TEMPLE TUESDAY
(4 in a series of 5)
2590 karpós – properly, fruit; (figuratively) everything done in true partnership with Christ, i.e. a believer (a branch) lives in union with Christ (the Vine). By definition, fruit (2590/karpós) results from two life-streams – the Lord living His life through ours – to yield what is eternal
The Greek word translated as “fruit” refers to the natural product of a living thing. It is singular, showing that “fruit” is a unified whole, not independent characteristics. When our body becomes a Temple the fruit of the Spirit will begin to grow and mature in us. Like physical fruit it needs time to grow, it will not ripen overnight. Like a gardener must diligently work to see the harvest, we must constantly be aware of the struggle between our flesh and Spirit in order to weed out our sinful nature and allow the fruit to flourish.
Scripture talks about fruit (characteristics) of the Spirit and gifts (talents) of the Spirit. Every person will not receive every gift but each person will receive the seed of the entire fruit. It’s up to us to bring that seed to harvest.
9 characteristics of the fruit:
LOVE
True, love is a choice, not a feeling. It deliberately expresses itself in loving ways and always seeks the welfare of others. It is unconditional not emotional.
JOY
A feeling of gladness based on our eternal circumstances, not on our fleeting earthly circumstances.
PEACE
Freedom from disturbance. Tranquility.
LONGSUFFERING
Patience, even when severely tested or tried. Enduring, persevering, uncomplaining, tolerant, forgiving.
GENTLENESS
Kindness, compassion, cautious.
GOODNESS
Living with good morals and motives. Nourishing, showing grace, mercy, righteousness.
FAITH
Unwavering, constant, complete trust and confidence in God.
MEEKNESS
Humbly conforming to the authority and will of God. Obedience.
TEMPERANCE
Self-control. The ability to manage impulses, emotions, and behaviors. Subdue the flesh.
The cleaner the Temple the more evident the fruit. Scripture is also very clear about the things that we need to diligently work to keep ourselves from:
- A proud look
- A lying tongue
- Hands that shed innocent blood
- An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
- Feet that be swift in running to mischief
- A false witness that speaketh lies
- He that soweth discord among brethren
Just like good fruit won’t grow in an uncared-for orchard or garden, our Temple needs to be well cared for to produce the best fruit. The Sprit in each Believer seeks to produce excellent fruit but, as we talked about last week, the flesh struggles against the Spirit. We must learn how to subdue our flesh by submitting to the Spirit.
Obeying Divine direction is easy to say, but difficult to practice. Divine direction comes in many ways. Prayer, Bible reading, meditation are common to all of us but there are also unique individual ways Divine communication can occur. God desires a personal relationship with each of us. Because He understands us better than anyone else could, He can speak with us individually, in unique ways that only we can understand.
Draw close to God and He will draw close to you, the closer you get the more clearly His Spirit can be heard. It’s a lifelong continual process that ebbs and flows. As we submit to the Spirit our Temple will be cleaned and our fruit will become abundant; that abundance is meant to be shared for the benefit of others as well as ourselves.
Next week is the final writing in this five-week series. With a somewhat clearer understanding of when our body becomes a Temple, how it becomes one, and what the evidence is that it is one, we will now think about the priceless question:
“What will you do with Jesus?”
E.A Fussell
03.28.2023
P.S.
The answers on how to live are in the Word. It’s a giant letter from God. Parts of it are difficult to read and hard to understand other parts are very clear. It is a lifelong tool for learning, comfort, guidance, and direction. Praise God that my dad taught me how to study it. I encourage you to read your Bible, learn how to study it, don’t rely on someone else to tell you what it says. It is a letter of love to you and there may be a message in it for you that only you can unlock. If you don’t have a Bible, I will send you one, just message me your mailing address.
Fruit of the Spirit scripture:
Galatians 5:13-26
7 things God hates scripture:
Proverbs 6:16-19
Draw close to God and He will draw close to you scriptures:
James 4:8
Jeremiah 29:12-14
Deeper understanding scripture:
Matthew 7
1st John 4
Body as the Temple scriptures:
Luke 17:20-21
John 2:19-21
1st Corinthians 3:16-17
1st Corinthians 6:19
2nd Corinthians 6:16
Ephesians 2:19-22
1st Peter 2:5
E. A. Fussell 