From the recording 77 Lessons of Life #67-77
Lyrics
Lesson 70 of 77
The Divine Fruit
By Lawrence DeMetrius
There is something extraordinary about Divine Fruit. First of all, neither it or its elements are of mortal or terrestrial quality. Apostle Paul writes,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
[Gal 5:22, 23a]
Proper knowledge and understanding about the Divine Fruit will provide better insight into its extraordinary value and quality. Per Apostle Paul’s statement...
*fruit Gk #2590 karpos (kar-pos) which is fruit as plucked
So then, Divine Fruit is not that which is in its ripening stage, but is fruit that is already ripe, off the vine and ready to be consumed.
*spirit Gk #4151 pneuma (pnyoo-mah) which is a current of air, breath, blast, or breeze
In Christ’s dialogue with Nicodemus the Pharisee, He explained that the spiritual nature of born-again believers is like that of wind, which is also attributed to the Holy Ghost. The Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
[St Jn 3:3-8]
• SPIRIT or PNEUMA also refers to…
o the human rational soul, vital principle, and mental disposition
o angelic beings (good and evil), Yahweh, the mind of Christ, and the Holy Ghost
Per this discourse, SPIRIT or PNEUMA refers to the Holy Ghost and those born-again thereof.
*love Gk #26 agape (ag-ah-pay) it is affection, benevolence or a love-fest where such is expressed
1. affection is fond attachment and devotion
2. benevolence is…
a. desire to do good to others
b. goodwill and charitableness
c. an act of kindness or a charitable gift
LOVE as an element of Divine Fruit, is what the Holy Ghost has towards those He loves. In fact, He is the Spirit of divine LOVE, by Whom divine LOVE is shed abroad in the hearts of born-again believers. Apostle Paul writes,
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
[Rm 5:5]
Apostle John writes,
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent HIS only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that HE loved us, and sent HIS Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and HIS love is perfected in us.
Hereby know we that we dwell in HIM, and HE in us, because HE hath given us of HIS Spirit.
[I Jn 4:7-13]
The LOVE of the Holy Ghost expressed amongst the brethren of Christ, proves their relationship to Christ Who said,
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.
[Jn 13:34, 35]
The LOVE of the Holy Ghost is not private but is expressed openly for all to see. The Lord Jesus said,
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
[Mt 5:16]
The LOVE of the Holy Ghost is the most powerful weapon of spiritual warfare. Without it, no other weapon of spiritual warfare can be effectively operated. Apostle Paul writes,
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way <the way of LOVE>.
[I Cor 12:31]
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
[I Cor 13:13]
The LOVE of the Holy Ghost is what empowers born-again believers to worship THE LORD exclusively WHO said,
Thou shalt have no other gods before ME.
[Exo 20:3]
King Solomon writes,
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep HIS commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
[Eccl 12:13]
The Lord Jesus said,
If ye love Me, keep My commandments.
He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.
If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and WE will come unto him, and make OUR abode with him.
He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.
[Jn 14:15, 21, 23, 24]
Apostle John writes,
For this is the love of God, that we keep HIS commandments: and HIS commandments are not grievous.
[I Jn 5:3]
The LOVE of the Holy Ghost is what empowers born-again believers to do right toward self and others. King Solomon writes,
I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early <or diligently> shall find Me.
Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep My ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors.
For whoso findeth Me findeth life and shall obtain favor of the LORD.
But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate Me love death.
[Pro 8:17, 32-36]
He that keepeth the commandment <of the LORD> keepeth his own soul:
[Pro 19:16a]
Apostle Paul writes,
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
[Gal 5:14, 16, 17, 24, 25]
Finally, the LOVE of the Holy Ghost is right doing in action. Apostle Paul writes,
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
[Gal 6:7-9]
*joy Gk #5479 chara (khar-ah) it is cheerfulness and calm delight
• cheer (noun) is a…
o shout of encouragement, approval, and congratulations
o set or traditional form of shout used by spectators to encourage or show enthusiasm for an athletic team or contestant
The Elect are certainly those who are running a race toward spiritual perfection, where the focus is not swiftness or mortal strength, but on reaching the finish line of spiritual perfection. Apostle Paul writes,
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So, run that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
[I Cor 9:24-27]
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
[Phil 3:20, 21]
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[Heb 12:1, 2]
It is befitting to recognize the Holy Ghost as One Who CHEERS the Elect on to spiritual perfection. He does so through the word He inspires throughout all generations.
