The Holy Spirit and Spirituality

The Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit

Lesson #7 for February 18, 2017

Scriptures: [John 15:1-12; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 5:9; Matthew 5:5][1].

1.    Galatians 5:22-23 has become a key passage for understanding our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Interestingly enough, it uses the singular word fruit to describe nine different characteristics. Is God trying to tell us that all of these characteristics come together at the same time? Some have suggested that if you have love, the rest of the fruit will come.

2.    All of these characteristics were present in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus, it would be fair to say living a life like that of Jesus Christ is the goal. It is certainly not possible to gain these characteristics by our own effort. As suggested by John 15:1-12, the true fruit of the Spirit comes from living a life that is truly Christ-like. Would it give us joy and happiness?

3.    Could some of these characteristics be developed just by human effort? The real and full fruit of the Spirit can be developed only by a continuous connection with Jesus Christ.

4.    Read John 15:1-12[2]. Does exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit involve bringing others to the gospel? Read John 13:34-35[3]. If we had all of those nine characteristics and lived them on a daily basis, would that attract others? Or, repel them? Francis of Assisi is reported to have said: “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” Jesus was the most righteous Person who ever lived on earth; He attracted sinners despite infuriating the “saints.” Why was that? Was it only because of His miracles?

5.    Christians talk about justification by faith, sanctification by faith, and salvation by faith. What is the common theme? Obviously, it is faith. So, what is faith?

6.    The best definition of faith that I know was developed gradually and with a lot of study of the subject by A. Graham Maxwell, my personal mentor. Summarizing much of what the Bible and Ellen White have said on the subject, he concluded as he stated m any times:

Faith is just a word we use to describe a relationship with God as with a Person well-known. The better we know Him, the better the relationship may be. [We cannot say, “will be” because we remember the story of Lucifer!]

Faith implies an attitude toward God of love, trust, and deepest admiration.

It means having enough confidence in God based on the more-than-adequate evidence revealed to be willing to believe what He says as soon as we are sure He is the One saying it, to accept what He offers as soon as we are sure He is the One offering it, and to do what He wishes as soon as we are sure He is the One wishing it without reservation for the rest of eternity. Anyone who has such faith would be perfectly safe to save. This is why faith is the only requirement for heaven.

Faith also means that, like Abraham, [(Genesis 18:22-33[4])] Job, [(Job 42:7-8[5])] and Moses, [(Exodus 32:5-14[6]; Numbers 14:11-25[7])] God’s friends, we know God well enough to reverently ask Him, “Why?” [Sentence in brackets was also stated parenthetically many times by Dr. Maxwell. Bible texts in brackets are added.]

7.    Doesn’t that sound a lot like abiding in the Vine? And it happens through Bible study, prayer, and witnessing. These three things are a vital combination without which we cannot expect to have a living, thriving, relationship with Jesus. But, it will involve giving up our selfishness and pride, and it will include choosing to do what God wants us to do for Him. Real agape love would be the basis for all the other characteristics, and that is not natural for selfish human beings. Agape love is altruistic. Those are the ways we get to know Jesus. Often, those who need love the most are the least lovable.

8.    How do we abide in Christ? How do we develop that permanent, lasting relationship with Him? If a significant number of us could do that, how long would it be before we would see the second coming? Do we really know what is needed? Do we know how to love as Jesus did? Consider the following words from Ellen White.

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ.

And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages 668.3; LHU 178.5; BLJ 31.4. [Bold type is added.] How long will that process take?

9.    “Every good tree bears good fruit; but the rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit.” (Matthew 7:17-18, NASB)

10.    Read 2 Timothy 3:5[8]. The New Living Translation paraphrases Paul’s words suggesting, people “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” So, what is the difference between living a religious life and a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit?

11.    How would you describe the lives of faithful Pharisees? How would you describe the lives of modern Christians who refuse to accept the teachings of the Bible as believed and taught by Seventh-day Adventists and instead cling to popular Christianity? Is the average Adventist really a better Christian than the average Baptist? Or, Methodist? Or, Catholic?

12.    Read [Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13][9]. Why do you suppose Paul listed love as the first characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit? True religion is being truly loving.

