The Holy Spirit’s ninth gift is self-control, and if ever there was a gift most people would rather re-gift, this could be it. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as: restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires. Television talk shows, news videos and social media posts give ample evidence of how much more most of
The Holy Spirit’s eighth gift is gentleness. In English, gentleness is the noun form of the adjective gentle. It’s defined as the quality or state of being gentle; especially displaying mildness of manner or disposition. At first glance that probably doesn’t look too appealing or effective in today’s culture. It seems the only way to
The Holy Spirit’s seventh gift is faithfulness. Scripture frequently pairs it with Love, which makes sense to those of you reading this who have or have had strong marriages. The definitions Websters Dictionary gives faithfulness mix qualities that might be divided between God, and people. The dictionary classifies its first definition, full of faith, as
The Holy Spirit’s sixth gift is goodness. Getting a specific grasp on what that is, is not so easy. Goodness is one of the words we’ve tended to cheapen. The first definition Webster gives is: The quality or state of being good. The third option for a definition is: The nutritious, flavorful, or beneficial part
The Holy Spirit’s Fourth Gift is Patience The Holy Spirit’s fourth gift is patience. He gives it perfectly, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to use. There are times we ignore it, when we focus on the situations we interpret as causing us suffering instead. Once that focus has set in, the devil has us
The Holy Spirit’s third gift is peace. Yes, it’s easier to have peace in your life if you already have love, and joy, but the truth of the matter is that the roots of our word peace come from pact, or agreement. This implies ceased hostilities, and beyond that, relationship. I’d like to suggest that
Joy is the Holy Spirit’s second gift. That joy proceeds from love is obvious to everyone who has met, wooed, and married their spouse. Webster’s definition of joy is a bit prosaic, though it does appear to suggest three levels of joy: The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect
The Holy Spirit’s gifts are our gauge of sanctification. The Holy Spirit brings a set of nine gifts, linked together like a surveyor’s chain. If you grew up with Christian parents, or went to a Christian school, you might have memorized them: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. That’s usually as
Enjoyment is a Gift for Sanctification Enjoyment is a Gift For Sanctification. At first glance, this might not seem to fit the ongoing topic at all, but it’s true. Enjoyment is a gift from God. Why would God give us enjoyment? Remember, the purpose of sanctification in God’s plan is to make our character more
Good Works are a Gift for Sanctification Good works sound no more appealing than responsibility, but there’s more than a subtle difference. That good works are a gift for sanctification doesn’t mean you earn brownie points with God for serving at a soup kitchen or sorting donated clothes for a community closet. Such things ease