Jesus ministered to people in His earthly
ministry, He would say, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” After He
ministered to the woman with the issue of blood, He told her to go in peace
(Mark 5:25-34). After the woman anointed His feet with precious oil, He told
her to go in peace (Luke 7:44-50).
Romans 5:1-2 says that we have peace with God by
being justified by faith. “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Romans 14:17 tells us: “For the kingdom of God is
not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Peace and edification go hand in hand. Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things
wherewith one may edify another.”
Romans 15:13 says, “Now the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the
power of the Holy Ghost.” Joy and peace go together.
Jesus pulled down the dividing wall of Jews and
Gentiles, thus making them one body, with Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:14-22 tells us:
14 For He (Jesus) is our peace, who hath made both
one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even
the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of
twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that He might reconcile both unto God in one
body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were
afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through Him we both have access by one
Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit. KJV
Ephesians 4:3 says, “Endeavoring to keep the unity
of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 6:13-18 talks about putting on the armor
of God. Verse 15 says to have your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel
of Peace.
The entire passage says:
Ephesians 6:11-18
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith
ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints. KJV
Isaiah 52:7 is a cross reference to Ephesians 6:15.
It says:
How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!” NKJV
The Gospel is the good news of peace.
Jesus (the Messiah) is called the “Prince of Peace”
in Isaiah 9:6. It says: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of
Peace.” KJV
Isaiah 9:7 says that His peace shall never end.
Jesus’ Messianic coming is 2-fold. Jesus came to
earth the first time as a servant, and to place peace in the HEARTS of people
and make a way by the Cross that we can have peace with the Father. You cannot
have true world peace until people’s hearts are transformed. Jesus will come a
second time to bring peace to this world and will reign in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 33:6 prophesies:
Behold, [in the future restored Jerusalem] I will
lay upon it health and healing, and I will cure them and will reveal to them
the abundance of peace (prosperity, security, stability) and truth. AMP
Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says:
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will
do it.
The phrase “peace like a river” is used two times
in the Old Testament. Isaiah 48:18; Isaiah 66:12.
Psalms 4:8 says, “I will both lay me down in peace,
and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Psalms 29:11 says, “The Lord will give strength
unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”
Psalms 34:14 “Depart from evil, and do good; seek
peace, and pursue it.”
Psalms 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth;
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
Psalms 37:37 “Mark the perfect man, and behold the
upright: for the end of that man is peace.”
Psalms 55:18 “He hath delivered my soul in peace
from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.”
Psalms 72:7 “In his days shall the righteous
flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.”
Peace and righteousness go together. Psalms 85:10
says, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed
each other.” Also see Isaiah 32:17, which says: “And the work of righteousness
shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance
forever.”
Psalms 119:165 says, “Great peace have they which
love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”
The Bible commands us to pray for the peace of
Jerusalem.
Psalms 122:6-9 says: Pray for the peace of
Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and
prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will
now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will
seek thy good.
Psalms 128:6 says, “Yea, thou shalt see thy
children's children, and peace upon Israel.”
Wisdom brings peace. Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son,
forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length of
days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
More is said about how wisdom brings peace to our
lives. Proverbs 3:16-18 tells us: “Length of days is in her right hand; and in
her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her
paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and
happy is every one that retaineth her.”
In James, it says that the wisdom that comes from
above is peaceable, and filled with good fruit (James 3:17).
1 Timothy 2:2 talks about leading a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Hebrews 12:11 says that no discipline seems
pleasant at the time, but it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
Proverbs 11:12 says that a man of understanding, or
wisdom, holds his peace. He is not quarrelsome.
Proverbs 16:7 says that when a man's ways please
the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
If you want peace of mind, then keep your thoughts
on the Lord and His Word. Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Isaiah 26:12 says that God will ordain peace for
us.
Isaiah 54:13 declares, “And all thy children shall
be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
We are led by the Spirit through inward peace, and
we go out in joy (Isaiah 55:12).
Isaiah 57:21 says that there is no peace for those
who are wicked. Their life is always filled with trouble and strife.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 gives us hope:
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have
for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for
evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come
and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require
Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your
heart. AMP
Fruit
of the Spirit - Patience
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, PATIENCE,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” NIV
In other versions, such as the KJV, NKJV and AMP,
the word “longsuffering” is used for patience.
Patience and longsuffering is forbearance and
having an even temper.
Patience is not determined by how long you wait,
but your attitude while waiting.
Patience is linked with rejoicing always, giving
thanks, hope, suffering, tribulation and continual prayer (Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians
5:14-18).
Romans 12:12 tells us to rejoice and exult in hope;
be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.
AMP
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 says,
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are
unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone,
but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus for you. NKJV
We are commanded to be patient with everyone around
us, although that may be difficult at times (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
We are exhorted by Paul to wait in steadfast
patience for the coming of the Lord. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 says, “And the Lord
direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for
Christ.”
James tells us to be patient for the appearing of
the Lord. James 5:7-8 says, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of
the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth,
and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be
ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth
nigh.” KJV
A bishop must be a very patient individual to meet
the qualifications for the office of the bishop (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
In 2 Timothy 2:24-25, the servant of the Lord must
not strive (get into heated debates); but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach,
patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. KJV
The Apostle Paul was a very patient and meek man (2
Corinthians 6:3-10, 12:12). This passage shows the marks of true apostles.
Jesus and the Father are our ultimate examples of
showing us patience and kindness. When we have sin in our lives they are very
patient with us, desiring to work with us to help us overcome and repent.
Jesus was very patient with mankind when He went to
the Cross. He endured all the mockery, the shame, the unfair trial, the
beatings, scourging, the abuse, the crucifixion so that we could have eternal
life.
Love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4).
The words “patient” or “longsuffering” in 1
Corinthians 13:4 (and 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and James 5:7-8) is the Greek word
makrothumeo (NT:3114). It is defined as to be long-spirited; forbearance; long
enduring temper.
Other Greek words for “patient” and “longsuffering”
include:
1. anexikakos (NT:420) =
enduring of ill; forbearance (2 Timothy 2:24)
2. epieikes (NT:1933) = mild,
gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)
3. makrothumia (NT:3115) =
longanimity, forbearance, fortitude (Hebrews 6:12 and James 5:10)
4. hupomeno (NT:5278) = to
stay under; to undergo; bear trials; have fortitude; persevere (Romans 12:12)
5. hupomone (NT:5281) =
cheerful (or hopeful) endurance; constancy; patient continuance (waiting)
(Romans 2:7, 1 Timothy 6:11, Hebrews 10:36, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:3)
Patience is associated with kindness (to be mild
and gentle).
Patience is associated with cheerful and hopeful
endurance and constancy.
When the soil of our heart is good ground, then we
will bear fruit with patience. “But the ones that fell on the good ground are
those who, having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear
fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).
By your patience possess your souls (Luke 21:19).
NKJV
Romans 5:3-5 says, “And not only so, but we glory
in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience,
experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love
of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
KJV
Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for that we see not,
then do we with patience wait for it.” KJV
Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope.” KJV
Patience and consolation are linked together
(Romans 15:5).
In Colossians 1:11, patience, longsuffering and
joyfulness is interconnected.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, it refers to the patience
one must have to be in the ministry. There were those who were commended for
being patient during persecutions (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:10-12).
Patience is mentioned along with love, faith,
righteousness, godliness and meekness (1 Timothy 6:11).
In Titus 2:2, the older men are to be examples to
the younger generation of those who walk in patience.
Hebrews 6:12 says, “That ye be not slothful, but
followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” KJV
Faith and patience are power twins. They function
together.
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which
hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35-36
(KJV)
It takes patience on our part to receive all of the
promises of God. It takes more than faith alone to receive your promises. It
involves faith AND patience working together.
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience
the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith. KJV
James 1:3-4 says, “Be assured and understand that
the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and
patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and
do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed
[with no defects], lacking in nothing.” AMP
Job was one of the most patient men alive, and he
came out of his trial with twice as much as he had before. James 5:11 says,
“You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured].
You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord's [purpose
and how He richly blessed him in the] end, inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity
and compassion and tenderness and mercy.” AMP
2 Peter 1:5-9 refers to the nine (9) Graces of the
Spirit filled life:
1. Put on diligence
2. Develop faith
3. Develop virtue
4. Develop knowledge
5. Develop self-control
6. Develop patience
7. Develop godliness
8. Develop brotherly affection
9. Develop Christian love
In Revelation 1:9, John the Beloved endured
persecutions with patience.
In the letter to the Church of Ephesus in
Revelation 2:2-3, they were commended for their patience and endurance.
In the letter to the Church of Thyatira in
Revelation 2:19, they were commended for their patience, service and faith.
In the letter to the Church of Philadelphia in
Revelation 3:10, they were commended for their patience and perseverance, and
were given a promise to be kept from the hour of trial which shall come upon
the whole world.
In Revelation 13:10 and 14:12, it talks about the
patience and faith of the saints. Some would be martyrs.
Romans 2:4 says that God is longsuffering towards
us … “Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and
longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?” KJV
We are to walk with all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 KJV
Colossians 3:12-15 tells us:
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one
another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so
also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which
is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to
the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. KJV
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.” KJV
During the days of Noah, while the Ark was being
prepared, God demonstrated longsuffering towards that generation for hundreds
of years before the flood finally came. The door to the Gospel is opened right
now and God has issued everyone an invitation to be saved. A time will come,
though, when that window will be closed. Today is the day of salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 “The lord is not slack concerning His
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Greek Theologian, Rick Renner, says that
longsuffering is patient restraint of anger.
Rick Renner also says that other possible
interpretive translations of the Greek word makrothumia in First
Corinthians 13:4 could include:
“Love is not short-tempered or easily
angered.…”
“Love does not quickly blow its top, but it
is patient as it waits for others.…”
“Love is not irritable and impatient but is
willing to wait a long time for someone to change.…”
“Love is determined to wait until the other
person finally comes around….”
“Love passionately burns for others and is
willing to wait as long as is necessary.…”
Makrothumia is the equivalent of our
English idiom “having a long fuse”; a patient person can take a lot of
provocation before reacting.
As the phrase “fruit of the Spirit” implies, we can
only have patience when the Holy Spirit works through us.
You need to walk in joy because joy keeps your
attitude straight while you exercise your patience. You need to walk in peace
in order to walk in patience because you are trusting God to come through for
you and the measure of your peace is the measure of your trust. You can be
patient because your trust is in God who answers prayer and delivers you from all
tribulations.
“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow
to anger and great in mercy” (Psalms 145:8). That’s the way He expects us
to be!
“He who is slow to wrath has great
understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29).
“A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger
allays contention” (Proverbs 15:18). “The discretion of a man makes him slow
to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression” (Proverbs
19:11).
Impatience, annoyance, anger, intolerance, worry,
fear, and distrust are the opposites of patience. These prevent us from seeing,
as our Lord wants us to see, that all things will work for His good in the end
(Romans 8:28).
Patience will allow us to manage anger and
problems, and to wait on God's timing. Patience will allow us to forgive
(Romans 5:8), as Christ forgave us and has patience with us. Patience will
allow us to endure and go on, even when we do not feel like it.
Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and form
you in His time, into His likeness.
Perseverance is patience in action.
Patience is essentially “waiting with grace.”
Patience is waiting quietly.
Patience is waiting eagerly.
Patience is waiting until
the end.
Patience is waiting expectantly.
Patience is waiting joyfully.
Every God-given vision will become real if we will
only have patience.
It’s in the valley that we tend to give up and
faint. “But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall
walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Patience keeps you steady until the answer from God
comes.
We know from Philippians 1:6 that God will finish
what he starts. And the Psalmist encourages us to keep asking God for our
request even while we’re waiting for Him to bring it about.
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4). The word perfect here
means “mature.” So, the trying of your faith “worketh patience” that you may be
mature, entire, wanting or lacking not a thing. Wouldn't you like to be mature
in the Lord, entire, lacking not a thing? In order to come to that place, you
must learn something about Bible patience. Keith Butler
What does the word patience in the Bible mean? It
means “to be steadfast, to be unmovable.” Another definition of patience is “to
remain constant.” The Lord says that “the trying of your faith worketh
patience.” Keith Butler
Along with faith, we should follow after
righteousness, which means right standing with God; godliness, or being
God-like; love, patience and meekness. Keith Butler
The power of patience is a working power. When
faith has a tendency to waver, it is patience that comes to faith's aid to make
it stand. The power of patience is necessary to undergird faith. Kenneth
Copeland
Almost everywhere you find faith mentioned in the
Bible, you also find patience. Faith and patience are the power twins. Together
they will produce every time. Patience without faith has no power to call into
reality the thing desired. Faith is the substance of things we hope for.
Patience without faith has no substance. Kenneth Copeland
On the other hand, faith without patience many
times will fail to stand firm on the evidence of the Word that gives deed to
things not seen. Jesus told Peter that he had prayed for him that his faith
fail not. Without the power of patience at work, we will allow sensory
knowledge—the things we see—to overwhelm our faith. Kenneth Copeland
Patience undergirds faith and gives it endurance to
persevere until the answer comes. Faith is a powerful force. It always works.
It is not that our faith is weak and needs strength, but without the power of
patience we ourselves stop the force of faith from working with negative
confession and action. It is our faith, and we can put it into action. It is
our faith, and we can stop it from working. Kenneth Copeland
Faith is a force that is to be developed. The same
scripture says that we are to be sound in faith. Patience and faith are two
individual forces. They work together the way faith and love work together. All
of these are different forces. They each play a different role in our Christian
lives. Kenneth Copeland
It is dangerous to confuse these forces and try to
use one in the place of the other. For instance, the Bible says in Hebrews 11:1
that faith is the substance of things hoped for. Hope without faith has no
substance. People say, “We are hoping and praying.” This sounds good but it has
no substance. In this case, hope is being confused with faith. Without the
substance of faith that kind of praying will not produce any results. Kenneth
Copeland
One of the most common traditions and mistakes in
this area of believing is that trials and tribulations develop faith. Trials
and tribulations do not develop faith...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the Word of God. Kenneth Copeland
Trials and tribulations develop patience. We have
already learned from James Chapter 1 that this is true. The Apostle Paul says the
same thing in Romans 5:3, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” Kenneth Copeland
Faith is developed as we act on the Word of God.
