KING JESUS: A JOURNEY THROUGH MATTHEW'S GOSPEL (PT 15)

In Matthew 12:33-35, Jesus delivers a message about the power of our words, actions, and the condition of our hearts. He draws an analogy between a tree and its fruit, emphasizing that the nature of the tree is revealed by the quality of its fruit. Jesus challenges us to examine the overflow of our hearts, for it is from our hearts that our words and actions emerge. Our speech and action, whether good or evil, serves as a reflection of the true state of our hearts.
 
Similarly, in Galatians 5:16-23, the Apostle Paul addresses the spiritual battle between the flesh and the Spirit. He exhorts believers to walk by the Spirit, allowing His transformative power to guide their lives. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, highlighting the impact of our choices on our spiritual journey. Just as Jesus spoke of the tree and its fruit, Paul reminds us that our works reveal the nature of our spiritual condition.
 
My goal for today is to use Matthew 12:33 – 35 as our jumping off point but spend most of our time in Galatians 5:16- 25 as we flesh out and contrast what a life bearing bad fruit and one that bears good fruit looks like.
 
Matthew 12:33 – 35

Galatians 5:16 - 17
Vs 16: The Apostle Paul encourages believers to " let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. He emphasizes that when we live in alignment with and under the influence of the Spirit, we can resist the temptations of the flesh and sin.
 
To "let the Holy Spirit guide you" entails adjusting our lives to the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit. It means surrendering our will to His, allowing Him to direct our paths. It's important to grasp that living a Spirit-filled life is beyond our own human capability. By our very nature, we are inclined towards sinful desires—our flesh tends to dominate our actions and decisions.
 
However, through submission to Jesus Christ and dependence on the Holy Spirit, we can experience a transformative change. When we surrender our lives to Christ, the Spirit gains control, enabling us to resist the lure of fleshly desires. In essence, when we are under the influence of the Spirit, we naturally turn away from the flesh.
 
If we allow ourselves to be guided by the Spirit, we will not be drawn towards living lives dominated by sinful desires. It's a call to live in constant dependence on God's Spirit, trusting Him to lead and empower us to walk in righteousness.
 
Vs 17: Within us, there rages a battle between the flesh and the Spirit. These two are inherently incompatible—they cannot peacefully coexist. It is impossible to be both filled with the Spirit and controlled by the flesh simultaneously.
 
Some may dub individuals who claim to be Spirit-filled but whose lives contradict God's will as "carnal Christians." Yet, upon careful examination of Scripture, there is no support for such a classification. The start reality is: we are either driven by the Spirit or enslaved to the desires of the flesh.


Yet, in moments of weakness and selfishness, the flesh may momentarily influence over us and it is crucial for believers to yield to the Spirit's indwelling presence. We must daily seek His guidance and empowerment through prayer. When the allure of fleshly desires intensifies, our prayers should only grow more urgent.
 
Though the flesh may persistently assail us, we must not succumb to its control. For it is the Holy Spirit who resides within us, empowering us to resist temptation and live in alignment with God's will. Without the Spirit's intervention, we are powerless to overcome the flesh's grip on our lives.
 
Galatians 5:18
The Works of the Flesh
Vs 18:  Paul begins by contrasting the Spirit-filled and flesh-controlled life.  He says, “But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.” Obligation implies one who is attached to an attendant.  Thus, if you are attached to the Spirit then you are not attached to the law.  If you are a follower of Jesus Christ then you have been released from the oppression of the law and you are now under grace, faith and love through Jesus Christ.
 
2 Corinthians 3:16 – 18
  The veil signifies separation between God and humanity.  So, when one comes faith in Jesus Christ this veil is removed, and we now have access to the Father at any time.
 
And in this we see that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and the same.  Where the Spirit is there is freedom – Freedom from the law, guilt, sin, and death.   Since we are free in Christ we begin and continue in a process of becoming more like Christ… we are transformed into his image.  When we are transformed into his image, we become Spirit-filled (under the influence of the Spirit) and our desire is no longer for the flesh.  You will become more like Christ. If you do not have the Spirit, then you will be controlled by the flesh and it will be evident by the bad fruit you produce. 
 
