Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit - Love
Loving
God and loving others is the #1 Kingdom principle.
One
of the first things Jesus will ask you when you get to Heaven is if you learned
to love.
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.
The
failure to walk in love can prevent a person from receiving their healing and
can block the flow of God’s blessings.
Whatever
we receive from the Lord, we receive by faith.
Faith
works by love (Galations 5:6).
Without
love, our faith will not work properly.
If
we are not receiving answers to our prayers, perhaps we need to check up on our
love walk.
Unforgiveness
and hatred are deadly to our love walk, and these are blessing blockers.
To
hate our brother is the same as walking in darkness, according to 1 John 2:11.
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).
Hatred
is as the sin of murder, and no murderers will inherit eternal life (1 John
3:15, Revelation 21:8).
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).
If
you do not have love in your heart for someone, the Holy Spirit can place that
love there.
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.
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.
David
said in Psalms 51:16-17 that God does not delight in sacrifices and burnt
offerings, but in a broken and contrite heart.
The
heart and attitudes of man is what God is after.
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.”
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.
Romans
13:8-10 (NKJV) says, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he
who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Love
does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.
If
you walk in love, you will not break any of the ten commandments.
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.”
In
John 14:21 Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.
In
John 15:13 Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down
one's life for his friends.”
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.
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.”
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.
Greek
word for “love”: Phileo - friendship; to be kindly disposed to one;
tender affection; personal attachment; sentimental feelings; to love from the
heart.
Greek
word for “love”: Philos – a dear one; to be fond of; a friend; an
associate; a neighbor.
Greek
word for “love”: Philadelphia – brotherly love; the love which
Christians cherish for each other as brethren.
Greek
word for “love”: Philandros – affectionate as a wife; a wife showing
affection to her husband. Titus 2:4a.
Greek
word for “love”: Philoteknos – loving one’s offspring or
children. Titus 2:4b.
Greek
word for “love”: Philanthropia – love of mankind; benevolence; philanthropy.
Acts 28:2; Titus 3:4.
Greek
word for “love”: Philanthropos – love of mankind; philanthropy;
humane; kindness.
Acts 27:3.
Agape
(noun) and agapao (verb) is the highest form of love, and is imparted to us by
the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
Without
agape love in operation, it is not possible to act in genuine phileo or philos
love (love for the brethren, family and friends).
In
1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul gives us a clearer understanding of what it
means to walk in agapao love.
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.
Love
is Kind (chresteuomai) – to show oneself helpful; to act
benevolently; to show oneself mild.
Love
is Not Envious (zeloo) – to have warmth of feeling
against; to be heated or boiling; jealousy.
Love
is Not boastful (perpereuomai) – braggart; to vaunt
oneself.
Love
is Not Proud or Arrogant (phusioo) – to be haughty; to inflate; blow
up; blow out; to cause to swell up.
Love
is Not Rude (aschemoneo) – to be (or act) unbecoming;
behave unseemly.
Love
is Not Self-Seeking (zeteo) – seek; require; demand
(one’s own way); selfishness; self-centeredness.
Love
is Not Easily Angered (paroxuno) – to exasperate; to
irritate; provoke; rouse to anger; to be sharp.
Love Thinks
No Evil (Greek: kakos) – troublesome; injurious; pernicious;
destructive; baneful; keeping a record of wrongs.
Love
Does Not Rejoice in Iniquity (Greek: adikia) – injustice;
moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act).
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.
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.
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.
Love Hopeth
All Things (Expect) (elpizo) – to expect; expect the best.
Love Endures
All Things (hupomeno) – abide, remain; i.e. bear trials; have
fortitude; persevere.
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.
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.”
To
serve means to minister to others, attending to and waiting upon others, caring
for others, serving the welfare of others.
To
be a servant one must have a spirit of humility.
Servanthood
is putting the best interests and needs of others before oneself.
A
servant attitude is one of meekness, kindness and gentleness.
A
servant leader leads by example.
To
serve others is to show honor, preferring one another (Romans 12:10).
To
serve others is to esteem others higher than ourselves.
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.
Jesus
defines greatness as that of being a servant.
Before
God exalts a person to leadership, He looks for a servant heart.
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.”
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.
Jesus
is our ultimate example of a servant leader.
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.”