• cheer is…
o a source that gives joy, gladness, encouragement and comfort
o the state of feeling or spirits within the mind
o gladness, gaiety, or animation, namely in Christ
o food and drink especially that which nourishes one’s inner being
• delight (noun) is…
o a high degree of pleasure and enjoyment
o something that gives great pleasure
• rapture (noun) is…
o ecstatic joy or delight
o an utterance or expression of ecstatic delight
o ecstasy that is filled with joy
o the act of carrying off and away of a person to another place or sphere of existence
The JOY and DELIGHT of the Holy Ghost is to re-enforce the truth of Christ and His Word within born-again believers. The Lord Jesus said,
Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
[Jn 16:13]
*longsuffering Gk #3115 makrothumia (mak-roth-oo-mee-ah) it is…
• longanimity which is patient endurance of hardship, injuries, and offense
• forbearance which is…
o the act of forbearing and a refraining from something
o forbearing conduct or quality and patient endurance
o self-control and an abstaining from the enforcement of a right
• fortitude is mental and emotional strength while facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation
*gentleness Gk #5544 chrestotes (khray-stot-ace) it is usefulness and moral excellence in character
• excellence is…
o the account of features and traits that form the individual nature of a person or thing
o moral or ethical quality
o qualities of honesty and courage
o integrity and good repute
o demeanor, conduct and behavior
None of the above have anything to do with one’s academic accolades, certifications, social class, charisma or financial disposition. It does depict one’s innate and true nature.
*goodness Gk #19 agathosune (ag-ath-o-soo-nay) it is virtue and beneficence
• virtue is…
o moral excellence and righteousness
o conformity of one's life and conduct to moral and ethical principles
o uprightness, chastity, and virginity
o a particular moral excellence and a good or admirable quality or property
o effective force, power, potency and valor
• beneficence is…
o the doing of good or charity
o active goodness and kindness
o a beneficent act or gift
This is certainly a characteristic of Yahweh and HIS actions toward all creation, namely mortals. Yahweh said through Prophet Jeremiah,
I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight.
[Jer 9:24b]
Prophet Jeremiah also writes,
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because HIS compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is THY faithfulness.
[Lam 3:22]
*faith Gk #4102 pistis (pis-tis) it is…
1. persuasion and credence
2. moral conviction of religious truth, the truthfulness of Yahweh and a religious teacher
3. reliance upon Christ for salvation and constancy of such profession
4. the system of religious truth based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ
A SYSTEM includes the elements of a thing and how they function. The FAITH of the Holy Ghost is a weapon of spiritual warfare without which one can neither please Yahweh nor be protected from satanic attacks.
The book of Hebrews notes,
But without faith it is impossible to please HIM: for he that cometh to God must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM.
[Heb 11:6]
Apostle Paul writes,
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[Eph 6:11, 12, 16]
Apostle John writes,
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
[I Jn 5:4, 5]
*meekness Gk #4236 praiotes (prah-ot-ace) it is gentleness and humility
• gentleness is being…
o kindly and not severe, rough, or violent
o mild, moderate and gradual
o of good birth or family and wellborn
o honorable and respectable
o easily handled or managed
o polite, noble, and refined
• humility is…
o the quality or condition of being humble
o modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance or rank
*temperance Gk #1466 egkrateia (eng-krat-i-ah) it is self-control and continence
• self-control is control or restraint of oneself or one's actions and feelings
• continence is…
o self-restraint or abstinence
o temperance and moderation
Apostle Paul continues his thought concerning Divine Fruit writing,
…against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
[Gal 5:24]
*law Gk #3551 nomos (nom-os) it is…
• law through the idea of prescriptive usage
• general regulation, specifically, the volume of laws given through Moses
• the Gospel of Jesus Christ
*crucified Gk #4717 stauroo (stow-ro-o) it means to…
• impale on the cross
• extinguish or subdue wicked passions or selfishness
*flesh Gk #4561 sarx (sarx) it is…
• flesh as stripped of the skin and strictly the meat of an animal as food
• the terrestrial body as opposed to the soul or spirit bodies
• the symbol of what is external and the means of kindred
• human nature with its physical and moral frailties and passions
• humans as such
*affections Gk #3804 pathema (path-ay-mah) it is something undergone, hardship or pain and an emotion or influence
This refers to AFFECTIONS of the carnal nature, which is not and cannot be subject to divine rule.
*lusts Gk #1939 epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-meh-o) it is a longing especially for that which is forbidden
*live Gk #2198 zao (dzah-o) it means to live literally or figuratively
*walk Gk #4743 stigme (stig-may) it is a point of time, an instant, or a moment
This surely refers to any amount of one’s mortal lifetime after their spiritual regeneration and reconciliation back into divine worship. Again, the extraordinary thing about Divine Fruit is that neither it or its elements are of mortal or terrestrial quality. Its nature is completely out of this world and attributed only to the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost and His fruit are available to every born-again mortal, who truly believes on Jesus Christ as the scriptures have said. The Lord Jesus said,
If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.
He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
<Apostle John reiterates> (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
[Jn 7:37-39]
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