The newest bible thumper nowadays is the “Fruit of the Spirit” found in Galatians 5:22-23. Oh, the twisting is very subtle, just like the scripture Satan used on Jesus when he tried to throw Him off the mountain! Have you had someone falsely accuse you of not exhibiting the “Fruit of the Spirit?”
Be careful with those popular memes! I saw a girl post a picture meme listing the nine “Fruits of the Spirit” from Galatians 5:22-23, and under the meme, commenting that the way to tell if someone is a “pretender” or if they are filled with the Spirit, is not by quoting scripture but by showing the good “Fruit of the Spirit.” She probably still doesn’t have a clue that she contradicted herself by posting scripture as she chastises people for quoting scripture! LOL!
There are two reasons we twist scripture: 1) It doesn’t line up with our own narrative; or, 2) We don’t really know what the Bible actually says!
Where do we get the “Fruit of the Spirit”? From scripture! And who are we to judge whether someone has the “fruits of the Spirit” or is a “pretender”? I need to point out here that no one—and I mean no one—can know the heart of another! (I’ve written about false assumptions several times on this blog.) Knowing a person’s heart is God’s job. But, alas, we humans still try to point out the faults in others in order to diminish the faults in ourselves (Matthew 7:1-5). We’re human.
Social media, especially Fakebook and Instagram, are perfect shields to hide behind. I know so many people who have a presence of goodness and perfection online, but in reality, they despise their mother, father, siblings, etc. (see Luke 12:53). The Apostle John says, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates (detests or despises) his brother (mother, father, sister, etc.), he is a liar…” (1st John 4:20-21) And also, “Whoever hates his brother (mother, father, sister, etc.) is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1st John 3:14-15) We should be very careful following people who project a picture-perfect life while criticizing and chastising others. Jesus himself warned us about assuming those people are sweetly perfect when he said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets…” (Luke 6:26-28). Jesus called those kinds of people hypocrites!
While these people on social media portray themselves as ever so sweet, kind, loving, and the best Christian since Christ—behind the façade they are so full of bitterness and hate that their hearts are whitewashed tombs, just as Jesus called the Pharisees! But, even back then, the general public was so deceived by the Pharisees’ virtuous outward appearance that they had no clue their hearts were dead! That’s why the Pharisee and the Sadducee tried so hard to shut him up; Jesus was exposing their true character. The “Fruits of the Spirit” they exhibited were so deceptive the admiring crowds yelled, “Crucify Him!” at their prompting. Of course, the fruits they grew were works based with the wrong spirit behind them. The priests and preachers of today, those who have been entrusted to lead the masses in spiritual matters, are in the same positions of spiritual authority as the Pharisee and Sadducee in Bible times. How many times do we hear of a fallen, very popular, and highly admired priest or preacher? Their secret sins and deception were exposed, and people saw the true condition of their hearts.
Are you really sure anyone has the Godly “Fruit of the Spirit” or if they are “pretenders”? Can you discern the heart behind the fruit? After all, doesn’t scripture say in Matthew 7:15-20, “Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.”?? So it would seem that you would be able to tell if someone is a Christian by all the good deeds they do, right? After all, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) So how can we tell if they have the right kind of fruit?
I’m reminded of the prophet, Samuel, when God told him to anoint the next king over Israel. In 1st Samuel 16:7, God tells Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” The oldest son was not only capable, but was good-looking too! After God rejected every son of Jesse, Samuel was dumbfounded. Then to find out there was one more, in the field, ruddy, and dirty, and happened to be the one God picked! Jesus said in John 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance.” How many times throughout biblical history was God’s choice the opposite of man’s choice? Tons! So how can we tell??
According to Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 12:33, and in Luke 6:43-45, we are known by our fruit!
And yet, in Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:6, and Matthew 6:17-18, we are to do our good deeds in secret! We do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing!
Again, how can we be known if our fruits are done in secret??
The answer is—we don’t. We leave the judging to God. We are only responsible for our own hearts. Not only that, but we speak His Word, even if those goody-two-shoes people criticize and condemn. Do we speak the truth about sin even when people accuse us of being mean and judgmental? Yes. Do we seek the truth about others, or believe the worst based on one-sided gossip? Seek truth. Do we love those who reject us? Yes. If someone we despise says hello or gives us a gift, do we have the simplest common courtesy to thank them, or do we toss it aside and ignore them? When was the last time you called your momma? ;)
While everyone is focusing on Galatians 5:22-23, where it says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control…” You’ve heard the slogan: Just be kind! BUT, we tend to skip over the previous verses, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
That’s where a person will know if they have the Godly “Fruit of the Spirit!” Yes, they may have a great reputation for sweetness and with the perfect online presence, never saying anything against a popular narrative; never lewd, never a murder, no smoking, no drugs or drinking, and never being caught dead at a bar! But, do they secretly hate? Do they push that perfect online presence out of their own selfish ambitions for their own personal kudos? Are they the older brother? God knows their hearts. They may not entertain the worst of sins, but we are all sinners nonetheless. Eventually, God will sift the sheep from the goats. Jesus will be the one to prune the branches, not your uppity keyboard warrior! So give it time. Those who hide secret sins (hatred, jealousies, dissensions, etc.) will eventually be exposed. Even if it takes a hundred years, ultimately, our true hearts will be known.
Until then…
“He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.” ~Proverbs 26:24-26
“These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.” ~Proverbs 6:16-19
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
.
**Highlights in color are links for more information.
.
Voice of Restoration 