13.    Remember that Jesus said that love to God and love to our fellow humans are the two great commandments. (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28) What are the relationships among these two great commandments and the fruit of the Spirit? If we invite Christ into our lives and learn to really love God and our fellow humans, wouldn’t it lead to the production of the other characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?

14.    Read [Luke 6:27-28; Romans 5:8][10]. Compare Matthew 5:44 (GNB): “Love your enemies.”

15.    Read John 13:35[11]. Are those words still true? Or, have Christian principles so permeated the Western world that even non-Christians are expected to act like Christians?

16.    Scan briefly 1 Corinthians 12 and 14[12]. Why do you think 1 Corinthians 13 comes between these two chapters which deal with the gifts of the Spirit? Love, as stated in 1 Corinthians, certainly is an essential fruit of the spirit.

17.    There are many Christians who feel that certain gifts of the Spirit are the most important markings of a true saint. But, Paul seemed to suggest that true Christian love-agape love-is more important than any gift of the Spirit. Is true love the glue that binds together all other virtues of the fruit the Spirit?

18.    Consider your own life. Do you exhibit true Christian love in every aspect of your life? Does God expect us to love the people with whom we work? How should that be manifested? Are we kind, considerate, and willing to carry our share of the work load each day? Could we actually go the extra mile and do more than our share by helping others when they get behind in their work? Would that encourage them to be lazy?

19.    Read Romans 14:17[13]. What is joy? Is it the same as happiness? Does God expect us always to be joyful? Is that possible in the world in which we live?

20.    Consider what Ellen White wrote.

Smile, parents; smile, teachers. If your heart is sad, let not your face reveal the fact. Let the sunshine from a loving, grateful heart light up the countenance. Unbend from your iron dignity, adapt yourselves to the children’s needs, and make them love you. You must win their affection, if you would impress religious truth upon their heart.—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 21, 1882, par. 13; FE 68.3; CG 148.1; AH 432.2.

21.    Is that being phoney? Or, is it the real truth? Think of all that Jesus went through. But, He knew what the outcome would be if He remained faithful. The larger, overarching truth is that Jesus Christ has already won the great controversy; if we continue to abide in Him even if persecution comes and we are killed-like most of the disciples-we have the promise of eternal life with God. Isn’t that more important than any temporary problems facing us here? Isn’t that reason enough to be smiling and cheerful?

22.    To what extent is joy or happiness determined by local conditions? Is there a kind of joy that is deeply rooted in the fruit of the Spirit? Shouldn’t our trust in God give us abundant reasons to rejoice with unspeakable joy? Why did Jesus sometimes weep? (See John 11:35 and Matthew 23:37.)[14]

23.    Read [John 14:27 and Romans 14:17][15]. What is the relationship between peace and the work of the Holy Spirit?

24.    If we, like Jesus, have that abiding relationship with God, we will not allow anything to come between us and our loving heavenly Father. That will prove to be an eternal basis of peace. Paul was confined in a filthy dungeon when he wrote the following words.

2 Timothy 3:12 (GNB): Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

25.    Paul was almost certain that he would soon be killed by Nero; (2 Timothy 4:6-8[16]) and yet, he was not afraid and wrote words of comfort and peace to his spiritual son, Timothy.

26.    Read Romans 5:1. “Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (GNB) Is that always true? Was Jesus always peaceful despite the many troubles that He went through? Isn’t God a God of peace? (Philippians 4:9; Romans 12:18)[17]

27.    Read 2 Peter 3:9[18]. God is patient because He wants everyone to be saved. If we have true Christian love, shouldn’t we want everyone to be saved? Patient endurance will be one of the special characteristics of God’s end-time people.

Revelation 14:12 (GNB): This calls for endurance on the part of God’s people, those who obey God’s commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

28.    It certainly does not even need to be mentioned that patience is not a natural human characteristic. But, it should also be obvious that impatience will make us unfit for the kingdom of heaven. Do you experienced joy, peace, and patience in your life on a daily basis?

29.    Read 1 Corinthians 13:4 in the “love chapter.” Could we be described as “patient and kind ... not jealous or conceited or proud”? (GNB)

30.    Think how patient God was and how kind He was toward the children of Israel. (Hosea 11:1-4) Is there anything that discredits our Christian testimony and ministry more than a lack of kindness. If we see someone committing wrong against another and we manage to reprove them in kindness, how does that impact them?

