22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~ Gal 5:22-23 (NIV)
It amazes me whenever people point to booklets, magazines, telecasts, websites and the like and say, “Look at the fruit!” Yet, the Bible, particularly Galations 5, makes it evident that those things are not fruit. They may be by-products of our fruit, but they themselves are not the fruit. Plants create oxygen, which is sorely needed, but that is not fruit even though the plants produce it.
So, if those things are the “fruits of the Spirit”, what are the fruits of the flesh? Well, there is a very extensive list right before that list in vv 19-21. Notice there are more fruits of the flesh than fruits of the Spirit.
However, is there a parallel between them? Maybe. Or, perhaps I’m just reading more into it than I should. At first, I thought it might be a silly thought, but then I laid them out and noticed there is symmetry in some places, while others might take a little more thought. It is an interesting thought, though:
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Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery limit the capacity to show love for human beings. Idolatry and witchcraft are the opposite of love towards God. Hatred is the opposite of love in either case.
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Discord vs joy.
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Jealousy vs peace.
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Fits of rage vs patience.
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Selfish ambition vs kindness.
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Dissensions vs goodness.
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Factions vs faithfulness.
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Envy vs gentleness.
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Drunkenness and orgies vs self-control.
Something to think about this weekend. Have a good Sabbath.