Do you agree with me that all born again believers do not have the fruit of the Spirit in equal abundance? As I look here in the Holman Christian Standard Bible and I read "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23), it's obvious that some believers may be more loving or more patient, for example, than other believers. Colossians 3:12 tells us to put on "heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (HCSB) Now, can we as Christians, though the help of God's Spirit, improve upon these weak areas? If we lack patience or self control or even kindness, can we through prayer and scripture study and meditation, improve in these areas? I feel too many of us settle where we are at and do not look to improve upon our weaknesses. Your thoughts?
Fruit of the Spirit
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Nicholas25, Jul 31, 2011.
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Scarlett O. ModeratorModerator
I do not believe that all true, born-again believers bear the fruit of the Spirit in equal abundance. Too many other things get seeded and blossom inside of us - resentment, disloyalty, anger, fear, and more - and those weeds and thorns of the flesh can compete with the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
The flesh and the Spirit don't have the same agenda.
And sometimes when a devote Christian experiences the storms of life or the tremendous pressures of life, he or she will allow the fleshly "fruits" to prevail. -
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Would genetics not play into this as well? Say a man or woman inherited a personality from his or her mother or father that is not as naturally loving. Much of what we are is from inherited genetics. I just read two great books on former UCLA Men's Basketball Coach, John Wooden. He is well known for patience and kindness, but he himself said that he inherited that from his father. I just think some things, some of the fruit of the Spirit, are easier for some of us to bear.
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Genetics might play into it, but more likely how one is nurtured, how early one is brought into Christ and what sort of outside influences affect the life of the individual are more important.
*I* didn't have a loving patient mother. If the genetics held true, then I should be a jealous, controlling, critical woman, but PTL I am NOT. I was saved early and recognized early that her life wasn't following what I read a woman/mother was supposed to be like. In my case the leading of the Holy Spirit and the influence of more mature Christians had a greater effect than either genetics or raising.
But that is just me. Scarlett has the right of it in her post. Sometimes the "weeds" overtake our lives. -
Ok, can we improve upon our weak areas with the help of the Holy Spirit. I want to say that the answer is yes, because God is the one who convicts believers with a desire to change and grow, not to mention the scripture I quoted in the lead post.
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What's the purpose of this post?
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Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Nicholas,
be careful with patience.....
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