Galatians 5:19 - 21
The Fruit of the Flesh
Vs 19 - 21: – Those devoid of the Holy Spirit inevitably yield fruit that reflects their allegiance to the flesh. Such individuals often exhibit one, many, or all of the following traits:

• Sexual immorality: Engaging in illicit sexual activity, including adultery, fornication, or incest, accompanied by a disregard for moral boundaries and a selfish pursuit of pleasure.
• Moral impurity and promiscuity: Living without moral restraint, prioritizing personal gratification over ethical considerations, akin to living in a state devoid of moral compass.
• Idolatry: Worshiping entities or pursuits other than God, elevating worldly desires above spiritual devotion.
• Sorcery: Delving into occult practices, often involving drug use and the manipulation of spiritual forces.
• Hostility: Embracing a demeanor marked by animosity and ill-will towards others.
• Quarreling: Engaging in contentious disputes, fostering discord and bitterness through verbal altercation or perpetual negativity.
• Jealousy: Experiencing resentment towards others due to perceived advantages or successes.
• Outbursts of anger: Succumbing to fits of intense rage, characterized by unbridled emotional outpouring.
• Selfish ambitions: Pursuing personal interests at the expense of others, often resulting in hostility and opposition.
• Dissensions: Sowing seeds of discord among groups or individuals, inciting anger and division.
• Division: Fragmenting communities based on differing beliefs or loyalties, leading to further disunity.
• Envy: Nursing ill-will towards others due to perceived advantages or successes.
• Drunkenness: Indulging in excessive alcohol consumption, resulting in impaired judgment and loss of control.
• Wild parties: Engaging in hedonistic revelry marked by unrestrained indulgence in alcohol and accompanying immoral behavior.
  
  

These traits serve as telltale signs of a life governed by the flesh rather than the Spirit. As believers, it is paramount for us to surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to produce fruit in our lives that reflects His presence and guidance.
 
Galatians 5:22 - 23
The Fruit of the Spirit
Since there is a battle going between the flesh and Spirit it is important for us to know what the Spirit-filled believer’s life is based upon.
 
Vs 22-23.  
Fruit, in its essence, embodies the manifestation or outcome of something. It serves as tangible evidence or a visible result of a particular influence or source.

1. Love (Agape): This transcendent form of love is characterized by a profound regard and affection for others, grounded in genuine appreciation and high esteem.
2. Joy: It encompasses a deep sense of gladness and happiness, reflecting a state of thriving and well-being. Joy is realized through the experience of freedom, particularly within the context of fellowship and community.
3. Peace: Amidst turmoil and conflict, peace signifies a state of exemption from rage and havoc. It entails safety from harm and embodies a tranquil assurance of salvation in Christ, fostering contentment and fearlessness in one's spiritual journey.
4. Patience: Endurance and long-suffering mark this quality, as one exhibits a deliberate slowness to anger and a willingness to endure adversity without complaint or irritation.
5. Kindness: Integral to integrity and moral goodness, kindness is demonstrated through benevolent and compassionate actions, often expressed through providing assistance or support to others.
6. Goodness: This trait reflects the upright and honorable qualities of the heart and life. It entails a consistent commitment to moral excellence, characterized by the continual pursuit of virtuous conduct.
7. Faithfulness: Those who possess faithfulness can be relied upon and trusted. They inspire confidence and demonstrate unwavering dependability in their actions and commitments.
8. Gentleness: A gentle spirit is marked by a mild and gracious disposition, expressed through gentle attitudes and behaviors towards others.
9. Self-Control: Mastery over desires and passions, particularly sensual appetites, defines self-control. It involves disciplined restraint and moderation in one's actions and responses.

 
These qualities collectively form the fruit of the Spirit, serving as evidence of a life deeply rooted in the transformative influence of God's presence.
 
Conclusion
In looking at Matthew 12:33-35 and Galatians 5:16-23, we are confronted with the truth: that our lives are defined by the fruit we bear. Just as Jesus likened the nature of a tree to the quality of its fruit, and Paul delineated between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, we are reminded that our words, actions, and attitudes reveal the condition of our hearts.
 
In this we are challenged to consider the source from which our actions originate. The works of the flesh, as outlined in Galatians 5:19-21, are indicative of a life driven by selfish desires and worldly pursuits. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit, delineated in verses 22-23, reflects the transformative power of God's presence in our lives.
 
Ultimately, our lives bear witness to the influences that define us. Whether we are led by the flesh or guided by the Spirit, our words, actions, and attitudes speak volumes about the condition of our hearts. May we continually surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to produce fruit in our lives that reflects His presence and guidance. Let us strive to bear fruit that glorifies God and testifies to His transformative work within us.

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