Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Works vs Fruit

I have often wondered why there are works of the flesh but only fruit of the spirit.

The Works: (Plural)
Galatians 5:19-21   (NKJV)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.

The Fruit: (Singular)
Galatians 5:22-23  (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.


It occurred to me. In the new testament we find references to show there are  evil spirits:

Matthew 12:43-45 NIV "When an evil* spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

Luke 8:30 NIV Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him.
And then there is THE Spirit.  The Holy Spirit
I Cor. 12:4 NIV There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Ephesians 4:4 NLT
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
 
Psalms 21:11 NIV Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.


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