We have been studying the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22-23.  Today, we are going to discuss faith, meekness, and temperance.  Remember that these are not independent of each other.  We’re not talking about fruits, plural, but rather a singular fruit of the Spirit manifested in nine different qualities.

Faith

Initially, we are saved by grace through faith, Eph 2:8-9.  This faith is simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 16:31.  Peter preached this to Cornelius in Acts 10:43.  Paul taught this to the elders of Ephesus in Acts 20:21, “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”.  See Rom 10:9-13.

When we believe in Jesus Christ we are “justified by the faith of Christ”, Gal 2:16.  This is Christ’s faith.  So subsequently, we can “live by the faith of the Son of God”, Gal 2:20.  Because of him, we can “walk by faith”, 2 Cor 5:7, and “live by faith”, Gal 3:11.

This faith comes from hearing the words of God, Rom 10:17.  His words give us hope, Ps 119:49, 74, 81, 114, 147; Col 1:5.  And his words show us the unseen things which are revealed to us by his Spirit, 1 Cor 2:9-10.  Thus, it is the Holy Spirit in us that brings forth the fruit of faith in our lives, as we read and believe God’s words.  And this faith is both the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, Heb 11:1.

According to 1 Thes 1:2-3, faith grows exceedingly, 2 Thes 1:3.  And it survives the fiery trials, 1 Pet 1:7-8.  Also, this faith works patience, Jas 1:3-4, which gives us the patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thes 1:3.

Meekness

Meekness is submissive obedience.  If you give your children a chore and they roll their eyes, and then do it, they have obeyed you but they aren’t submissive.  In submissive obedience, we are always looking for God’s will and seeking to do it cheerfully.

When we first obey the gospel, Rom 10:16, 2 Thes 1:8, we are not meek.  But as we yield ourselves to righteousness, and as we obey the doctrine of the Bible, Rom 6:16-18, 2 Tim 3:16-17, the Holy Spirit brings forth the fruit of meekness in us and we become meek, like Jesus , Matt 11:29, 1 Pet 3:4.

Temperance

Temperance is moderation in action, thought, or feeling.  It is habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions.  Paul said, “Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand”, Phil 4:5.

Temperance is the direct result of walking in the Spirit.  “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”, Gal 5:16-17.  Paul said, “every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things”, 1 Cor 9:25.

To study the second lesson in this three part series, go to Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness.