Do you know anyone that has a “hot button” (something that will totally set them off to the point where they just totally lose it every time they are aggravated in a certain way)? The Bible gives great insight on how to overcome something such as this. In today’s blog entry I’m continuing the Fruit of the Spirit series, which covers: Long-suffering, Goodness, and Gentleness.
Once again the scripture passage that I’m focusing on for this series is:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Longsuffering
Long-suffering can be defined as “Patience with others, the opposite of a short temper.” If the enemy knows that there is a specific button he can press that will always set an individual off, there is a good chance that he will continually press that button. Let’s look at athletics for example, one way that some players try to upset their opponents is through trash talking. If a player can mess with their opponent’s mind by talking trash, it can take away the opponents effectiveness as a player. Likewise if a Christian allows another person to dictate the way they will act, it can take away their effectiveness of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Proverbs 14:29 says “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Immediately responding to something that another has said or done may not always be the best thing to do because emotions can sometimes play a role in clouding a person’s judgment. Once we have had time to digest/understand the situation, our response will likely be more level headed.
Gentleness
Gentleness can also be described as kindness. It’s important that we are genuinely kind to other people. If we’re having a bad day, we shouldn’t take it out on everybody else. If we have a position of authority and someone makes a small mistake, we should be nice to them when we’re correcting them. For example, say you’re the manager of clothing store and a new person accidentally places some folded clothes in the wrong pile; don’t yell at them and embarrass them in front of everybody, but rather kindly let them know where the clothes should be placed. This is not to say that we should let people walk all over us; There are definitely times when we may have to assert ourselves more than others, but just going around being mean to people is not something a Christian should be involved with. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:32
Goodness
Goodness can also be described as generosity. God has blessed each person in a number of ways, and it’s important that we are also a blessing to others. Being generous can be done in a number of ways. Volunteering time for a good non-profit organization may be the way some people chose to show their generosity. Treating people to lunch every now and then maybe a way that some people choose to show goodness towards others. Assisting someone with yard work/home improvement can also be a way that people display goodness. These are just a few of many ways that generosity can be shown. “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35
The Fruit of The Spirit series will be continued in my next Tuesday blog entry.
Once again the scripture passage that I’m focusing on for this series is:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Longsuffering
Long-suffering can be defined as “Patience with others, the opposite of a short temper.” If the enemy knows that there is a specific button he can press that will always set an individual off, there is a good chance that he will continually press that button. Let’s look at athletics for example, one way that some players try to upset their opponents is through trash talking. If a player can mess with their opponent’s mind by talking trash, it can take away the opponents effectiveness as a player. Likewise if a Christian allows another person to dictate the way they will act, it can take away their effectiveness of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Proverbs 14:29 says “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Immediately responding to something that another has said or done may not always be the best thing to do because emotions can sometimes play a role in clouding a person’s judgment. Once we have had time to digest/understand the situation, our response will likely be more level headed.
Gentleness
Gentleness can also be described as kindness. It’s important that we are genuinely kind to other people. If we’re having a bad day, we shouldn’t take it out on everybody else. If we have a position of authority and someone makes a small mistake, we should be nice to them when we’re correcting them. For example, say you’re the manager of clothing store and a new person accidentally places some folded clothes in the wrong pile; don’t yell at them and embarrass them in front of everybody, but rather kindly let them know where the clothes should be placed. This is not to say that we should let people walk all over us; There are definitely times when we may have to assert ourselves more than others, but just going around being mean to people is not something a Christian should be involved with. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:32
Goodness
Goodness can also be described as generosity. God has blessed each person in a number of ways, and it’s important that we are also a blessing to others. Being generous can be done in a number of ways. Volunteering time for a good non-profit organization may be the way some people chose to show their generosity. Treating people to lunch every now and then maybe a way that some people choose to show goodness towards others. Assisting someone with yard work/home improvement can also be a way that people display goodness. These are just a few of many ways that generosity can be shown. “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35
The Fruit of The Spirit series will be continued in my next Tuesday blog entry.