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.
Jesus
and the Bride of Christ serve one another.
Jesus
serves the Church by demonstrating His unending love, humility, mercy,
goodness, kindness, graciousness and faithfulness.
Jesus
leads by example. There is no selfishness in Him. He is concerned about the
needs of His Bride.
Jesus
laid His life down for His Bride, and He wants us to lay our lives down for one
another.
Jesus
is very patient. He is not harsh, sharp or easily angered.
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.
Jesus
nourishes and nurtures His Church.
There
is a distinction between being a church-goer and being the Bride of Christ.
A
person can be religious and not even be saved.
The
Bride is in love with Jesus and seeks to do His will.
The
Bride serves her Bridegroom (Jesus). She finds out what pleases Him the most
and then does those things.
Agape
love and servanthood means to show honor, respect, courtesy and consideration
to one another.
Honor is
defined as: high regard or great respect given, received or enjoyed;
dignity; repute; esteem; to treat with deference and courtesy.
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).
The
term “deference” is defined as: a yielding in opinion,
judgment or wishes; courteous regard or respect; honor.
In
certain passages of the Bible, some translators use the word “respect” while
other translations use the term “reverence”.
Reverence
is similar to respect, except has deeper meaning. Reverence implies
deep respect together with love.
To
revere is to have high esteem or awe for; to venerate. Reverence suggests a
regarding with great respect, affection, honor and deference.
Love
edifies others.
Romans
14:19 says, “Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the
things by which one may edify another.”
Romans
15:2 says, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, for his
edification.”
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.”
Thayer’s
Greek Lexicon further defines “edify” as to promote growth in Christian wisdom,
affection, grace, virtue, holiness and blessedness.
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.
Remember
the “3 E’s”:
Edify
Esteem
Encourage
Love
never fails. If things are failing in your life, then check your love level.
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.
There
are no limitations to those who walk in God’s love.
The
revelation of all possibilities is in the understanding of my love identity.
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.
Ephesians
3:14-21 – Love Identity. How do I access or activate this kind of love
identity?
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.
Love
is the most excellent way.
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.
Love
makes you more than a conqueror. Romans 8:20. Anything defeating me is only
temporary.
Ephesians
3 (prayer Paul prayed for inner strength to be bold, strong, victorious,
joyful).
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.
God’s
love is shed abroad in your emotions. Say “touch me Lord Jesus”, and He will.
God
can shed abroad His love into your imagination. Can you imagine what would
happen to your life?
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.
The
love of God is shed abroad in our will.
Perfect
love casts out fear. 2 Timothy 1:7. The power, love and a sound mind cannot
work without love.
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.
Ephesians
3:14, inner man is your soul.
The
root of the Spirit is love. Everything else is the fruit.
When
you get out of love, you get into the flesh and into pride.
Your
first works is love.
Love
is the master of the Spirit world.
When
you are all upset and walk out of love, you are not as powerful as you could
be.
The
love walk is not an emotional love walk. It’s triumphant.
Satan
downplays love because he knows how powerful it is. This world demonstrates
weak love.
Be
rooted and grounded in love.
Love
surpasses knowledge.
Love
surpasses facts. I’ve got something in me to stir up miracles.
Love
is supernatural.
Your
life will be transformed by God’s love inside of you.
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 …”
The
richest attribute of God’s Glory is love.
Galations
5:6 says faith which works by love.
Love
is the ground wire.
The
stagnation and frustration you’ve been going through is over. Love makes grace
show up.
You
will be stronger than you’ve ever been in your life, because of a deeper love
relationship between you and God.
Love
will never let you down, even when you make a mistake.
“The
past won’t last.” Whatever you need wiped out can be wiped out by the power of
love.
Love
gives. “For God so loved the world that He gave …”
“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.
The
Baptism of the Holy Spirit involves tongues, but is a baptism of the love of
God.
Works
don’t replace love.
Return
to your first love and first work (Revelation 2:1-7).
All
limitations can be crossed by love.
We
are called in Christ to make marks which cannot be erased, and love makes those
marks.
Because
of love I will live and declare the glory of the Lord.
Love
brings results to our prayers and faith.
“Lord,
spread Your love through my imagination.”
Love
heals the broken heart.
There
is no greater love on earth than being a grandparent.
