Tuesday, November 3
If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit.—Gal. 5:25.
Walking by holy spirit prevents us from succumbing to apostasy. But only by remaining spiritually vigilant can we continue to enjoy Jehovah’s undeserved kindness and “go on walking in the truth.” (3 John 3, 4) Let us therefore be determined to reject all apostasy so that we can maintain a strong relationship with our heavenly Father. Paul listed apostate idolatry and sects among such “works of the flesh” as fornication and loose conduct. But he explained: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.” (Gal. 5:19-21, 24) What qualities does God’s active force produce in those who live and walk by spirit? “The fruitage of the spirit,” wrote Paul, “is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”—Gal. 5:22, 23. w07 7/15 2:5, 6
My 2 cents:
I'm sure none of us here would become apostates anytime soon. However, it wouldn't hurt to fortify our spirituality so that no false teachings or ideas could ever shake the foundations of our faith. I've also noticed that apostate teachings can be introduced to us in subtle forms. It's made its way into the media and Hollywood and presented to us in a form of entertainment. If we're not careful, those ideas could wedge its way into our minds without our noticing. That is why we should always live and walk by spirit in order guard our "spiritual fortresses", so to speak. Only one solution comes to mind: personal study and prayer. One of the easiest, yet hardest things to do (IMO) haha. =D
Agreed. The thing I got out of today's daily scripture was how we need to apply the fruitage of the spirit into our daily lives. It may be the most difficult thing to do but I think making a goal for every month in showing each fruitage is a start. By 'trying' to display this fruitage it really covers a multitude of our imperfections. Such as congregation problems, issues with others, daily life, enduring, doing our best as individuals as well as accommodating peace and unity within the congregation, how we treat our loved ones, etc.
ReplyDeleteI see where you're coming from! Attempting to display the fruitage of the spirit by breaking each one down and improving one at a time? Very nice. But for me, I'm going to need an entire year for each one hahaha
ReplyDeleteApostasy is scary. I've encountered a few different kinds of it, but one time that i remember clearly in my head was a guy that used to study with JW and he was a friend and co-worker. He asked a few incredibly faith shaking questions that i was no where near ready for. It happened over 4 years ago but it still shadows me sometimes today.
ReplyDeleteWhat i realized from this though is that faith that can be bended, can be shaken, is faith that lacks a sincerely strong bond of friendship and love with Jehovah God.
The fruitage of the spirit protects us but also lets us feel like what it is to possess "godly" qualities.
If a close friend had a great measure of generosity, by trying to mimic that generosity, i think you will be able to understand what your friend feels, and through that understanding, love that aspect of your friend more.
For example, if we focus on long suffering, we can start to feel that long suffering and patience and waiting puts a toll on us. We can learn that God has expressed so much long suffering when dealing with the isrealite people, and we can begin to understand that it is a precious quality to have. We appreciate that God has this quality because if we ourselves express it we see how much benefits it reaps in our relationship with others. That should make us feel that we are again, indebted to be in the receiving side of God's Long suffering...
That's deep. I can tell you put a lot of thought and meditation into it. Very nice, sir!
ReplyDeleteAndy, you sometimes surprise me with your amazing thoughts. Thanks! I definitely got something out of today's daily text. :D
ReplyDeleteyay kevin!
ReplyDeletesometimes i find myself thinking that cultivating and having the fruitage of the spirit as being more of a state-of-being.. as simple as BEING loving, BEING joyful, and so on. but as today's text shows, it really is a dynamic activity... so aptly described as "walking" by holy spirit.
just made me think that if we aren't constantly BUSY in Jehovah's work, we're not fit to be endowed with these godly qualities.
Tell me about it. Personal study time is much needed. I had a question asked me to me kinda dealing with apostasy and it made me wonder. Anyways as the text showed we need to be ready all the time so being spiritually strong is a must, but also we should be helping those that arent doing so great as well.
ReplyDeletehey slacker! wheres the rest?
ReplyDeleteUhhh what happened to you updating every week or day? haha anywhose I made a new blog kevin.
ReplyDeletehttp://myjoyofbaking.blogspot.com/