God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

LESSON 6: THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE - FRUIT AND MANIFESTATIONS 1. WHAT IS "THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE"? After the Christian has been baptized with the Holy Ghost, he then should live according to the direction of the Spirit of God. A Spirit-filled life is one that is controlled and motivated by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:1, 4, 12, 14. "But I say, walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit - responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh - of human nature without God." Galatians 5:16, Amplified New Testament. 2. HOW DOES THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE FIND EXPRESSION? In this course we will deal with four major ways in which the Spirit of God expresses Himself in and through the Christian. This lesson will emphasize the Fruit of the Spirit and the Manifestations of the Spirit. The next lesson will cover Prayer and Worship in the Spirit-filled believer's life. 3. WHAT IS MEANT BY "THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT"? This expression is found in Galatians 5:22 and refers to the very nature of the Holy Spirit that is worked in and through the Christian. Fruit is something that is grown, not created instantly. It should be noted that fruit is the sure sign of healthy life in a tree. Even older people can expect to continue bearing Spiritual fruit. Psalms 92:14. 4. WHY DOES IT SAY FRUIT, RATHER THAN FRUITS? Paul speaks here not of fruits (various kinds) but fruit (one kind). A lovely nine-fold cluster of fruit is described here and brings to remembrance Jesus' teaching on fruit

174