31.    Read Ephesians 5:9[19]. Notice that along with goodness, we must have righteousness and truth. Righteousness means right living; goodness is love in action.

32.    Another characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. Would it be correct to say that faithfulness means trustworthiness, even reliability? Notice that God faithfully keeps His promises. (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)[20] Jesus Christ Himself is described as a faithful Witness. (Revelation 1:5) By being faithful we can reflect the image of God.

It is not the great results we attain, but the motives from which we act, that weigh with God. He prizes goodness and faithfulness more than the greatness of the work accomplished.—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 510.2-511.0.

33.    Read [Galatians 5:23; compare Matthew 5:5][21]. Humility and self-control are not natural human characteristics. But, Jesus Himself told us that the humble will receive what God has promised. Why does God value humility so much? Think of Moses.

34.    Notice carefully that meekness and humility are not equal to weakness. Moses was the meekest man on this earth. (Numbers 12:3[22]) But, he was a powerful leader of God’s people. What does it mean to be meek? The meek are not boisterous, quarrelsome, or selfishly aggressive. They go about their daily lives, exhibiting a gentle spirit.

35.    Even Solomon said in Proverbs 16:32 (GNB): “It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.”

36.    As listed in Galatians 5, the last of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. What kind of selfcontrol was being suggested? It certainly does not mean being able to do anything our natural selves want to do! It means being so in tune with God that we only want to do what we know is the right thing to do which is what God wants us to do. This means control not only over food and drink but also over every aspect of our lives. Are there aspects of your life in which you are definitely not self-controlled?

In modern language the passage in Galatians 5:22, 23 could read something like this: “The Fruit of the Spirit is an affectionate, lovable disposition, a radiant spirit and a cheerful temper, a tranquil mind and a quiet manner, a forbearing patience in provoking circumstances and with trying people, a sympathetic insight and tactful helpfulness, generous judgment and a big-souled charity, loyalty and reliableness under all circumstances, humility that forgets self in the joy of others, in all things self-mastered and self-controlled, which is the final mark of perfecting. This is the kind of character that is the Fruit of the Spirit. Everything is in the word Fruit. It is not by striving, but by abiding; not by worrying, but by trusting; not of works, but of faith.”—S. Chadwick, in Arthur Walkington Pink, The Holy Spirit (Bellingham, Wash.: Logos Bible Software, n.d.), chapter 30.—As quoted in Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, Friday, February 17, 2017.

If the love of the truth is in your heart, you will talk of the truth. You will talk of the blessed hope that you have in Jesus. If you have love in your heart, you will seek to establish and build up your brother in the most holy faith. If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of your friend or brother, do not encourage this evil-speaking. It is the work of the enemy.

Kindly remind the speaker that the Word of God forbids that kind of conversation.—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, June 5, 1888, par. 6; RH July 27, 1911, par. 6; TMK 153.5; YRP 76.3.

37.    To many people, justification or forgiveness is the very essence of Christianity. So, why is it necessary for us to develop self-control and victory over sin?

What say the testimonies concerning these things? Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. The prevalence of a sinful desire shows the delusion of the soul. Every indulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’s aversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords with which Satan binds men in his snares. Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 53.2; Mar 82.6. [Bold type is added.]

38.    What do you think? Is the fruit of the Spirit more important than any gift of the Spirit? Would God dare to bless us with the gifts of the Spirit if we do not already have the fruit of the Spirit? If we are going to reach the place where we can love our enemies, aren’t death to self and abiding in Christ absolutely essential?

39.    So, how do we abide in Christ? Clearly, Bible study, prayer along with Christian meditation, and witnessing to others need to be an essential part of each of our lives. Could you be an authentic Christian without the fruit of the Spirit? How do you respond when you are under a lot of stress? Do you always respond with love, kindness, patience, and self-control?

40.    What would happen to Seventh-day Adventists as a church if we determined to set aside some time each day to spend quietly with Jesus Christ? How long would it take for us to be transformed? Or, is this process of beholding and becoming changed a process that will go on forever?

41.    Do you truly honor and worship Jesus Christ? Do you think of Him as the model for your life? Remember that Jesus said that to love God and our fellow human beings is the essence of Christianity, the two great commandments. Is it possible to love God and not love the people around us?