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
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”.
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.
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.
Joy
is produced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2; Romans 14:17, 15:13; Galations 5:22-23;
1 Thessalonians 1:6)
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
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.
Joy
is also associated with peace and righteousness in the Holy Ghost (Romans
14:17, 15:13).
Joy
- Rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and Heaven is
your eternal home! Luke 10:20
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
Joy
- The Apostle John had no greater joy than to know that his spiritual children
walked in truth (3 John 4).
Joy
- In order to remain joyful, keep company with other joyful and positive
people.
Joy
- One way to build your praise to God is to associate with others who are
praisers.
Joy
- Don’t spend a lot of time with gloomy people, except to offer encouragement,
prayer and to cheer them up.
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.
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).
Joy
- The Lord gives us the oil of joy or gladness for mourning (Isaiah 61).
Joy
- God turns our mourning into dancing (Psalms 30:11).
Joy
– The oil of joy and gladness breaks yokes and burdens off of people, because
of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27).
Joy
and rejoicing are daily choices. The Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord
always; I will say it again, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Joy
is cheerfully expectant.
Joy
contains expectation of a prosperous and successful future.
Joy
can get you through any hardships, trials, grief or sorrow (1 Peter 4:12-14).
Joy
- Most prosperous and successful people are joyful people, because they are
positive minded and are thankful individuals.
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”.
Joy
strengthens a person spiritually, emotionally, mentally, relationally,
financially and physically.
Joy
- Science has proven that laughter is therapy to the soul and entire body,
including the bones (Proverbs 15:30, 16:24, 17:22).
Joy
- Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken
spirit dries the bones.
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).
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.
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).
Joyful
people make a habit of singing quite often. Singing expresses joy and brings
joy. Some people need to get their song back.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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).
Joyful
people have a spring in their step and tend to be more agile.
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).
Joy
- God promises that those who delight themselves in the Lord, they shall
receive the desires of their heart (Psalms 37:4).
Joyful
people delight in doing God’s will (Psalms 40:8).
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
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).
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).
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.”
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.
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.
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
Joy
- When you rejoice and laugh by faith, you tap into true joy, and resist
yielding to depression and fear. Keith Moore
Joy
- Happiness is always an inside job. Author Unknown
Joy
asks, “Who can I be a blessing to today?”
Joy
- Smile, for you never know how it may brighten someone’s day.
Joy
- Be so happy that when others look at you they become happy too.
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.
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.
Joy
is so powerful that demons have a meltdown, tremble and flee.
Joy
- Your joy is a demonstration of the triumph of Christ.
Joy
- Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.
Joy
is associated with trusting in the Lord and rejoicing in His goodness.
Joy
is linked with the fruit of kindness. When kindness is demonstrated in
relationships, it brings joy to the relationship.
Joy
is the best makeup. Author Unknown
Joy
is contagious. Be a carrier and spread joy to everyone around you.
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.
Joy
- Rejoice because you are a son or daughter of God!
Joy
is found in the beauty and peace of nature, such as beautiful forests and
flower gardens.
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.
Joy
- Comparison is the thief of joy.
Joy
- God’s goodness, and any mention of His goodness, brings joy.
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
Joy
is found in a grateful heart.
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.”
Joy
- The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals
with joy. Author Unknown
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).
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.
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.
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).
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
Joy
- He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).
Joy
- The joyful person finds delight in God’s Word (Psalms 1:2), and delights to
do God’s will (Psalms 40:8).
Joy
- “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” Irish
Proverb
Joy
- Laughter is an instant vacation. Milton Berle
Joy
is the serious business of Heaven. C.S. Lewis
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
Joy
- When we receive miracles and answers to prayer, and dreams come to pass, it
sparks joy.
Joy
- Weeping may endure for a night (a season), but joy comes in the morning.
Psalms 30:5
Joy
- May you become filled with so much joy and happiness that it heals every part
of you.
Joy
and grieving are meant to be shared with others. Rejoice with them who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15
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
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.
Joy
- There is no greater joy on earth than to be a grandparent.
Joy
- The fear (holy reverence) of the Lord is a fountain of life. Proverbs 14:27
Joy
- Happy people don’t go through life collecting recognition. They go through
life giving it away. Dodinsky
Joy
- Once you have feasted on the goodness of God, nothing else will satisfy. D.A.
