The antidote for the traits of the human spirit is God’s
Spirit. Our human nature is described as
the flesh in scriptures. The human
spirit possesses selfish tendencies. Our
self absorption should decrease as we grow from infant, to child, to
adult. This happens in varying degrees
in each of us; some people never continue growing beyond their childhood
selfish traits. We can work on improving
the works or traits of the flesh but the results usually fall short of our
intentions. We need God’s help. We need His strength, wisdom, and power. He enables us to improve and grow in love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control.
The forth Fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering. Longsuffering is patience. The human trait tends to be impatience. I can identify with the fact that impatience
comes easily to most of us. It is easy
to speak impulsively and to over-react in any given situation. God wants us to patiently endure as we relate
to others. Our attitudes and actions are
being observed by others and affect our testimony. The Spirit of God within us will power our
ability to be longsuffering. Romans 8:14
tells us that to truly be “sons of God” we must be “led by the Spirit of God”.
None of us can exhibit patience like God. The Father waits patiently for each of us to
come to Him believing who He is. He
waits in an attitude of unconditional love for each of our hearts to be convicted
and to choose to receive His gift of faith.
Christ patiently endured suffering during His three years of ministry on
His way to the cross for us. The Holy
Spirit teaches us and convicts our hearts as He waits for us to repent,
believe, and receive salvation and the entry of His Spirit and gifts into our
lives. We want God to be forgiving and
patient with us. He wants us to be
forgiving and patient with others.
Longsuffering and endurance means patience and
perseverance. I can remember repeating
the following words often to my girls when they were struggling with a task,
“patience, persistence, and perseverance, makes perfection”. Now I hear them encouraging my grandchildren
with the same advice. We do not attain
perfection in most areas of our lives but we get to reach our best position or
result when we patiently persevere.
Philippians 4:13 is a Bible verse which I have repeated
quietly and out loud to myself many times and in many situations, “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me”.
I want Christ’s Holy Spirit within me to help me to persevere in
patience and longsuffering as I grow in the Fruits of the Spirit.
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