As we have learned with the other qualities in the Fruit of the Spirit, we can grow goodness by walking in step with the Spirit, by spending time with him, by asking him repeatedly, “Spirit, infuse me with your goodness.” This is what Jesus was teaching when he talked about abiding in him, remaining inContinue reading “Some practical steps to increase your goodness – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 5”
Tag Archives: Apostle Paul
The complexity of defining goodness – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 4
This week we are studying the quality of goodness, which is listed in the Fruit of the Spirit. What we’re going to find is that defining goodness is not as simple as it might seem. We learned in the previous post that numerous Psalms declare that God is good. In today’s post we jump overContinue reading “The complexity of defining goodness – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 4”
You good? – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 1
“You good?” Have you ever said that to someone? Maybe a person appears to be coughing or choking, and as they struggle to maintain composure, we say, “You good?” After they regain composure, they respond, “It’s all good.” Or maybe a person has a particularly emotional reaction to a situation, a reaction that we thinkContinue reading “You good? – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 1”
Oh my goodness! – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Preview
“Oh my goodness!!!” How many of you say that phrase? Usually we say “oh my goodness” when we feel surprised, disappointed or disgusted. Why, then, do we not just say “I am surprised,” or “I am disgusted”? Certainly there are times when we do say, “I am surprise” or “I am disgusted,” but my guessContinue reading “Oh my goodness! – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Preview”
What to do when kindness doesn’t work – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 4
This week we are studying kindness, so let’s go back to our definition of kindness. Kindness is “to provide something beneficial for someone as an act of kindness.”[1] My college, Lancaster Bible College, has an annual mission conference. During the years Michelle and I were students, the mid 1990s, one feature of the mission conferenceContinue reading “What to do when kindness doesn’t work – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 4”
The antidote to unkindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 2
In the previous post, I mentioned that unkindness has power. We humans can wield unkindness as a weapon to benefit us. And we often do. Yet, in the process of being unkind, we leave a trail a bodies. What is the antidote to unkindness? As we continue our study through the Fruit of the Spirit,Continue reading “The antidote to unkindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 2”
The frustrating difficulty of kindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Preview
“Just be kind!” I can’t tell you how many times those three words have been uttered inside my house. The reason why we have said those words so often over the years is because people in my house are not treating each other with kindness. Usually this bad behavior is the outflow of sibling rivalryContinue reading “The frustrating difficulty of kindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Preview”
Forgiveness as necessary for patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 5
As we walk in step with the Spirit, we will have the Spirit’s empowerment to live patiently. That means we will be patient with others. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul writes, “[W]e urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” Wait, Paul…everyone? What Paul isContinue reading “Forgiveness as necessary for patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 5”
How to grow patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 3
What does growing patience look like? In Proverbs 19:11 we read that “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Patience is rooted in wisdom. Proverbs are illustrations of what is a wise course of action almost all the time. There will be exceptions to the rule whenContinue reading “How to grow patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 3”
Better to be a late bloomer, than a flash in the pan – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 1
I recently started using my phone to pay at the store. At the checkout, all you have to do is double tap on your phone’s fingerprint sensor, hold the phone up to the credit card reader, wait a second for the lights to flash green, and you’re done. The receipt comes flying out of theContinue reading “Better to be a late bloomer, than a flash in the pan – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 