When is a fruit not a fruit?

[Theosebes]

The bible says in Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The Holy Spirit lives in us and therefore these grow and develop in us because of His residence in us and our daily obedience and death to self, He has more area to fill. (I hope i'm in the right kind of area with that inadequate definition of someone so awesome)

So

QUESTION 1) When Jesus was in the temple throwing out money lenders and merchants and he was angry, and when Jesus cried over Lazarus, and when Jesus was 'troubled and deeply distressed' (Mark 14:33), in the garden before his crucifixion, does this mean he did not have any fruit of the Spirit? (Gal 5:22)

I believe he always had fruit of the Spirit because he IS the Spirit and Jesus and God all in one, also that the Spirit descended on him like a dove.

QUESTION 2) So we can be emotional AND still have the friut of the Spirit growing in us?

The bible says "In your anger, sin not" (Ephesians 4:26) and also makes reference to us having all other emotions (it would be too long to post them all with scripture references here)
In other words, while you are angry dont sin....don't let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26)

So we are permitted to feel emotions and to express them without sinning. It doesn't mean that we do not have the fruits of the Spirit.

(I am so confused so please forgive me as i know this is a long thread)

I have experienced feeling cross about injustice and having to tell off my child without it disturbing my peace inside. I have also experienced feeling sad and distressed for the wars and famines that have awful consequences, while still having peace and joy inside because God is the only answer.

So my experience tells me what i am asking above is correct, but i know i cannot base truth on experience but i must base it on Gods word. That is why i'm asking questions 1 and 2.

How is it that christians (small c on purpose) can claim to have the fruit of the Spirit and yet leave arguments and unrest behind them. I would look at their lives and see peace? yes, they seem peaceful inside. Patience?...yes, they are always patient as far as i have seen. They have joy, they are self-controlled etc....and yet i get a bad feeling around them and their conversation although full of scripture, causes ill feeling and unrest. Offending and condemning all who are in relationship with them.

QUESTION 3) Do they really have the fruits of the Spirit?

QUESTION 4) How can it seem like they do, when they don't?

Matthew 7:16 says
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them.

QUESTION 5) Is this the same as 'fruit of the Spirit'? I don't think so. I think this is by what they leave behind, what they 'produce' in a way...?

I cannot find the scripture about "what causes fights and quarrels amongst you....etc" or that would be helpful i'm sure as well.

Am truly confused so any assistance would be greatly appreciated

 

[Jesuslovesu]

Got fruit???

QUESTION 1) When Jesus was in the temple throwing out money lenders and merchants and he was angry, and when Jesus cried over Lazarus, and when Jesus was 'troubled and deeply distressed' (Mark 14:33), in the garden before his crucifixion, does this mean he did not have any fruit of the Spirit? (Gal 5:22)

I believe he always had fruit of the Spirit because he IS the Spirit and Jesus and God all in one, also that the Spirit descended on him like a dove.

I also agree with you on this also you need to remember that the money changers where at the temple...Our Father's house...so this teaches us that we also should defend and let people know what is wrong when it comes to the Father's house.

If Christ had not experienced these emotions it would be easy for people to say that Christ does not understand our feelings.

QUESTION 2) So we can be emotional AND still have the friut of the Spirit growing in us?

The bible says "In your anger, sin not" (Ephesians 4:26) and also makes reference to us having all other emotions (it would be too long to post them all with scripture references here)
In other words, while you are angry dont sin....don't let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26)

So we are permitted to feel emotions and to express them without sinning. It doesn't mean that we do not have the fruits of the Spirit.

Yes we can have emotions! God does not want us to be feelingless zombie's... While anger is a hard emotion to handle .. We can with the help of the Holy Spirit.

QUESTION 3) Do they really have the fruits of the Spirit?

Well I know for one that each person grows in the Lord differently some way quicker than others. So I would think also with the fruits. Sometimes when we look at people we only see the now. We don't always understand the then (before Christ). So we really cant know someones full growth, because we are never done growing while here.

QUESTION 4) How can it seem like they do, when they don't?

Well we also as people have a hard time seeing everything how it is. Sorda like I said right before this. I suggest prayer. don't get me wrong there are people who pretend to be Christians but that is between them and God

Matthew 7:16 says
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them.

QUESTION 5) Is this the same as 'fruit of the Spirit'? I don't think so. I think this is by what they leave behind, what they 'produce' in a way...?

Well actually I believe it is both! I know from how you said in this post about not showing fruit well this is the verse that tells you that why they dent show it. You have to though realize where they are in growth dent think a new baby is not fruitful when they are so new. This is why I urge people to pray for discernment.

God will tell you who to stay away from and who to help(by showing your fruit)

I cannot find the scripture about "what causes fights and quarrels amongst you....etc" or that would be helpful i'm sure as well.

Jam 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Jam 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jam 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Jam 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Am truly confused so any assistance would be greatly appreciated

Confusion is not of God. I pray that this will help you. The best way to get the answers you seek is from God, prayer reading your bible and fasting are what I suggest.


Joyfully~ Jlu

 

[Mike]

Great question . And great answer ! I only wish to say this . To seek Gods understanding , is the way to eternal life . To find another to help you find the answer , is a faithful friend to walk with along the way ! True fellowship in the Lord! Thanks sisters for all you give to us all . :boy_hug: Mike

 

[Theosebes]

Many, many thanks to you both.

I will tell you now why i asked.

A Christian i know was causing an argument. I confronted then and told them i was offended. They questioned the Spirit's fruit in my life because i was cross with them.

I began to question it too.

Your feedback has helped immensely. I am studying this as it has come up and i know we must be sure of the hope that is within us. So i need to be sure.
I will take your advice JLU and fast too.