By: Sherry Myers
Over the next several months we will be looking at the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. We will take a close look at one fruit each month. First , let’s take a look at what Galatians 5:22-23 has to say: “22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” There are a total of nine fruits listed in this scripture. The number “9” is used 49 times in the scripture and symbolizes divine completeness or conveys the meaning of finality. Perhaps when we master walking in these fruits we will be closer to a wholeness of being.
The first fruit listed is “love.” Love in this scripture comes from the Greek word “Agape” meaning: 1) brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence and 2) love feasts. The strong feel for this word is unity and good will for others. The “Love feasts” was used for certain religious meals among early Christians that seem to have been originally related to the Eucharist. In modern times it relates to a Christian ritual meal. The Eucharist is also called Holy Communion or The Lord’s Supper. The interesting thought here is that we are walking in love when we take communion.
Most of us understand that we need to walk in love towards each other. This is a feat easier said than done. There is no disclaimer that gives the o.k. to walk in anger or hated when we have been wronged. There are many instances that can lead us to build walls or react incorrectly.
If we look at the scripture just before the fruits, it lists the fruits of the flesh. The opposite of love is hatred and is listed as one of the fruis of the flesh. The Greek word for hatred is Echthra and means: 1) enmity and 2) cause of enmity. Enmity is a state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to something or someone. This is a fruit that we are called not to walk in. One big warning at the end of the fruits of the flesh is that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
If hatred has the potential to take the kingdom of God from us, it behooves us to lay down any negative emotions and kill them at the root before they become a toxic poison to us. We must choose to walk in love and unity with our brothers and sisters and choose life.
If you are struggling with emotions and need help and guidance to move into the freedom that God wants for your life, please contact Cheryl with Perhaps Today Ministries at www.Perhaps-Today.com.