Hebrews 12:2 states that Jesus is the Author and Finisher, or Developer of our
faith. It does not say that Satan is the developer of our faith. Kenneth
Copeland
It is vitally important that we realize the
difference between the developing of faith and developing of patience. Faith
should be developed on the Word of God before the trial or testing comes.
Kenneth Copeland
Jesus said in Luke 6:47 that if a man acts on His
words, he likened him unto a man who builds his house on a rock. When the flood
beat upon the house, the house did not fall. Notice the man had to dig deep.
This is where his faith was developed. During the storm is when his patience
was developed. He knew his house would stand because it was built on rock.
Kenneth Copeland
Remember how Jesus said the man built on that rock?
He acted on the Word. Faith is developed before the trial comes. The force of
patience is developed in the trial or tribulation and undergirds or keeps the
door open for our faith to work and to overcome whatever has been put before
us. Kenneth Copeland
The definition of patience is being constant or
being the same way at all times. James says in Chapter 1 that we are to be
single-minded. We must always respond or react in every circumstance of life
the same way—on the Word of God. Kenneth Copeland
Regardless of what may be thrown at us, we must
become so Word-of-God minded that we do not act in fear or doubt but always act
on whatever the Word of our God says. Kenneth Copeland
Patience undergirds and sustains faith until the
result is manifest. After you have meditated on the promises of God and have
them in your spirit, patience will encourage you to hold steady. Gloria
Copeland
Patience is power. It has the courage to refuse the
lie of Satan that says the Word is not working for you. It knows that God’s
Word has never failed. Patience will not draw back in fear but will press
forward in faith until you have the answer. Gloria Copeland
When the results of your faith seem slow in coming,
don’t give up! Continue to put the Word first, with patience, and you will surely
receive the promise of God! Gloria Copeland
“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the
morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalms 5:3).
Fruit of
the Spirit - Kindness
There are three main Greek words for kindness (chrestotes,
chrestos, and philadelphia):
NT:5544 chrestotes (khray-stot'-ace); from NT:5543
1.
It is defined as usefulness, i.e.
moral excellence (in character or demeanor). Translated in the KJV as
gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.
2.
NT:5543; chrestos is derived from
NT:5530 chraomai (khrah'-om-ahee).
Chrestos is defined as: employed, i.e. (by
implication) useful (in manner or morals): KJV - better, easy, good (-ness),
gracious, kind.
Kindness is such an excellent quality to possess,
because it means you are qualified and worthy of being employed for moral
excellence and manners. This quality is very useful for life. It will open
doors and take you a lot of places.
3.
NT:5360 philadelphia
(fil-ad-el-fee'-ah); from NT:5361; fraternal affection: KJV - brotherly love
(kindness), love of the brethren.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit—the
resulting character of someone who is allowing the Holy Spirit to develop
maturity in his or her life. The fifth characteristic, kindness, is called
“gentleness” in the KJV.
Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of
disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, affability. The
word describes the ability to act for
the welfare of those taxing your patience. The Holy Spirit removes
abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control.
Greek Scholar Rick Renner has noted that when the
word chrestotes is applied to interpersonal relationships, it conveys
the idea of being adaptable to others. Rather than harshly require everyone
else to adapt to his own needs and desires, when chrestotes is working
in a believer, he seeks to become adaptable to the needs of those who are
around him. (Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner)
Kindness is associated with love, goodness, mercy,
graciousness, gentleness, usefulness, thoughtfulness and being sensitive to the
needs and feelings of others around you.
The opposite of kindness is cruelty, meanness,
rudeness, sharpness, abuse, harshness, brutality, malice, spitefulness,
vindictiveness, mercilessness, viciousness, ruthlessness and callousness. All
of these negative traits are works of the flesh, and are wicked in God’s sight.
Kindness is a spiritual law (Proverbs 31:26).
The law of kindness is on the tongue of the
virtuous person. Kindness involves not only your actions, but the words that
come out of your mouth, and the tone of voice used. Kindness is very careful in
what you say and how you say it, so as to not purposely offend or hurt someone
else, or stir up wrath.
Kindness is associated with wisdom, because it
takes wisdom to know the right words to speak in season to those who are weary
and need encouragement.
One of the traits the virtuous woman is known for
is her wisdom, as well as the law of kindness coming from her lips.
Love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love is the
highest law. One of the marks of walking in the love of God is by the kindness
you show to others.
To walk in love is to also dwell in light and have
life. The opposite is true if you do not walk in love. The result will be
dwelling in darkness and death of some type. When there is a lack of kindness
demonstrated in a relationship, it brings death to the relationship.
To be kind to others is to be helpful.
Kindness is involved with benevolence and charity
for humanity. Kind-hearted people are very generous with their finances and
resources to help mankind.
Kindness is linked to compassion and sympathy.
Kindness is thoughtfulness.
Kindness is showing consideration and courtesy.
Kindness is showing regard for others.
Kindness is necessary for showing diplomacy.
Kindness is demonstrating good manners and being
polite.
Kindness is showing patience.
Kindness knows how to manage anger and direct it in
the right way, so as to not say damaging things to others in a fit of rage.
Kind people know how to build others up. They live
by the three E’s: Edify others, Esteem others, and Encourage others.
Kind people are also sweet people.
Kind people show respect to others, as well as
reverence the Lord.
Kind individuals demonstrate a spirit of humility.
Kind people are more soft-hearted.
To show kindness to someone else is to show favor.
It is especially noble of a kind person to show favor to an inferior, by
stooping down to help raise him or her up.
The Lord is known, in Nehemiah 9:17, as a God ready
to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and who
forsakes not.
Psalms 117:2a says, “For His merciful kindness is
great toward us.”
Isaiah 54:8 says that God’s kindness and mercy is
everlasting.
Isaiah 54:10 says, “For the mountains shall depart
and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall
My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
Colossians 3:12-15 states: “Therefore, as the elect
of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness,
longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone
has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must
do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in
one body; and be thankful.”
Titus 3:4-7 says, “But when the kindness and the
love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which
we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us
abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His
grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Ephesians 4:29-32 says, “Let no corrupt word
proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it
may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath,
anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be
kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in
Christ forgave you.
2 Peter 1:5-10 lists the nine Graces of the Holy
Spirit:
1.
Diligence
2.
Faith
3.
Virtue
4.
Knowledge
5.
Self-control
6.
Perseverance
7.
Godliness
8.
Brotherly kindness
9.
Love
2 Peter 1:8-10 “For if these things (9 Graces of
the Holy Spirit) are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these
things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was
cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make
your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never
stumble.” NKJV
You can be kind to someone without having to agree
on everything.
Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant (kind) words are
like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” NKJV
Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft (kind) answer turns
away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
To display kindness to others is to show them
honor.
Kindness means to follow the Golden Rule. Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12).
