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THE NINE LIFE-ALTERING, PERSONALITY CHANGES THE SPIRIT OF GOD BRINGS
Love is the absence of selfishness. It is the product of the Holy Spirit present in our lives (Rom. 5:5). Personal checkup question: Do I sacrifice my way so I can follow God’s way? Do I sacrificially deny myself so God gets His way?
Joy is the spiritual quality that releases us from circumstances; because love and self-centeredness cannot co-exist. However, the Apostle Paul said that he was II Cor. 6:10 – sorrowful yet always full of joy.
Personal checkup question: Do those that know me and watch my life see evidence throughout my daily life at work, school, and home as a more and more joyful person?
Peace is the internal serenity that only God can give. Troubles are not absent. Rather, God is present! God promised to keep us in peace, if we will just cling to Him (Isaiah 26:3).
Personal checkup question: Has peace through changes, upsets, unexpected twists, struggles, challenges, trails, and pains become more and more a way of life for me this year?
Longsuffering/Patience is the absence of personal irritation at the actions of others. It is that bearing long with people that Paul spoke of in I Corinthians. Patience is also one of the Supreme attributes of God. It is His character that is revealed as being gracious and longsuffering. See Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; II Peter 3:9.
Personal checkup questions: Ask yourself: am I more patient than I was three months ago, or less?
KINDNESS is a beautiful reflection of God in our lives. It is the absence of an abrasive manner in my dealings with people. It is a chosen reflection of Ephesians 2:8 and 4:32 in my life. “Kindness is seen as that sensitivity toward others that issues into deeds of self sacrifice and love even toward the unlovely and undeserving ones”.
Personal checkup questions: Is God changing my way of looking at people and responding towards people?
GOODNESS is being Godlike! It is the opposite of fallen humanity. Look at how Jesus is described in Acts 10:38, when the Holy Spirit anointed His life: He simply went about doing good.
Personal checkup questions: Am I a visibly better person than last year to those that feel my life up close?
FAITHFULNESS is the idea here. God wants to produce in us a trustworthy and dependable life. Surrendering our schedules to God makes us the kind of person that keeps their own life in order so that you can count on them. Any part of my life that is out of control is reminding me that area is not under God’s control.
GENTLENESS is the opposite of asserting ourselves. The Lord said that the meek were the ultimate winners (Mt. 5:5). Those who are servants of the Lord must not strive to get their own way (II Timothy 2:24). Spirit-filled lives resist selfish ambition (James 3:16) because it is a reflection of Satan, not of God. Remember Jesus described Himself as ‘meek and lowly’ (Mt. 11:29).
Personal checkup questions: Would people say that I am assertive or gentle? Do I fight for my idea, plan, agenda, and preference, or am I willing to let another express their way?
SELF-CONTROL is defined by the Greek Dictionary as “a virtue, which consists in mastery of the appetites and passions, especially the sensual ones.” The only force that can control or flesh is the Holy Spirit. When yielded to Him we become vessels that are worshipful sacrifices to Him, and no longer to self. Self cannot control self. Flesh is not able to harness flesh. Only the Spirit can discipline us for godly living (Titus 2:11-13).
Personal checkup question: Am I beating under and giving knockout blows to my flesh like Paul was in I Cor. 9:27? Does it seem like God is taking over more and more of my life, my attention, and my schedule?
These nine reflections of God are produced by His Spirit in every part of our lives surrendered to Him. So, look inside, are these nine reflections of God present in your daily life? Are these manifestations of God’s control growing?