Ovieda
Joy
- May we always have an attitude of gratitude, because thankfulness produces
joy.
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
Joy
- Your future is as bright as the promises of God.
Joy
- The reward ceremony in Heaven will be unlike anything we can imagine.
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
Joy
- Psalms 32:11 says, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout
for joy, all you upright in heart!”
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.”
Joy
- Isaiah 12:3 says, “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of
salvation.” NKJV
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
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.
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”.
Joy
- Psalms 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man
that trusts in Him.”
The
Lord spoke and said, “If you only know what happens in the Spirit when you
rejoice, you would rejoice every day.” Mark Hankins
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
When
we rejoice, we are acting like sons and daughters of God! Rejoicing is an act
of faith. Mark Hankins
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
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
Jesus
sits in the heavens and laughs triumphantly (Psalms 2:4). Mark Hankins
One
of the characteristics of the Kingdom is joy in the Holy Ghost. Mark Hankins
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
Joy
is the proper protocol for entering into God’s Presence (Psalms 100). Mark
Hankins
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
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
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
When
you go through a trial, the joy of the Lord neutralizes the pressure. Mark
Hankins
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
Your
joy is Jesus’ joy. Mark Hankins
Joy
is like the gentle warm sunshine of Spring upon the soul.
J
O Y = Jesus, Others, Yourself
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:
·
Peace
·
Quietness
·
Tranquility
·
Salvation and
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
·
Rest
·
Joy
·
Hope
·
Faith
·
Love
·
Absence of war
·
Absence of strife
and contention
·
Peace in our
spirit (rational intellect, the part of us that communes with God)
·
Peace in our soul
(mind, will, emotions)
·
Peace with God,
especially in covenant relation
·
Peace that
surpasses our understanding
·
Peace like a
river
·
Unity
·
Concord
·
Harmony (the
anointing oil flows with unity)
·
Freedom from
confusion and captivity of any kind
·
Success and
Blessings (family, children, both material and non-material things)
·
Giving thanks for
all your blessings
·
Prosperity
·
Wealth
·
Living debt free
·
Debts cancelled
·
Satiation of
God’s goodness
·
Being filled up
with the Word of God
·
Possessing the
promises of God
·
Completeness
·
Wholeness
·
Restoration
·
Rejuvenation
·
Refreshment
·
Recreation
·
Contentment
·
Friendship
·
Friendliness
·
Fellowship with
the saints
·
Soundness in mind
and physical body
·
Excellent health
·
Wellness
·
Security
·
Welfare
·
Happiness
·
Joy
·
Rejoicing
·
Gladness
·
Jubilee
·
Delight
·
Melody
·
Singing
·
Laughter
·
Nothing missing
and nothing broken
·
Safe (in mind,
body or estate)
·
Restitution
·
Compensation
·
Deliverance from
our enemies
·
To walk in favor
with God and man
·
God gives His
Beloved sleep
·
Days of Heaven
upon earth
·
A greeting (“May
it be well with you”)
·
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:
anexikakos
(NT:420) = enduring of ill; forbearance (2 Timothy 2:24)
epieikes
(NT:1933) = mild, gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)
makrothumia
(NT:3115) = longanimity, forbearance, fortitude (Hebrews 6:12 and James 5:10)
hupomeno
(NT:5278) = to stay under; to undergo; bear trials; have fortitude; persevere
(Romans 12:12)
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:
Put
on diligence
Develop
faith
Develop
virtue
Develop
knowledge
Develop
self-control
Develop
patience
Develop
godliness
Develop
brotherly affection
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
It
is defined as usefulness, i.e. moral excellence (in character or demeanor).
Translated in the KJV as gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.
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.
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:
Diligence
Faith
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-control
Perseverance
Godliness
Brotherly
kindness
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:
The
state or quality of being good
Moral
excellence; virtue
Kindly
feeling, kindness, generosity, joy in being good
The
best part of anything; Essence; Strength
General
character recognized in quality or conduct
Greek
words for “good” include:
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”.
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.
Chrestos
(Strong’s #5543) = That which is pleasant, kindly, gracious, good.
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.
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:
· Have a teachable spirit
· Be submissive to the
will of God
· 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!”