Kindness means to treat others the way God has
treated you. He has shown you mercy and kindness your whole life.
If you want to have good relationships, then
cultivate kindness in your life.
Joy is linked with the fruit of kindness. When
kindness is demonstrated in relationships, it brings joy to the relationship.
Also, when you’ve done a kind deed, the joy of the Lord fills your soul.
Proverbs 20:28 describes qualities God wants in a
leader: “Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he
upholds his throne.”
Kindness is based on the mind-set described in
Philippians 2:3-4: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each
of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others.”
Kindness is humbly giving of ourselves in love and
mercy to others who may not be able to give anything back, who sometimes don’t
deserve it, and who frequently don’t thank us for it.
Kindness means a way of thinking that leads to
doing thoughtful deeds for others.
Kindness when speaking to others means to be
soft-spoken rather than harsh.
Proverbs 19:22a states: “What is desired in a man
is kindness.” Why? Why would God consider this trait so important? It is
because God knows that if we follow His ways of being and doing things, then
happiness, joy and true fulfillment will come to our lives. God wants us to
become like Him.
Kindness is not selfish, but is sacrificial in
helping others.
Some examples of kindness include: giving people
compliments (not flattery) and meaning it with your heart; open doors for
someone; smile; say hello; help carry something for someone; mowing someone’s
lawn who is ill or elderly; sit and talk with people who do not want to be
alone; cook someone dinner; giving to a person in need; changing someone’s flat
tire.
An act of kindness lifts people’s burdens.
Dr. Barry Corey says this of kindness: “It’s the
natural outcome of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. We exhale kindness
after we inhale what’s been breathed into us by the Spirit.”
Worldly niceness glosses over sin, but the kindness
of God leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).
People have seasons in their lives when they are
facing battles and they need individuals in their life who will be kind, good
and gentle to them.
Plant seeds of kindness and you will reap a
spiritual harvest of blessings.
Kindness is contagious. Be a carrier, and spread
kindness everywhere you go.
No matter how small or big the act of kindness may
be, it makes a HUGE difference in the person or people who received your act of
kindness, in the environment you live, your workplace, and every place you are
involved.
Don’t take for granted the everyday blessings from
God. For example, your health, your children, your pets, your job, your home, a
sunny clear day, beautiful flowers, good cuisine, money in the bank, your
salvation (which is the most important thing) and other kindnesses from God.
Kindness is associated with the wisdom that is from
above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and
good fruits (James 3:17).
Joseph is a great example of kindness, goodness,
and reconciliation. It was in his power to take revenge on his brothers, but
goodness and kindness won out.
Kind words proceed from a pure and good heart.
Jesus received the tongue of the learned from His Father so He could refresh
the weary with His Word (Isaiah 50:4). Such tongues are in great demand for
helping and comforting. Kind words are precious.
King David said that God’s gentleness (kindness)
has made him great (Psalms 18:35).
Kindness is the characteristic that led God to
provide salvation for all of mankind—that’s us (Titus 3:4-5; Romans 2:4,
11:22).
Kindness leads God to give us green pastures, quiet
waters, and the restoration of our souls when we're weary (Psalm 23:2-3).
It is God's tender care that makes Him want to
gather us under His wings, to protect us and keep us close to Him (Psalm 17:8,
36:7, 61:4; Matthew 23:37).
God expressed kindness when He provided for Elijah
and the widow of Zarephath during a drought—and He showed more kindness later
when He raised the widow's only son from the dead (1 Kings 17:8-24).
When Sarah exiled Hagar and Ishmael, God gave the
outcasts kindness in the form of water and hope (Genesis 21:9-21).
On multiple occasions, kindness induced Jesus to
stop what He was doing and help others in need (Mark 6:34, 7:29, 10:46-52).
Kindness leads the Good Shepherd to rescue us when
we stray (Luke 15:3-7). In kindness He “gathers the lambs in His arms and
carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah
40:11).
When we exhibit the kindness of God, we are tender,
benevolent, and useful to others.
Every kind action, and every kind word will have
the flavor of grace in it.
Kindness has the power to soften hearts.
It's especially important for kindness to be
accompanied by goodness. That's because kindness without goodness can become
tolerant of sin — just as goodness without kindness can be harsh and
legalistic. We show the fruit of the Spirit only as we develop these qualities
together.
Boaz is an example of a person who showed
tremendous kindness to both Ruth and Naomi. He married Ruth and redeemed her
out of poverty and childlessness, and he provided for Naomi for the rest of her
life.
The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 was a very kind
person who displayed compassion. He also used his own resources to help the
person.
The quality of kindness will go hand in hand with
the quality of love. Once the Holy Spirit starts to transmit His love into you,
the quality of kindness will follow right along with it. It will then become
much easier for you to be able to be kind to others once the love of God starts
to flow more into your personality.
You cannot help but be more kind to others if God’s
love is flowing through you. This is why the quality of love has to be the main
quality that you really concentrate on getting more of from the Holy Spirit.
Once the love of God starts to flow and operate through you to touch others,
many of the other fruits of the Holy Spirit will then start to follow right
after it in domino fashion.
In 2 Samuel 9:7, David said to Mephibosheth, “Do
not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake,
and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall
eat bread at my table continually.” David and Jonathan were best friends, and
Jonathan was killed in battle along with King Saul. When David became king, he
sought out to show kindness to Jonathan’s offspring.
This
world is full of harshness. This world is full of unkindness. When people
experience a kind gesture,
they are refreshed by it, and they are recharged by it. Philemon 7 says, “For I
have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because
the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and
refreshed through you, [my] brother” (AMP). Philemon showered the brethren with
kindness and, by so doing, he had a refreshing and a restoring effect.
Kindness is compassion in action.
Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of
others; goodness is the activity calculated to advance that happiness. Kindness
is the inner disposition, created by the Holy Spirit, that causes us to be
sensitive to the needs of others, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.
Goodness is kindness in action—words and deeds.
Kindness is gentle and mild, and not harsh.
God’s kindness draws us toward Him. His love, care,
and grace makes us want to be around Him more. And when we’re around Him more,
we will understand our need for Him.
As we allow the Holy Spirit to grow more of His
kindness and goodness in our lives, we will draw others to want to know this
kind and gracious God.
We imitate God’s kindness by loving our enemies.
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in
return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High,
for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” (Luke 6:35). Our kindness
reflects the heart of our Father. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless.
Mother Teresa
Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Mark Twain
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will
be too late. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt,
kindness could cause misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.
Albert Schweitzer
You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Father of Kirk
H. Neely
Kind people have no guile in their heart, or ulterior motives. They have
a pure heart, and the Bible promises that the pure in heart shall see God
(Matthew 5:8).
Are your words kind (gentle), or do they have a
sharpness?
In kindness, there is no slander.
Kindness is a matter of building up, not tearing
down others.
Kindness has a ripple effect. When one person is
kind, kindness tends to pass forward to others.
Being kind to others is one way we express our
devotion to Christ. In Matthew 25, in the parable of the Last Judgment, Jesus
said that we are to give to those who are hungry, to those who are thirsty, to
those who are strangers, to those who are naked, to those who are sick, to
those who are in prison. Then he adds, “As much as you did it unto the least of
these, My brethren, you did it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40).
