Ready To Be Free

Christian Character

Galatians 5:22-26

What are the characteristics

and distinguishing marks of true Christianity?

What is the evidence that someone is truly a follower of

Jesus Christ?Matt. 7:16-20 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their

fruits ye shall know them.

Jesus taught us that the outward manifestation of a

person’s life gives us an unmistakable

representation of their inward condition , whether

good or bad.Our words and deeds are a sign to everyone revealing

our inward character.

Trees and Fruit

Good Tree Bad Tree

Gal. 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which

are (these); Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry,

witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,

seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness,

revellings, and such like:…they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

A Bad Tree With Bad FruitOur old nature, without Jesus, was

incapable of producing good character, much like a bad tree is incapable of producing good fruit. In contrast to the fruit of the Spirit

are the works of the flesh.All these things (sin) must be

discontinued

Study Romans 1:28-32

Bad Fruit on a Bad Tree Are…

Sexual immorality, lustful impurity, lewdness, worshipping false gods, spells and enchantments, intense dislike, selfish ambition, jealousy,

fits of rage, contentious arguments, cliques and factions, coveting,

destruction of human life, intoxications, orgies and other evil passions that God’s law condemns.

A Good Tree With Good Fruit

Good Words-Speak things that edify. See James 3:1-18 and

Titus 3:2Good Works-Do things that edify. See Titus 3:8, Gal. 6:9-

10, and Col. 1:10

Good Fruit on a Good Tree Are…

Honesty, control of ill temper, trustworthiness, hard work,

generosity, clean and edifying speech, kindness, forgiveness,

love and sexual purity.

See 2 Thess. 2:16-17

The Fruit of the Spirit

What is it?Eph. 5:9- fruit of Spirit is in all

goodness and righteousness and truth

Gal. 5:25- If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit

Gal. 5:22-23-Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,

goodness, faith, meekness, temperance

Let’s consider each of these

Godly characteristics:

LoveIntense desire to please

God

For God SO loved…that He gave

Sacrificial giving of oneself

JoyIs the exultation of the soul

that comes from a Christian’s knowledge that his sins are forgiven and

that he has hope of eternal life.

PeaceTranquility and calm

assurance that all is well is the quiet state of the

soul that Godly contentment brings.

LongsufferingWhen we consider God’s mercy and patience in

dealing with us, it becomes less troublesome for us to bear with the frailites and

provocations of others.

GentlenessThis inoffensive, kindly disposition shows itself, as did the Master, in a soft touch in dealing

with people.

Goodness

In the heart of a Spirit-filled person grows this desire to do good to the bodies and souls of men.

FaithIs Christianity in action.

In the sense of Christian piety and of the trust and confidence

one puts in God, determines action in life.

Changes standards and priorities of life.

MeeknessA personality trait of gentleness

and humility. The opposite of pride.

Aristotle-the middle position between excessive anger and and excessive lack of anger.

TemperanceSelf-control. (sober, temperate,

calm and dispassionate approach to life, having

mastered personal desires and passions.

Prov. 25:28; 1 Cor. 7:5; 1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Tim. 3:3; Gal.

5:23; 2 Tim. 1:7; Titus 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:6

Freedom in Christ does not give believers

liberty to cast off all moral restraint as some members in Galatia and

other churches apparently believed. Not

does it call for a withdrawal from life and its temptations. It call

for a self-disciplined life following Jesus’ example of being in the world but

not of the world.