42.    Read Galatians 5:17,24[23]. In light of what we have studied, what does it mean to walk in the Spirit? Does that always involve crucifying the flesh?

Modern medical research has discovered that a plant-based diet reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, most cancers, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. You do not need a different diet to reduce the risk of each one of these diseases.

Eating a wide variety of fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables reduces not only the risk of coronary artery disease but also the risk of other killer diseases of the twenty-first century.—Adult Teacher’s Sabbath School Bible Study Guide 95.4.

43.    Have you experienced what it means to come to Jesus, abide in Him, and rest in His love? What difference did it make in your life?

The root sends its nourishment through the branch to the outermost twig. So Christ communicates the current of spiritual strength to every believer. So long as the soul is united to Christ, there is no danger that it will wither or decay.

The life of the vine will be manifest in fragrant fruit on the branches. “He that abideth in Me,” said Jesus, “and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits [sic] of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages 676.3-4. [Content in brackets is added.]

44.    The key to experiencing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is not to have or to make a list of these characteristics on paper and work on them one by one. There is no way to achieve the goal of becoming like Jesus Christ without abiding in Him. And it is certainly not because Jesus does not want to abide with us that we fail to reach that goal. The question is, will we allow Him to abide with us?

45.    Read John 15:4,7[24]. What is the relationship between Bible study and abiding in Christ? It is by Bible study and prayer that we get to know Jesus better. This is not some mysterious or mystical process. Compare Romans 10:17.

It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity or goodness or truth. If self is his loftiest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted. Rather, he will constantly sink lower and lower. The grace of God alone has power to exalt man. Left to himself, his course must inevitably be downward.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy 555.1.

46.    What factors or issues in your life keep you from developing a vital, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ?

© 2017, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.    Info@theox.org

1-John 15:1 “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. 3 You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. 4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. 6 Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. 8 My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples. 9 I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.

Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

1 Corinthians 13:I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. 2 I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains—but if I have no love, I am nothing. 3 I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned[a]—but if I have no love, this does me no good.

4 Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; 5 love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; 6 love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

8 Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. 9 For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; 10 but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

11 When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways. 12 What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God's knowledge of me.

13 Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Romans 14:17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

Ephesians 5:9 for it is the light[a] that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Matthew 5:5 “Happy are those who are humble;

they will receive what God has promised!

2-John 15:1 “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. 3 You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. 4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. 6 Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. 8 My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples. 9 I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.

3-John 13:34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

4-Genesis 18:22 Then the two men left and went on toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. 23 Abraham approached the LORD and asked, “Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? 24 If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won't you spare it in order to save the fifty? 25 Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly.”

26 The LORD answered, “If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake.”

27 Abraham spoke again: “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything. 28 But perhaps there will be only forty-five innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few?”

The LORD answered, “I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five innocent people.”

29 Abraham spoke again: “Perhaps there will be only forty.”

He replied, “I will not destroy it if there are forty.”

30 Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, but I must speak again. What if there are only thirty?”

He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty.”

31 Abraham said, “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. Suppose that only twenty are found?”

He said, “I will not destroy the city if I find twenty.”

32 Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, and I will speak only once more. What if only ten are found?”

He said, “I will not destroy it if there are ten.” 33 After he had finished speaking with Abraham, the LORD went away, and Abraham returned home.

5-Job 42:7 After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you did not speak the truth about me, the way my servant Job did. 8 Now take seven bulls and seven rams to Job and offer them as a sacrifice for yourselves. Job will pray for you, and I will answer his prayer and not disgrace you the way you deserve. You did not speak the truth about me as he did.”

6-Exodus 32:5 Then Aaron built an altar in front of the gold bull-calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to honor the LORD.” 6 Early the next morning they brought some animals to burn as sacrifices and others to eat as fellowship offerings. The people sat down to a feast, which turned into an orgy of drinking and sex.

7 The LORD said to Moses, “Hurry and go back down, because your people, whom you led out of Egypt, have sinned and rejected me. 8 They have already left the way that I commanded them to follow; they have made a bull-calf out of melted gold and have worshiped it and offered sacrifices to it. They are saying that this is their god, who led them out of Egypt. 9 I know how stubborn these people are. 10 Now, don't try to stop me. I am angry with them, and I am going to destroy them. Then I will make you and your descendants into a great nation.”

