The Spirit Filled Believer

The Signature of the Spirit

Fruit is a public testimony to a believer's sensitivity to and dependency on the Holy Spirit.  it is the telling sign.  Fruit sets the 'abiders' apart from the 'producers' It's not simply ONE mark of a Spirit-filled life... it is the preeminent mark.  When we see fruit in a life, we know without a doubt that the Holy Spirit has custody over that particular child of God. The person is more than His possession; the person is under His influence.

The closer you get to believers who are truly walking in the Spirit, the better they look. There is nothing plastic about them. You don't get the impression they are hiding something, They radiate integrity!! You get the impression that you could trust them with your most intimate secret. You may even find yourself opening up to them in a way that is uncharacteristic for you.

Intimidation is NOT their game. They don't rely on personality and trumped-up enthusiasm to win you over.  They seem to be at peace with who they are. and they seem almost anxious to accept YOU as you are as well. For that reason you may feel drawn to them. They are the people you find yourself wanting to be like... NOT because of a particular skill or talent, but because of the depth of their character.

I'm not talking about perfection. In fact, you will hear more apologies from the lips of those who walk by the Spirit than any other group of people. Their sensitivity to the Spirit provides them with the uncanny to know when they have offended or hurt someone.  Their internal security allows them to respond quickly once they realize their sin or error in judgment.  They are NOT afraid to admit their faults. They have reconciled themselves to the fact that they are sinners.  However, they are aware that they have within them the power to rise above their fleshly appetites and desires.

Spirit-Filled believers make their biggest impression during troubled times. Then it becomes most apparent that the source of their abiding character is something that lies deep within them.  When all the crutches and props are kicked away and they are STILL standing. No one can argue that their uniqueness was simply a by product of their environment.
They have their down times. They don't win every battle. Doubt and temptation take them out of the race from time to time, but their recovery time is short. They don't stay down long and once they're back... it's as if they benefited from the experience. Specifically, their lives will be characterized by the following nine virtues:

*LOVE*
*JOY*
*PEACE*
*PATIENCE*
*KINDNESS*
*GOODNESS*
*FAITHFULNESS*
*GENTLENESS*
*SELF CONTROL*

I desire to always walk according to the Spirit of God.
I desire to always live my life as an example of Christ's grace, love and mercy.

Don't confuse spiritual gifts and natural talent with FRUIT!
Spiritual gifts and talent were never intended to be a measure of our spirituality.

It's easier to exercise a gift than to walk in the Spirit. it's even easier to think that just because you're excerising your gifitngs that you in some way have aquired a level of spiritual growth. (Be careful)

Read Matthew 7:15-23

I pray that I live, move and have my being in HIM and that I live according to the Spirit of God at all times.

Blessings,

Alisa