Perhaps the greatest expression of our kindness is
being willing to forgive others.
When we are kind to our enemies, it is like heaping
burning coals on their head (Romans 12:20).
Kindness has pure intentions.
Kindness is given freely.
Kindness leaves a lasting legacy.
Fruit of
the Spirit - Goodness
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But when the Holy Spirit
controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, GOODNESS,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
The Webster’s Dictionary definition for goodness
is:
1.
The state or quality of being
good
2.
Moral excellence; virtue
3.
Kindly feeling, kindness,
generosity, joy in being good
4.
The best part of anything;
Essence; Strength
5.
General character recognized in
quality or conduct
Greek words for “good” include:
1.
Agathos (Strong’s #18) = “good”
in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect; (a) it is used
of things physical, e.g., a tree, Matthew 7:17; ground, Luke 8:8; (b) in a
moral sense, frequently of persons and things. God is essentially, absolutely
and consummately “good”.
2.
Kalos (Strong’s #2570) = denotes
that which is intrinsically “good”, and so, “goodly, fair, beautiful,” as (a)
of that which is well adapted to its circumstances or ends, e.g., fruit,
Matthew 3:10; a tree, 12:33; ground, 13:8,23; fish, 13:48; the Law, Romans
7:16; 1 Timothy 1:8; every creature of God, 1 Timothy 4:4; a faithful minister
of Christ and the doctrine he teaches, 4:6; (b) of that which is ethically
good, right, noble, honorable.
3.
Chrestos (Strong’s #5543) = That
which is pleasant, kindly, gracious, good.
4.
Chrestotes (Strong’s #5544) =
Denotes “goodness” in the sense of what is upright, righteous, kindness of
heart or act, gentleness, goodness expressing itself through actions, grace,
tenderness, compassion. This Greek word does not express God’s severity when it
comes to His goodness.
5.
Agathosune (Strong’s #19) =
Goodness expressed more from Christ’s sterner qualities and hatred of evil,
such as cleansing the temple.
A good person is not only kind and compassionate,
but also has an intolerance for sin and evil (and may thus come across as
stern).
King Hezekiah is an example of the fruit of
goodness. When he took the throne in Judah, the temple of God was in disrepair,
and idols were set up across the land. So Hezekiah made things right:
he reinstated the priests of God (2 Chronicles
29:5); he brought people from all Israel to celebrate Passover (2 Chronicles
30:5); he removed the idols (2 Chronicles 31:1). The Bible says that Hezekiah
“did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God,” and everything he
did, “he did with all his heart and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:20–21). This is
goodness: understanding what is right and making it happen.
Goodness speaks to our character and the desire to
be more like God. The word “goodness” means to be like God. As we remain in
Christ, and the fruit of kindness continues to grow in us, our nature will
change more and more to look like Jesus. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the
desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
The Bible talks about the goodness of God as part
of His character. It’s not something He does; it’s who He is. As we continue to
become new creations, becoming more like Christ, goodness can become more of a
character trait in us, too.
Instead of being motivated to do good because we
want accolades or rewards, we do good because we’ve allowed God to change our
hearts. We choose obedience to God and bring honor to him. We choose to be kind
and to serve others because we understand all that God has given to us. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 says, “So we
keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of
His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your
faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored
because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with Him. This is
all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Goodness is a heartfelt, moral quality of desiring
and being of benefit to others according to God's will. It is a moral quality
because goodness can have no part in any kind of evil. Thus, its motivations
and actions must be morally pure. Goodness must be good.
Kindness is a category and demonstration of
goodness. It is goodness without any harshness only gentleness, while goodness
itself is the larger quality and behavior and encompasses both the ability to
be soft and kind, as well as, the ability to be tough, stern, and firm when
good calls for it. For example, we see Christ's goodness in His sternness when
cleansing the temple and denouncing of scribes and Pharisees because God's good
purpose was best served by confronting these evils. The moral nature of God which
revealed in His moral law defines the standard of goodness.
Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good:
blessed is the man that trusts in him.”
God’s goodness is His Glory. Exodus 33:19 “And he
said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the
Name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,
and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”
Exodus 34:6-7 tells us: “And the Lord passed by
before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious,
longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands,
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear
the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon
the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”
2 Chronicles 6:41 talks about the saints rejoicing
in God’s goodness. “Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place,
thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with
salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.”
Psalms 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
As we patiently wait on God, we see God’s goodness
in our lives. Psalms 27:13-14 says, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to
see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of
good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”
Psalms 31:19 “Oh how great is Thy goodness, which
Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them
that trust in Thee before the sons of men!”
Psalms 65:4 “Blessed is the man You choose, and
cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied
with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.”
God demonstrates His goodness by revealing Himself
to us as Provider and bringing prosperity into our lives. Psalms 65:11 “You
crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”
Psalms 107:8-9 “Oh, that men would give thanks to
the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
Jeremiah 31:12 “Therefore they shall come and sing
in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord — for wheat (Word
of God) and new wine (Joy) and oil (Anointing), for the young of the flock and
the herd (milk and meat of the Word); their souls shall be like a well-watered
garden (satiated with His Presence, rivers of living water flowing), and they
shall sorrow no more at all.”
Jeremiah 31:14 “I will satiate the soul of the
priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says
the Lord.”
The goodness of God leads us to repentance. Romans
2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and
longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
Romans 11:22 “Notice how God is both kind and
severe. He is very hard on those who disobey, but very good to you if you
continue to love and trust Him.” TLB
During creation in Genesis, God sees that all He
made was very good.
Psalms 37:3-5 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so
shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself
also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy
way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”
Psalms 37:23-24 “The steps of a good man are
ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not
be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Psalms 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those
who walk uprightly.”
Psalms 86:5 “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to
forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
Psalms 100:4-5 “Enter into His gates with
thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless
His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures
to all generations.”
Psalms 103:2-5
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender
mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalms 107:1-2 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is
good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”
Psalms 112:5-6 “A good man deals graciously and
lends; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be
shaken.”
Psalms 133
33 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing —
Life forevermore.
Psalms 135:3 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is
good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.”
Psalms 145:9 “The Lord is good to all, and His
tender mercies are over all His works.”
Psalms 147:1 “Praise the Lord! For it is good to
sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.”
Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those to
whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”
Proverbs 12:2 “A good man obtains favor from the
Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.”
Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to
his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the
righteous.”
Proverbs 15:23 “A man finds joy in giving an apt
reply — and how good is a timely word!” NIV
Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the
heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” NIV
Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” NIV
Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds what is
good and receives favor from the Lord.” NIV
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is more desirable than
great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. NIV
Proverbs 25:25 “Like cold water to a weary soul is
good news from a distant land.” NIV
Proverbs 31:10-12
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. NIV
Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on
me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” NIV
Lamentations 3:25-26 “The Lord is good to those
whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for
the salvation of the Lord.” NIV
Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine
before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven.”