11 But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God and said, “LORD, why should you be so angry with your people, whom you rescued from Egypt with great might and power? 12 Why should the Egyptians be able to say that you led your people out of Egypt, planning to kill them in the mountains and destroy them completely? Stop being angry; change your mind and do not bring this disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember the solemn promise you made to them to give them as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and to give their descendants all that land you promised would be their possession forever.” 14 So the LORD changed his mind and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

7-Numbers 14:11 The LORD said to Moses, “How much longer will these people reject me? How much longer will they refuse to trust in me, even though I have performed so many miracles among them? 12 I will send an epidemic and destroy them, but I will make you the father of a nation that is larger and more powerful than they are!”

13 But Moses said to the LORD, “You brought these people out of Egypt by your power. When the Egyptians hear what you have done to your people, 14 they will tell it to the people who live in this land. These people have already heard that you, LORD, are with us, that you appear in plain sight when your cloud stops over us, and that you go before us in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you kill all your people, the nations who have heard of your fame will say 16 that you killed your people in the wilderness because you were not able to bring them into the land you promised to give them. 17 So now, LORD, I pray, show us your power and do what you promised when you said, 18 ‘I, the LORD, am not easily angered, and I show great love and faithfulness and forgive sin and rebellion. Yet I will not fail to punish children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for the sins of their parents.’ 19 And now, LORD, according to the greatness of your unchanging love, forgive, I pray, the sin of these people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”

20 The LORD answered, “I will forgive them, as you have asked. 21 But I promise that as surely as I live and as surely as my presence fills the earth, 22 none of these people will live to enter that land. They have seen the dazzling light of my presence and the miracles that I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, but they have tried my patience over and over again and have refused to obey me. 23 They will never enter the land which I promised to their ancestors. None of those who have rejected me will ever enter it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different attitude and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land which he explored, and his descendants will possess the land 25 in whose valleys the Amalekites and the Canaanites now live. Turn back tomorrow and go into the wilderness in the direction of the Gulf of Aqaba.”

8-2 Timothy 3:5 they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.

9-Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

1 Corinthians 13:1 I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. 2 I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains—but if I have no love, I am nothing. 3 I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned[a]—but if I have no love, this does me no good.

4 Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; 5 love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; 6 love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

8 Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. 9 For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; 10 but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

11 When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways. 12 What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God's knowledge of me.

13 Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

10-Luke 6:27 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 5:8 But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!

11-John 13:35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

12-1 Corinthians 12:1 Now, concerning what you wrote about the gifts from the Holy Spirit.

I want you to know the truth about them, my friends. 2 You know that while you were still heathen, you were led astray in many ways to the worship of lifeless idols. 3 I want you to know that no one who is led by God's Spirit can say “A curse on Jesus!” and no one can confess “Jesus is Lord,” without being guided by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. 6 There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. 7 The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. 8 The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. 9 One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal. 10 The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strange tongues, and to another he gives the ability to explain what is said. 11 But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.

One Body with Many Parts

12 Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. 13 In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink.

14 For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. 15 If the foot were to say, “Because I am not a hand, I don't belong to the body,” that would not keep it from being a part of the body. 16 And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not an eye, I don't belong to the body,” that would not keep it from being a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it smell? 18 As it is, however, God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be. 19 There would not be a body if it were all only one part! 20 As it is, there are many parts but one body.

21 So then, the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” Nor can the head say to the feet, “Well, I don't need you!” 22 On the contrary, we cannot do without the parts of the body that seem to be weaker; 23 and those parts that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty, 24 which the more beautiful parts do not need. God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it. 25 And so there is no division in the body, but all its different parts have the same concern for one another. 26 If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.

27 All of you are Christ's body, and each one is a part of it. 28 In the church God has put all in place: in the first place apostles, in the second place prophets, and in the third place teachers; then those who perform miracles, followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them or to speak in strange tongues. 29 They are not all apostles or prophets or teachers. Not everyone has the power to work miracles 30 or to heal diseases or to speak in strange tongues or to explain what is said. 31 Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts.

Best of all, however, is the following way.

