Living Biblically: Practical Applications

The Fruit of the Spirit: The Power to Live

by

Rev. Leon Mohammed

There is a symmetry in the Holy Writ that gives balance and understanding to the student of God’s Word. Noting that God declares the end from the beginning, the Prophet Isaiah said by inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we should remember past events. In other words, a matter is settled at the beginning in relationship to his will. Colloquially stated, the Lord "starts it and finishes it" the same way in terms of his divine principles. He does this every time without deviation.

The Beginning

After the creation of Adam and Eve and the planting of the garden in Eden, man was permitted to partake of the fruit of all the trees in paradise. The only fruit tree they were ordered to leave untouched was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life was in the Garden, and there was no law against their eating its fruit. Immediately, we recognize the fact that fruit was man’s primordial form of sustenance. Howbeit, not all fruit was permitted to be ingested. Thus in the beginning there was fruit that pertained to life and fruit that pertained to death. As long as Adam and Eve were obedient to the command of God, they were to live. Disobedience, however, would result in death.

Unfortunately, Adam and Eve attempted to eat from two tables. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church said, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons." Adam and Eve could not eat of the tree of life and the tree of death, both at the same time. There is one path that leads to life, and there is a path that leads to death. One can follow the path of righteousness and obedience and be swallowed up in victory and glory. One cannot, however, try to follow both paths hypocritically and not be swallowed up by death. Adam and Eve ate the unlawful fruit and were expelled from the garden. Interestingly, death starts on a tree because of disobedience, and it ends on a tree (the cross) because of absolute obedience (Christ, the embodiment of the fruit of the Spirit).

Forbidden Fruit

The fruit of the forbidden tree is brought to maturation by one’s lustful and sinful nature. These fruit are "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like" (Galatians 6:19-21). Any partakers of these fruit will not be permitted in the Garden of God (the Kingdom of God). The forbidden fruit is sin and disobedience. Sin causes famine, plague, and destruction. Amos prophesied, "Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards, devoured your fig and olive trees." These things were done because Israel ate the "fruit of disobedience," and they will happen in the lives of all individuals who eat the forbidden fruit.

Lawful Fruit

The nine fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Interestingly, they correspond to the nine systems in the human body that are necessary for its proper function.

If we are the children of light and not of darkness, we have dispelled the darkness (the fruit of the flesh) and have embraced the light (the fruit of the Spirit). God gives us power to become the sons of God: he has given us our necessary food that we may continue in him. A righteous spiritual diet will bring success in life and the blessings of the Lord. According to Amos 9 when we return to the Lord and obey his commands, the seasons of reaping and harvesting will overlap. Metaphorically speaking, if we partake of the fruit of life, we will be like a tree planted by the water.

Concerning spiritual fruit, there are two camps: the camp of the righteous and the camp of the unrighteousness. These camps are diametrically opposed. They are extremes. One cannot practice moderation in this market of spiritual produce. If Christ is the branch, then we are the fruit of the branch. So let us eat the ambrosia that the Lord has prepared for us and live.

Fruit is defined as a plant that consists of its seeds being inside surrounded by pulpy tissue. And, of course, the seeds are used to propagate the plant. Let us examine our hearts and see what seed germinates there. If it pertains to life and the fruit of the Spirit, then don’t become weary in walking therein. If it pertains to death, the fruits of the flesh, then change your sowing and begin to plant the righteous seed of the Word of God in your heart. Through his Word, we live. Through his Word we have power. Through his Word, we have health. Reap the fruit of your virtue.

Rev. Leon Mohammed has become an authority on the application of the Judaic heritage of the Christian church in the lives of various enthic communities throughout the world. He presently is engaged in research on the presence of African peoples in biblical religion for a book he is writing on that subject. Leon lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

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