Matthew 5:44-45 “But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in
heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on
the righteous and the unrighteous.” NIV
Matthew 7:9-12
9 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will
give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give
good gifts to those who ask him!
12 So in everything, do to others what you would
have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV
Matthew 7:17-20
17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a
bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad
tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
NIV
Matthew 12:35-37
35 The good man brings good things out of the good
stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up
in him.
36 But I tell you that men will have to give
account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by
your words you will be condemned. NIV
The seed is the Word of God. The Bible talks about
the condition of people’s heart (or ground or soil). For those who have good
soil, the Word produces in their lives (at least 30-fold, but then up to
100-fold). Matthew 13:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced
a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” NIV
In the parable of the talents given to each servant
(according to their ability), the ones who were given 5 and 10 invested the
talents and came back with even more talents. They were commended as being good
and faithful servants. This parable speaks to our lives today. At the end of
our life we should have more talents than when we first began. We want to hear
the Master say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23 “His
master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your
Master's happiness!’”
In Acts 11:24, Barnabas was a good man, full of the
Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
He mentored Paul after he was converted.
Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.” NIV
Romans 15:2 “Each of us should please his neighbor
for his good, to build him up.” NIV
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do.” NIV
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he
who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of
Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is
true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —
think about such things.” NIV
Colossians 1:10 “That you may walk worthy of the
Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in
the knowledge of God.” NKJV
In 1 Timothy 1:19, it mentions having a good
conscience before God. Also see Hebrews 13:18 and 1 Peter 3:16.
In 1 Timothy 6:12, it says to fight the good fight
of faith. This is a good kind of fight. In 2 Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul said
that he had fought the good fight of faith, and that he had completed his race.
In Titus 2:14, we are to be zealous of good works.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. For by faith, the elders obtained a good report,
and so do we. Hebrews 11:1-2
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variation or shadow of turning.” NKJV
There are individual sins, according to James 4:17.
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
Fruit of
the Spirit - Faithfulness
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.” NKJV
The Greek word for “faithful” or “faithfulness” is pistos (Strong’s #4103). It is defined
as: trustworthy, trustful, believing, sure, true. The word pistos is derived
from the Greek word peitho (Strong’s #3982), which means “to convince by
argument, to assent to evidence or authority, to rely on by inward certainty.”
The King James Version uses the word “faith” in
Galations 5:22-23 rather than faithfulness. The Greek word for “faith” is pistis (Strong’s #4102). The definition
includes: from NT:3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of
religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially
reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession;
by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself. Also, translated
as fidelity, assurance, belief, believe.
1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, He
(Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
In Revelation 1:5 Jesus is called the “Faithful
Witness”, and in Revelation 3:14 He is called the “Faithful and True Witness”.
In Revelation 19:11, He that sat upon the white
horse is called “Faithful and True”, and a few verses later it reveals that
Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and the Faithful and True is Him.
In the parable of the talents, we are admonished to
be like those who invested and multiplied their talents and presented it to the
Master at the end of their lives on earth, and received rewards.
Matthew 25:21 says, “His Lord said unto him, Well
done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few
things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy
Lord.”
He that is faithful in that which is least is
faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in
much. Luke 16:10
If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who
will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with
other people's money, why should you be entrusted with money of your own? Luke
16:11-12
Luke 19:16-17 is about the man who was given
talents, and he invested and gained even more talents. The first man reported a
tremendous gain-ten times as much as the original amount! “Fine!” the king
exclaimed. “You are a good man. You have been faithful with the little I
entrusted to you, and as your reward, you shall be governor of ten cities.” TLB
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the
fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
Timothy was Paul’s beloved and faithful son in the
Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:17
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has
overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Galatians 3:9 says, “So then they which be of faith
are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
Tychicus was a beloved brother and faithful
minister in the Lord in the early church. Ephesians 6:21
Others in the early church who were noted as being
faithful servants include the brethren at Colosse; Epaphras; Onesimus and
Sylvanus. Colossians 1:2,7; 4:7,9; 1 Peter 5:12
1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He Who is
calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it
[fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].” AMP
2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “Yet the Lord is
faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and
guard you from the evil [one].” AMP The
KJV says that He will stablish you.
God places people into the ministry who He counts
as faithful (1 Timothy 1:12).
1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying and
worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, of whom I am chief.”
1 Timothy 3:11 tells us that deacons’ wives must be
reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. NKJV
2 Timothy 2:2 mentions that those apt to teach are
faithful ministers.
2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, He
remains faithful.”
A bishop must have faithful children, not accused
of dissipation or insubordination. Titus 1:5-9
The Word of God is considered to be faithful, and
has the power to transform people. Titus 1:9
Hebrews 2:17-18 “Therefore, in all things He had to
be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest
in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who
are tempted.”
Hebrews 3:1-6
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the
heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession,
Christ Jesus,
2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as
Moses also was faithful in all His house.
3 For this One has been counted worthy of more
glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the
house.
4 For every house is built by someone, but He who
built all things is God.
5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as
a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken
afterward,
6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose
house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm
to the end.
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of
our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 11:11 “By faith Sarah herself also received
strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age,
because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
God is faithful to keep His covenant and to fulfill
all of His promises in our lives. We just have to believe and receive.
In 1 Peter 4:19 God is called a faithful Creator.
God will give the crown of life to those who are
faithful until death. Revelation 2:10
In Revelation 2:13 Antipas was noted as a faithful
martyr.
Revelation 17:14 “These will make war with the
Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of
kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are
true and faithful.”
Numbers 12:6-8
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a
prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and
will speak unto him in a dream.
7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in
all mine house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even
apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he
behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Know therefore that the Lord
thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with
them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.”
Samuel was considered to be a faithful priest, and
obedient to the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:35.
David was considered to be faithful and favored in
all of Saul’s house. 1 Samuel 22:14
Nehemiah gave the charge of Jerusalem to his
brother Hanani, and to Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for Hananiah was a
faithful man and feared God more than many. Nehemiah 7:2
Nehemiah appointed treasurers who were faithful
men. Nehemiah 13:13
Psalms 31:23 says, “For the Lord preserves the
faithful.”
Psalms 89:37 calls the moon “the faithful witness
in the sky”.
God’s eyes are upon the faithful of the land.
Psalms 101:6
All of the Lord’s commands and testimonies are
faithful. Psalms 119:86,138
Proverbs 11:13 tells us: “A talebearer reveals secrets,
but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”
Proverbs 13:17 says, “A wicked messenger falls into
trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health.”
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false
witness will utter lies. Proverbs 14:5
Faithful people are rare treasures. Proverbs 20:6
says, “Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a
faithful man who can find?”
Proverbs 25:13 says, “Like the cold of snow
[brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger
to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.”
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses
of an enemy are lavish and deceitful. Proverbs 27:6
A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he
who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished. Proverbs
28:20
In Isaiah 1:26, Jerusalem is called “the city of
righteousness” and “the faithful city”.
Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your
faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalms 36:5
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. Psalms
89:1
The Lord shall be praised in the congregation of
the saints for His faithfulness. Psalms 89:5
The Lord’s lovingkindness is with us every morning,
and His faithfulness at night. Psalms 92:2
The Lord’s faithfulness is for all generations.