14:1 It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God's message. 2 Those who speak in strange tongues do not speak to others but to God, because no one understands them. They are speaking secret truths by the power of the Spirit. 3 But those who proclaim God's message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort. 4 Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves, but those who proclaim God's message help the whole church.

5 I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues—unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped. 6 So when I come to you, my friends, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching.

7 Take such lifeless musical instruments as the flute or the harp—how will anyone know the tune that is being played unless the notes are sounded distinctly? 8 And if the one who plays the bugle does not sound a clear call, who will prepare for battle? 9 In the same way, how will anyone understand what you are talking about if your message given in strange tongues is not clear? Your words will vanish in the air! 10 There are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 But if I do not know the language being spoken, those who use it will be foreigners to me and I will be a foreigner to them. 12 Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church.

13 The person who speaks in strange tongues, then, must pray for the gift to explain what is said. 14 For if I pray in this way, my spirit prays indeed, but my mind has no part in it. 15 What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind. 16 When you give thanks to God in spirit only, how can ordinary people taking part in the meeting say “Amen” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They have no way of knowing what you are saying. 17 Even if your prayer of thanks to God is quite good, other people are not helped at all.

18 I thank God that I speak in strange tongues much more than any of you. 19 But in church worship I would rather speak five words that can be understood, in order to teach others, than speak thousands of words in strange tongues.

20 Do not be like children in your thinking, my friends; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown up in your thinking. 21 In the Scriptures it is written,

“By means of people speaking strange languages

I will speak to my people, says the Lord.

I will speak through lips of foreigners,

but even then my people will not listen to me.”

22 So then, the gift of speaking in strange tongues is proof for unbelievers, not for believers, while the gift of proclaiming God's message is proof for believers, not for unbelievers.

23 If, then, the whole church meets together and everyone starts speaking in strange tongues—and if some ordinary people or unbelievers come in, won't they say that you are all crazy? 24 But if everyone is proclaiming God's message when some unbelievers or ordinary people come in, they will be convinced of their sin by what they hear. They will be judged by all they hear, 25 their secret thoughts will be brought into the open, and they will bow down and worship God, confessing, “Truly God is here among you!”

Order in the Church

26 This is what I mean, my friends. When you meet for worship, one person has a hymn, another a teaching, another a revelation from God, another a message in strange tongues, and still another the explanation of what is said. Everything must be of help to the church. 27 If someone is going to speak in strange tongues, two or three at the most should speak, one after the other, and someone else must explain what is being said. 28 But if no one is there who can explain, then the one who speaks in strange tongues must be quiet and speak only to himself and to God. 29 Two or three who are given God's message should speak, while the others are to judge what they say. 30 But if someone sitting in the meeting receives a message from God, the one who is speaking should stop. 31 All of you may proclaim God's message, one by one, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 The gift of proclaiming God's message should be under the speaker's control, 33 because God does not want us to be in disorder but in harmony and peace.

As in all the churches of God's people, 34 the women should keep quiet in the meetings. They are not allowed to speak; as the Jewish Law says, they must not be in charge. 35 If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home. It is a disgraceful thing for a woman to speak in a church meeting.

36 Or could it be that the word of God came from you? Or are you the only ones to whom it came? 37 If anyone supposes he is God's messenger or has a spiritual gift, he must realize that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38 But if he does not pay attention to this, pay no attention to him.

39 So then, my friends, set your heart on proclaiming God's message, but do not forbid the speaking in strange tongues. 40 Everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.

13-Romans 14:17  Even if your prayer of thanks to God is quite good, other people are not helped at all.

14-John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Matthew 23:37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!

15-John 14:27 “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.

Romans 14:17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

16-2 Timothy 4:As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. 7 I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith.[a] 8 And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day—and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear.

17-Philippians 4:9 Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you.

Romans 12:18  Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.

18-2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.

19-Ephesians 5:9  for it is the light[a] that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

20-1 Corinthians 1:9 God is to be trusted, the God who called you to have fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and keep you safe from the Evil One.

21-Galatians 5:23 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

Matthew 5:5 “Happy are those who are humble;

they will receive what God has promised!

22-Numbers 12:3 Moses was a humble man, more humble than anyone else on earth.

23-Galatians 5:17 For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires.

24-John 15:4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it.

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