Responding To The Fruit Of The Flesh

  " ... hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions" - Galatians 5:20

Have you ever known someone who just loved to "stir the pot" - start arguments - say hurtful things to others - were just mean spirited? Those attitudes are expressed a lot on social media - especially since the people don't have to look face to face with the person being disrespected. Paul wrote about the works of the flesh to the Galatians, about - hateful people - contentious people - jealous people - angry people - people who only care about themselves - people who love to cause dissention. It is what I call the fruit of the flesh.

Sad to say there are many Christians who act the same way. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The polar opposite of the fruit that the flesh produces. When we were in Haiti, I had the occasion to preach in churches from time to time. If you have ever been to a country in the Caribbean you know that they abound with fruit trees. In Haiti, it's especially mango trees.  So, using mango trees as an analogy, I would tell the people, "if someone told me they were a mango tree (living by the Spirit) and I walked up to the them to get a mango, but only found sour oranges on their branches, I would have to believe that they were not a mango tree at all, but they were, in fact, a sour orange tree." Pastor Greg Laurie said that when he calls that out in a person he is not being a judge but merely a "fruit inspector".

And so, if someone professes to be a Christian but I see the "fruit of the flesh" hanging on their "branches", demonstrated by  the way they talk and treat other people, then I will be compelled to believe that they are not walking after the Spirit but after the flesh.

"I [Paul] say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." - Galatians 5:16-17

Don't make excuses for people like that. They are merely exposing their hearts.

 "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." - Matthew 12:34

In fact I would suggest that you just walk away - ignore them. Pray for them certainly, that they would have a heart change - but even if they are a Christian - have nothing to do with them. You don't have to enter in to what ever it is that they are doing. Don't feel compelled to convince them to think otherwise. Their goal is not to build you up in your faith - just the opposite. What they need is the conviction of the Spirit of God and then to surrender their hearts. Show them meekness. Meekness is not weakness. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone