Today's tough question is "can you DO the fruit of the Spirit?" Let's take a look at Galatians 5:16-24 for some clues:
5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
A couple of points to think about:
First, the fruit of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit's fruit. The Holy Spirit's very nature is made up of these things.
Second, The fruit is not the Christian's fruit. Paul does not call it "the fruit of the Christian."
Third, the Christian's flesh does some stuff - but Paul calls them "deeds" (v19) instead of fruit. Deeds are things we do. In fact, our flesh desires to do these bad deeds.
In versus 16 and 18, Paul gives us the keys. If we walk by the Spirit: 1. we will not do the evil deeds of our flesh and 2. the Holy Spirit will manifest His fruit in our lives. Paul clarifies further by implying in versus 18 and 23, that if we trust in our own selves and try to live by the law, the result will be the deeds of our flesh.
The point Paul makes is "trust God" in your life instead of taking it upon yourself to "do the law." Haven't we learned by now that we are not good at doing the law? If we could do it, wouldn't Jesus' sacrifice have been in vain?
So, the answer to the question is "no," you cannot do the Fruit of the Spirit. But, by trusting God, His Spirit will display those fruits in your life. Walk in the Spirit (v16). Let Him lead you (v18).
Make sense?
