In the Epistle for today we receive some very practical instruction from the Apostle Paul. He gives us instruction for Godly living. It is simple: walk in the Spirit. We believe that through Baptism and Confirmation God the Holy Spirit comes into our lives. It is one thing to have the Spirit and another thing to walk in the Spirit. The act of walking in the Spirit has to do with our Christian living.
We are told that our flesh – our natural self – is in opposition to the Spirit. They are contrary to one another. Someone who is attempting to resist the flesh by himself will find it an insurmountable task. The method for putting the deeds of the flesh to death is not mustering up enough willpower but rather doing so by means of the Spirit. This task is not one that we do for God; God accomplishes this task in and through us.
When we sin by indulging the flesh, because we are Christians, we are distressed by our sin. The distress that we feel is confirmation that the Spirit of God is disciplining us.
Paul tells the believers to walk by the Spirit and they won't be under the condemnation of the law. In so many ways our Christian life is a conflict between law and grace. When we walk by the Spirit we are living in God’s grace. We will certainly still be tempted to sin, but the Spirit helps us to live in such a way as to leave these desires unfulfilled.
Paul gives us a pretty exhaustive list of what consitutes the desires of the flesh. Let us take a whistle stop tour through them:
Adultery - This act of the flesh is a very specific kind of sexual impurity. It is the act of having or the desire for having (don’t forget we confess our thoughts) a sexual relationship with somebody outside our marriage covenant.
Fornication - Although fornication in our language is a very specific form of sexual impurity, this word refers to general sexual impurity. Unlike adultery, fornication is the act of having or the desire for having a sexual relationship without the presence of a marriage covenant.
Uncleanness – The Greek word used for this is ακαθαρσια (akatharsia) - which has two meanings; the first is a lack of physical cleanliness and the second is a type of financial filthiness. This applies to a person who is wealthy but uses that wealth in a manner where spending is foolish and uncontrolled. This includes ostentatious and conspicuous spending.
Lasciviousness or Lewdness - This is unbridled lust or public flaunting of lust and shamelessness. The word also includes what can be called indecent and suggestive body movements.
Idolatry – This is giving false gods the worship due to God. This generally implies the replacement of the creation for the creator. Idolatry is anything in which we give the allegiance that should be paid to God alone to something else.
Witchcraft or Sorcery – The Greek word used here is φαρμακεια (pharmakeia). This is a very interesting word. It is the word from which we get the English word pharmacy. I would suggest it is placed in this list because when we are under the influence of pharmaceuticals, or drugs, our communication with God and the things of the Spirit is impaired.
Enmities - This word describes those who get into feuds. The word is plural and is not referring to a general hatred but to those who like wrangles and disputes.
Strife - Generally this refers to disputes that result from foolishness or careless words. It could be said to be arguing about things that don't matter. These things have been known, nevertheless, to be the cause of great strife in Christian communities.
Jealousies - This is a jealousy brought about through people comparing their blessings or through competing or rivalry. Relationships are impaired through this jealousy.
Wrath – This is uncontrolled temper and passion. This is a festering of anger in somebody which then boils over and defiles others.
Factions - This is a self seeking pursuit of pre-eminence, just like the disciples bickering about who was going to be first amongst them. Wanting to be great is not a sin. The way in which you achieve it can be. Jesus shows us that greatness is achieved through service.
Divisions - This is creating a party spirit or the creating of factions. The desire to be identified by some name or title is an act of the flesh and must be put to death. Divisions in the church are frequently founded on these ungodly desires.
Heresies - These are improper understandings of God's word and the teaching of the church. Heresies often result in people gathering around an heretical teacher. This is promoted by basing our understanding of the faith upon our opinions about the faith, rather than what God has revealed in Scripture and the church.
Envyings - This is a very destructive form of covetousness. While someone coveting may say that he wants something that belongs to someone else, envy goes further and says, "Well, if I can't have it then I don't want the other person to have it either." Envy attempts to level playing fields and fights against anyone receiving blessings that others do not. It must be said that this is one of the central sins of Communism.
Murders - This is the putting to death of a human unlawfully.
Drunkenness - Drinking to the point of intoxication and thus losing self control is drunkenness. This is ‘all fall down” drinking.
Revellings – These are wild and late parties to all hours of the night. There is a heavy emphasis in this word on the actual time that this carousing occurs.
That is the list. As you can see these are not activities which will get you on the back page of the Sunday Times. Paul tells us that those who continue in these behaviours are not the children of God. Paul is not saying that those who have committed these things are going to hell. He is saying that those who practice or continue in them will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Those who are not going to heaven can be characterized as people who are controlled by these desires.
So what are we then to do? Paul immediately tells us. We are to show the fruit of the spirit. In the English it is not easy to tell that the word ‘fruit’ in the Greek is singular. However, in the previous section on the works of the flesh the Greek word for "works" is plural. The point of this is that these attributes are not individual commodities but are rather pieces of a whole. Our lives should manifest all of them.
We should also note that they are not the gifts of the Spirit. The fruit is not to be confused with the gifts. The gifts of the Spirit are given to edify, or build up, the body of Christ, the Church. The fruit of the Spirit are the characteristics of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life.
A sweet fruit tree will produce sweet fruit. We are able to identify the type of tree by evidence of its fruit. A sour fruit tree cannot produce sweet fruit. The fruit of the Spirit which God produces in us is the sweet evidence of his grace in our lives.
For the fruit Paul gives us another list. It can be broken under three headings:
Firstly, how we are disposed towards God and humans:
Love - This love is one of sacrifice where we do right by our brothers. This kind of love sacrifices its own concerns for the concerns of others. The very essence of this word is hoping the best for others.
Joy - This is not the warm feeling of benevolence or the bubbly, perky, always-up emotion that is frequently confused with joy. Joy is a gladness or a deep seated contentment. Joy and happiness are not the same thing. Someone could be experiencing a difficult time of trial yet is able to maintain joy throughout. In addition, this joy in some cases is difficult if not impossible to express because it is centered in the glory of God. Peace - There are many sides to this word but the best common thread is that a lack of peace means the presence of some form of war – be it wrangles, dissensions, contentions, selfishness and ambitions.
The second heading is our relationships with other people
Longsuffering - This refers to a gentleness of our mind, which disposes us to take everything in good part, and not to be easily offended. This fruit rushes to find the good, not to find the opportunity for complaint or criticism.
Gentleness - This aspect of the fruit of the Spirit involves friendliness, charity, hospitality and integrity. It produces concern for others and longs to see others' needs met.
Goodness - This refers to an upright heart that is quick to complete a thoughtful deed. Its motivations are pure.
The third heading is descriptions of our character
Faithfulness - Primarily this refers to a person who is characterized by Christian faith. This is a deep faith in God and his activity in our world. It also refers to a person who is dependable, trustworthy and whose word is sure.
Meekness – This is a disposition that flows from humility. This is not the opposite of boldness. This is not someone who is a pacifist or is unable to stand up for their convictions. A meek person rather is one who doesn't need harshness or fervent emotion to bolster his position.
Temperance or Self-control - Interestingly, one who is self-controlled is a person who is Spirit controlled. This is someone who is able to keep their temper, emotions and behaviours under control because they rely on the Spirit.
This is the way of life to which we are called. May God bless you as you show forth the fruit of the Spirit in the week ahead.
