I am delighted to welcome you to yet another inspiring blog post. The previous blog article was on the topic “The Character Crisis: A Call to Action to Women in Today's Age.” We discussed the deterioration of strong moral character and the character shaped by the Spirit, particularly in women, and its potential negative impact on families and future generations. If you haven’t read it yet, you can access it by clicking here.
Today, we will explore the fruits of the Spirit individually and discuss how they contribute to building the kind of home God has envisioned.
LOVE: This is the first fruit we produce by the help of the Holy Spirit as He shapes us into being who God intends. This quality isn’t merely a feeling, but an attribute of God that translates into our being as we constantly submit ourselves to Him. With the nature of love evident in our lives, we are able to be compassionate about others, be patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not rude, not selfish, not provoked, think no evil, despise iniquity, rejoice in the truth, bear all things, doubt nothing, hope all things, endure all things and never fail. So, it is evident that the nature of love is beyond a feeling but a personality and identity.
JOY: It is a deep-seated happiness and contentment that stems from intimacy with the Holy Spirit. It is a natural result of trusting in God’s goodness and sovereignty. It is often referred to as the “atmosphere of heaven,” as no iota of sadness, worry, anxiety or depression ever finds expression in such environment. It is an aura that stems from God’s presence, one that can not be denied.
PEACE: This is the spiritual atmosphere of God’s presence. It brings a deep sense of calm, security, and well-being to those who trust in Him. It stems from inside out and not vice versa.
LONG-SUFFERING: It is the quality of patiently enduring difficult circumstances, injustices, or provocations without becoming angry or resentful. It is an attribute of God and He exercises this attribute with humanity (Exodus 34:6-7).
KINDNESS: It is the quality of showing compassion, empathy, and generosity towards others, especially those in need or distress.
GOODNESS: It is the quality of moral excellence, righteousness and generosity. It is a reflection of God’s nature (Psalm 27:13).
FAITHFULNESS: It is the quality of being reliable, trustworthy and loyal. It is a fundamental attribute of God that is translated to our being as we submit ourselves to Him.
GENTLENESS: It is the quality of being humble, meek and kind. It is a reflection of God’s own character and heart.
SELF-CONTROL: It is the quality of subjecting one’s desires to the will of God. It involves exercising restraint and moderation in one’s thoughts, words, actions and desires.
These fruits are the pillars of godly character, produced by the help of the Holy Spirit. It is an inner working He does to one who is submitted to Him. If these fruits find expression in the life of a believer, it shows the transformation being wrought in such by the Holy Spirit, and such will be able to express the will of God in all such does.
God’s idea of family is one that is established on His covenant, where He is the builder and maker. He can only be the builder and maker of the family when He is involved, and every individual that makes up the family is submitted to Him. It takes where His will is being sought after for it to be established; and if His will will be established, there must be submission to the Holy Spirit.
The making of the family starts with the married couple, and they must be one who are submitted to the Holy Spirit and have given themselves continually to the pruning of the Holy Spirit that they may bear these fruits. These fruits are what make up their character, make them compatible and ensure the establishment of God’s will in the family they would establish.
- Love is needed among family members. It strengthens the bond between the family members and ensures there is no room for envy, hatred, or bitterness.
- Joy among family members enables a conducive environment for the Holy Spirit to further work in the family to produce desired results.
- Peace is the guarantee of God’s presence and this gives an atmosphere of calm and security among family members, leaving no room for quarrel, anxiety, worry, depression, and the likes.
- Long-suffering ensures a cooperative effort towards overcoming hard times or trials that might come at the family.
- Kindness sees to it that every family member is treated with love and given the support that is needed at needing times.
- Goodness ensures there’s no trespass or mediocrity of moral excellence and righteousness, making the family one that is within the confines of God’s will.
- Faithfulness ensures trust and enables loyalty among family members. This fruit of the Spirit sees to it that no member of the family has their trust breached, therefore, fostering mutuality and intimacy.
- Gentleness keeps pride away from the family. Everyone in the family readily follows peace with one another, thus, not prolonging quarrel or conflict.
- Self-control makes it possible for family members to observe and maintain boundaries, thus, not trespassing but rather allowing the will of God to be established.
Any family that is built on these pillars is certain to thrive because the Holy Spirit is certain to be in such family. And anywhere He is, the devil dares not trespass.
You must be thinking: "Wow! The Holy Spirit does a lot! How can I have the Holy Spirit that He may make me into one with a godly character?"
The key to receiving the Holy Spirit lies in faith. You must believe in Jesus Christ and accept the gift of salvation. When you do, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within you, initiating the transformative process of conforming you to the image of Christ.
How to accept the gift of salvation?
Confess this with sincerity in your heart: Lord Jesus, I come before you today, I ask that you forgive my sins and make me your own. Feel me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
If you said that prayer, congratulations to you! Welcome to the family of God! Now, embark on your journey towards cultivating a godly character and building a godly home.
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