Recently, I pointed out that the Bible says we are to show our faith by our actions and not our words, but how do we know that we are doing so? So many people are blinded to their own faults. They read the words of Jesus and assume they are doing everything correct. They fail to self evaluate because of their pride. I daresay that most of us are like that at least in some areas in our lives. So how do we know?
There is a simple way to test whether you are in the faith or not-- by the fruit your life produces. If you are living in sin and darkness, the fruits of your actions will be negative and not from God. That doesn't mean that everything will be perfect, but it does mean that you will have joy and peace in all circumstances when you are living by the Spirit. What are the fruits of the world vs. the fruits of the Spirit? Galatians 5 gives a clear cut definition for us to reference when we are unsure where we stand.
Galatians 5:13-26
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (ESV
There is a simple way to test whether you are in the faith or not-- by the fruit your life produces. If you are living in sin and darkness, the fruits of your actions will be negative and not from God. That doesn't mean that everything will be perfect, but it does mean that you will have joy and peace in all circumstances when you are living by the Spirit. What are the fruits of the world vs. the fruits of the Spirit? Galatians 5 gives a clear cut definition for us to reference when we are unsure where we stand.
Galatians 5:13-26
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (ESV
Are you using your God-given freedom and free will to serve others in love, or are you living in your flesh with envy and strife in your heart? Let go of the desires of the flesh because that part of you was crucified with Jesus Christ when you were born again. Don't look back. There is now a new you who was designed to walk in all the perfect fruits of the Spirit. Examine your lifestyle today and the fruit it bears and ask yourself where to go from here.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. (ESV)
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