Psalms 119:90
Lamentations 3:21-23 says:
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Faithfulness comes from a place of trust and
loyalty.
Faithfulness is trustworthiness and reliability.
If referring to the faithfulness of God or Jesus,
it refers to steadfastness, honesty, firmness, and God's utter dependability
based on His unchanging character. If we mean human faithfulness, it refers to
our steady allegiance to God and our trust in Him.
Pastor Kris Belfils says the following about
faithfulness:
“A faithful person knows what God has put in their heart, and even though many times they
feel like quitting, they don’t give up.
A faithful person is committed to doing whatever God tells them to do no matter what it
costs them personally.
A faithful person sees something all the way through to the end.
A faithful person understands that no matter where they may go to church they won’t like
everything that happens. Stay where God has placed you. The way we grow is to
stay planted in one place.
A faithful person arrives at their commitments early or at least on time. A foolish
person is constantly late.
A faithful person is someone we can depend on – someone who shows up where they say they
will be at the time they say they will be there, someone whom you can count on
to do something they say they will do for you. Be a faithful person!
If you want to be used by God, or if you are being
used by God and want to be used by God in a greater way, then always remember
this: God only promotes faithful men and women. God promotes those who have
proven themselves to be faithful. Then, when you prove yourself to be faithful
in one area or level, God will promote you to another level.”
Fruit of
the Spirit - Meekness
There are two Greek words for meekness (praiotes
and prautes):
NT:4236 praiotes (prah-ot'-ace); from NT:4235;
gentleness, by implication, humility.
NT:4240 prautes (prah-oo'-tace); from NT:4239;
mildness, i.e. (by implication) humility.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines meek as:
·
Enduring injury with patience and
without resentment.
·
Submissive
·
Not violent
Meekness is not weakness, but strength under
control.
Meekness also is stated in the Thesaurus as:
modest, compliant, quiet, lowly, tame, disciplined, cultivated, friendly, approachable,
obedient, peaceful, refined, educated, developed, sophisticated, cultured,
nurturer, encourager, helper, plowed (soft and pliable heart, stony heart
removed), polished, distinguished, gracious, humble, moderate, reasonable,
gentle, kind, mellow, benign, easy-going, calm, pleasant, self-controlled,
nice, thoughtful, discreet, uncomplicated, simple.
Jesus is the ultimate example of a man with a meek
spirit. Matthew 11:29-30 says, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke
is easy, and My burden is light.”
The first time Jesus came to this earth as King, He
came riding on a colt, being very meek and humble (Matthew 21:5). When He comes
again the second time, He will come as the Mighty Warrior riding on a white
stallion (Revelation 19:11-16).
Moses was the meekest human upon the face of the
earth ever recorded in Scripture (Numbers 12:3).
The meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
Peter admonishes the women to not let adornment be
merely outward, but also the inner incorruptible beauty of a meek and quiet
spirit, which is precious in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:4). To have a meek spirit
is considered to be incorruptible beauty. Natural beauty fades away, but inner
beauty is lasting.
The meek shall eat and be satisfied. They shall
praise the Lord. They diligently seek for, inquire of, and require Him as their
greatest need (Psalms 22:26).
The meek He will guide in judgment (knowing and
doing what is right), and the meek will He teach His ways (Psalms 25:9).
The meek are not only acquainted with the acts of
God, but also with the ways of God.
The meek have a teachable spirit.
The meek delight themselves in the abundance of
peace (Psalms 37:11). The meek are peace lovers.
God arose in righteous judgment to save all the
meek of the earth (Psalms 76:9).
The Lord lifts up the meek, but the wicked He casts
down to the ground (Psalms 147:6).
The Lord takes pleasure in His people. He
beautifies the meek with salvation (Psalms 149:4).
To get born again, you must have a meek and humble
spirit in order to acknowledge that you are lost, are a sinner, and need a
Savior— and to confess that Jesus is Lord.
With righteousness and justice shall the Lord judge
the poor and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor, and the downtrodden
of the earth (Isaiah 11:4).
The meek are joyful individuals. They increase
their joy in the Lord and rejoice in the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 29:19).
Jesus said that the Spirit of the Lord was upon
Him, to preach good tidings to the meek (Isaiah 61:1).
When the meek of the earth seek the Lord, and His
righteousness, they are hidden from God’s judgment (Zephaniah 2:3).
Meekness is associated with righteousness (Psalms
45:4; Zephaniah 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:11).
Meekness is also linked with love, gentleness and
longsuffering (1 Corinthians 4:21; Galations 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians
3:12; 1 Timothy 6:11).
When leaders have to correct someone, they are not
to come with a rod, but in love and a spirit of meekness (1 Corinthians 4:21).
Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Ephesians 4:1-3 states: “I therefore, the prisoner
of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are
called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.”
Colossians 3:12-13 tells us: “Put on therefore, as
the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of
mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one
another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so
also do ye.”
We are commanded to pursue meekness in 1 Timothy
6:11.
The servant of the Lord must not strive, debate or
argue with people over doctrines or Scriptures; but be gentle unto all men, apt
to teach, patient, showing meekness to those who oppose them. 2 Timothy 2:24-25
James 1:21 says, “So get rid of all uncleanness and
the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit
receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts]
contains the power to save your souls.” AMP
James 3:13-18 states:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him
show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But
if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie
against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is
earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion
and every evil thing are there.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
by those who make peace. NKJV
1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in
your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a
reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good
conscience.
Rick Renner, Greek theologian, says: “The Greek
word for “meekness” here does not
mean weakness, but rather it has to do with humility.
When you have humility you have a teachable spirit and you esteem and regard
others more highly than yourself. You are humble toward God and man. You do not
promote yourself, but you exalt the Lord in everything.
When you are humble
you are teachable. You receive God’s
Word for your own life and allow it to discipline and correct you. You hear the
Word and you do it. When you are humble you allow the Holy Spirit to lead,
guide and teach you without excuses or rebellion. You obey the Spirit instantly
and precisely. You conduct your life in the way that the Word and the Lord
leads you to.
Meekness is strength with a tender touch.
Meekness includes voluntarily “submitting to one
another” (Ephesians 5:21). In a long passage, Peter spoke of the importance of
submission of all kinds—Christians toward government (1 Peter 2:13), servants
toward masters (1 Peter 2:18), Christ’s example of submitting to His tormentors
(1 Peter 2:21-25) and wives toward their husbands (1 Peter 3:1).
Meekness:
Makes a person “savable”
(Ps 149:4)
Makes a person “teachable” (Ps 25:9; James 1:21) – changeable!
Makes a person “useable” – God cannot use somebody who is not soft.
Makes a person “blessable” (Mt 5:5) Meekness is the soil of joy.
Meekness enables a person to bear patiently those
insults and injuries he receives at the hand of others. It makes him ready to
accept instruction from the least of the saints. It allows him to endure
provocation without being inflamed by it. He remains cool when others become
heated. Meek people seek no private revenge; they leave that to God's sense of
justice while they seek to remain true in their calling and meet God's
standards.
The meek are among those so favored that they will
share in Jesus' inheritance of the earth.
In the Greek language, the word prautes
(“meekness”) conveys the idea of a high and noble ideal to be aspired to in
one’s life. Although an injurious situation may normally produce a rash or
angry outburst, a meek person is controlled by kindness, gentleness,
mildness, or even friendliness.
The word “meekness” pictures a strong-willed person
who has learned to submit his will to a higher authority. He isn’t weak; he is controlled.
He may in fact possess a strong will and a powerful character; he may be a
person who has his own opinion. But this person has learned the secret of
submitting to those who are over him. Thus, he is one who knows how to bring
his will under control. In rare instances, the word prautes (“meekness”)
was used to describe wild animals that had become tame because it correctly
conveyed the idea of a wild, fierce will under control.
This means when the Spirit is producing meekness in
your life, you are controlled even in difficult circumstances. Rather than fly
into a rage and throw a temper tantrum, you are able to remain silent and keep
your emotions and temper under control. If you find yourself in a situation
that you fiercely believe is wrong, you are still able to stay silent until the
appropriate moment to speak or until you have been asked for your opinion. You
know how to control yourself and your emotions.
In addition to these meanings, the word “meekness”
was also used in a medical sense to denote soothing medication to
calm the angry mind. A meek person doesn’t project the countenance of one
who is offended, upset, angry, or reactive to insults or injuries. Instead, he
is so gentle and mild in his response that he becomes soothing
medicine for the angry or upset soul, or for a troublesome or unsettling
situation.
So take a moment to examine the way you respond to
insults, injuries, or volatile situations. Do you find that you are often a
contributor to a heated and potentially explosive atmosphere? Or does your
presence bring peace into the midst of the conflict? When others say or do
something that could offend you, do you quickly retort with a harsh answer, or
are you able to control your emotions and temper, remaining silent until a more
appropriate time to speak?”
Steps to developing meekness:
1.
Have a teachable spirit
2.
Be submissive to the will of God
3.
Be considerate to others and
committed to unity
Fruit of
the Spirit - Self-Control
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, SELF-CONTROL.” NKJV
The King James Version uses the word “temperance”
for self-control.
Temperance is defined in the Strong’s Greek
Concordance as: NT:1466 egkrateia
“self-control or continence”; from NT:1468 egkrates
“strong in a thing (masterful); i.e. (figuratively and reflexively)
self-controlled in appetite, etc; temperate.”
Some synonyms for “temperance” include: abstinence,
self-restraint, sobriety, soberness, moderation, self-denial, self-discipline,
self-control, limit, curb, restriction, balance, reasonableness.
The Bible warns of drunkenness or intoxication from
drinking excessive wine (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3). However, just a little
bit is good for the stomach (1 Timothy 5:23).
Jesus condemned the Pharisees for having an
appearance of righteousness, but were guilty of gluttony and self-indulgence,
as well as even worse things (Matthew 23:25). They were likened to cups that
were washed on the outside, but on the inside were unclean.
Greek Theologian Rick Renner says the following
about temperance (from the online devotional of the fruit of the Spirit –
meekness and temperance https://renner.org/meekness-and-temperance/ ):
“The word “temperance” comes from the Greek words en
and kratos. The word en means in, and the word kratos
is the Greek word for power. When compounded into one word, these
two Greek words form the word enkrateia, which literally means in
control and denotes power over one’s self; hence, it is often
translated as the word “self-control.” It suggests the control or
restraint of one’s passions, appetites, and desires.
Just as a meek individual can control his attitude,
a person with temperance has power over his appetites, physical urges,
passions, and desires. Because the Holy Spirit has produced temperance in his
life, he is able to say no to overeating, no to overindulging in fleshly
activities, no to any excesses in the physical realm. A person with
temperance maintains a life of moderation and control. The word enkrateia
— “temperance” — could be thus translated as restraint, moderation,
discipline, balance, temperance, or self-control.
You can see how opposite temperance is to the works
of the flesh. If the flesh is allowed to have its way, it will over-worry,
overwork, overeat, overindulge, and literally run itself to death. But when a
person is controlled by the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit produces in him a
discipline over the physical realm that helps him sustain his physical
condition, stay in good health, remain free from sin, and live a life that is
moderate and balanced.”
Rick Renner goes on to talk about financial
temperance in his online devotional https://renner.org/devotionals/temperance/ :
“The ability to exercise self-restraint (enkrateia)
is absolutely crucial in all arenas of your life, including your personal
finances, diet and physical exercise, productivity at work, or any other area
where discipline is required in order to progress.
However, because so many believers struggle with
self-control in the realm of finances, I want to address this specific issue.
If you will allow the Holy Spirit to work in this very important area of your
life, I know He will help you become financially temperate and
very prosperous as a result.
Managing your personal finances in a fiscally
responsible manner is an essential part of being a person through whom God can
work effectively. By doing so, you remain free from the bondage of unnecessary,
frivolous debt and thus are able to pursue your calling without the hindrance
and distraction of crushing financial obligations to creditors slowing you
down. However, if you repeatedly succumb to your flesh and use your credit card
to purchase items you don’t need and can’t afford, you will inevitably end up
swamped in debt and financially ruined. The Holy Spirit wants to help you be
temperate in the realm of your finances, as well as in every other realm. So
once you’ve made a commitment to exercise self-control (enkrateia) and
stay debt-free, know that with His help and by His grace, you can stick to
your commitment!
If you’ll listen to the Holy Spirit, He’ll help you
put together a plan to exercise temperance in your life. If you’ll stick with
His plan, He will lead you to a place of glorious financial freedom and will
help you bring discipline and self-control to every other area of your life.
When you get to this place, you’ll never want to go back! Denise and I have
learned firsthand that the fruit of temperance not only provides freedom
— it gives peace! I’m praying for you to make the decision to let the Holy Spirit
develop this fruit in your life in a greater measure than ever before — starting
today!”
For God so loved this world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God did not send His Son into this world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him would be saved.
The thief (Satan the devil) comes only for to kill, steal and destroy. But Jesus has come to give us life, and life more abundantly, until it overflows.
I urge you to come to the Cross today and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord. He will wash away all your sins and make you as clean and white as fresh snow.
Just pray this prayer and mean it with your heart:
Dear Lord Jesus (if you are not able to call him Lord yet, then just say "Jesus")
I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I give my life over to You. I believe that You died and rose again, and that if I call on the Name of the Lord I shall be saved.
I accept you into my heart right now, and confess that You are Lord and have risen from the dead and forever live to make intercession for me.
Thank You for washing my heart pure and clean and making me whole, and for giving me peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Thank You that now I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. The old has gone and the new has come.
And there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh (carnality and sin), but walk after the Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, I believe you got born again and are now heaven bound and will be with the Lord forever and have eternal life. Your sins are now forgiven. You are accepted in the Beloved.
I would encourage you to find a good Bible based local church to help you grow in your faith, to learn the Word of God, to praise and worship Him, and to have fellowship with the saints.
Serving Christ is the best decision you will ever make.
God bless you!!!
