Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

Study Scripture:

Matthew 7:12 - "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (NLT)

Lesson From Scripture: The Widow's Offering in Mark 12

In Mark 12:41-44 there was a collection box at the temple where crowds would go to give their money. Jesus sat and watched all the wealthy people come and drop in large amounts of money. Then came a poor widow who dropped in two coins. Jesus explained to his disciples how her donation was greater than all those that came before her, because she gave all she had. While others gave a portion of their income, she gave it all.

Life Lessons:

Being good is not just about giving money, but giving from the heart. The woman sacrificed her money in order to do good. Goodness is a fruit of the spirit, because it takes effort to cultivate. Matthew 7:12 is often called "The Golden Rule," because it defines how we should treat one another. Sometimes we need to put effort into how we speak and act toward one another. We need to ask ourselves how we would feel if we were treated the way we were treating others.

Being good is not necessarily about making easy choices. There are so many messages out there telling us it is okay to "sin." Today we are taught that "if it feels good, it must be good." Yet the Bible tells us many different things about those "feel good" acts like sex and drinking. While some of them are good things, they are usually good in the right context.

Yet goodness comes from a place in our hearts. It comes from a focus on God and not a focus on what the world tells us is good. While both versions of goodness can overlap, a Christian teen's focus should be on God's idea of good.

Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

Study Scripture:

Psalm 68:3 - "But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy." (NLT)

Lesson From Scripture: The Jews in Esther 8

The story of Esther's bravery is commemorated by the Jews every year during Purim. It is one more story of how the Jews were persecuted, but then a young Jewish girl became queen and saved the Jews from slaughter. When the Jews learned that the King gave a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against an impending slaughter they celebrated in the streets. They "were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. They declared a public festival and holiday."

Life Lessons:

One of the amazing parts of the Book of Esther is that it never once mentions God directly. While His hand is in the events that take place, we only know that the people fasted in prayer and of the characters' religious affiliations. Yet God is everywhere in the Book. His hand in saving the Jews from slaughter also allows for great celebration in Esther 8.

What we learn about this fruit of the Spirit, joy, is that it comes from God, though we may not always see His hand in it. Sometimes we face hardships and trials, and some Christian teens feel like God is not there with them. Yet God wants us to have joy and happiness in our lives. Sometimes we find joy in the most turbulent times, and sometimes joy just finds us. Other times we just need to open our hearts to being joyful.

Fruit of the Spirit: Love

Study Scripture:

John 13:34-35 - "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (NLT)

Lesson From Scripture: Jesus on the Cross

It may seem cliche, but Jesus' willingness to die for the world's sins is the epitome of love. It is the example of love that we should all strive toward. Jesus didn't have to die for our sins. He could have given in to the demands of the Pharisees. He could have said he was not the Messiah, but he did not. He knew what telling the truth meant, and he was willing to die up on that cross - a terrible and torturous death. He was beaten and cajoled. He was pierced. And yet, he did it all for us, so that we would not have to die for our sins.

Life Lessons:

Jesus tells us in John 13 to love one another as He has loved us. How much do you show love to those around you? How much do you care about those that are not very kind to you? What sacrifices are you making to help those around you? While all of the kindness, goodness, and joy are wonderful fruits of the Spirit, they are still not as great as love.

Having love like Jesus means growing a love for everyone. That is not always the simplest thing to do. People say mean things. They hurt us, and sometimes it is hard to keep our focus on love. Sometimes Christian teens are so hurt that they find it difficult to love anyone, not just those that hurt them. Other times messages get in the way of us loving ourselves, so it is hard to love others.

Still, having a love like Jesus' can be found in your heart. Through prayer and effort Christian teens can find themselves loving even the most difficult people. You don't have to like someone's actions to love them. Jesus did not like many of the things people around him were doing, but he still loved them. Remember, sin is an action done by a real live person. There is a saying, "hate the sin, not the sinner." We all sin, and Jesus loves us. Sometimes we need to look beyond the act at the person instead.

Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

Study Scripture:

Hebrews 7:7 - "And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed." (NLT)

Lesson From Scripture: The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37

Most Christian teens have heard the phrase "Good Samaritan," but the phrase itself comes from the parable told by Jesus in Luke 10. In the story a Jewish traveler is severely beaten by bandits. A priest and temple assistant both passed by the man and did nothing. Finally, a Samaritan man came to him, bandaged the wounds and arranged for rest and recovery at a local inn. Jesus tells us that the Samaritan man was a neighbor to the Jewish man and to be the ones to show others mercy.

Life Lessons:

There is great significance in the story of the Good Samaritan. We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. In the time Jesus told his story, religious leaders were so wrapped up in "The Law" that they had set aside their compassion for others. Jesus reminded us that compassion and mercy are valuable traits. Samaritans at the time were not liked, and often mistreated, by Jews. The Good Samaritan showed a great deal of kindness for the Jew by being willing to put revenge or contempt aside to help a hurting man.

Kindness is a fruit that you can build on, and it is a fruit that takes a lot of work. Christian teens can easily get caught up in day to day activities and anger at non-Christians to forget how to be kind to one another. Gossip is one way that many Christian teens lose sight of this fruit of the spirit. It is easy to be kind to those you like and those who like you. Yet are you willing to put your own contempt aside to help someone that has not been kind in return? Jesus tells us that we are to show mercy to all...not just the people we like.

Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

Study Scripture:

Philippians 3:9 - "I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith." (NLT)

Lesson From Scripture: Noah in Genesis

Noah was a God-fearing man who lived in a time of great sin and turmoil. People around the world were worshipping other gods and idols, and sinfulness abounded. God was so upset with his creation that He considered wiping them off the face of the Earth completely. However, the prayers of one faithful man saved humanity. Noah asked God to have mercy on man, and so God asked Noah to build an ark. He placed representative animals on the ark and allowed Noah and his family to join them. Then God brought forth a great flood, wiping out all the other living things. God then promised Noah that He would never again bring a judgment such as this on humanity.

Life Lessons:

Faithfulness leads to obedience, and obedience brings about rich blessings from the Lord. Proverbs 28:20 tells us that a faithful man will be richly blessed. Yet being faithful is not always easy. Temptations abound, and as Christian teens your lives are busy. It is easy to become distracted by the movies, magazines, telephone calls, Internet, homework, school activities, and even youth group events.

Yet being faithful means making conscious choices to follow God. It means standing up when people disrespect your faith to explain why you're a Christian. It means doing what you can to become stronger in your faith and evangelize in a way that works for you. Noah was probably not accepted by his fellow man, because he chose to follow God rather than commit great sins. Yet, he found the strength to remain faithful - which is why we are all still here.

God is always faithful to us, even when we are not faithful to Him. He is there by our side, even when we do not seek Him or even notice He is there. He keeps his promises, and we are called to do the same. Remember, God promised Noah that He would never again wipe out His people on the earth as He did in the flood. If we trust in God to be faithful, then He becomes our rock. We can trust in all He has to offer. We will know that there is no trial too great for us to bear, and thus become a light to the world around us.

Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

Study Scripture:

Proverbs 15:4 - "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (NLT)

Lesson From Scripture: Boaz in Ruth 2

Ruth was not a Hebrew woman, but she loved her mother-in-law so much that, after her husband died, she went to live with Naomi in Naomi's homeland. In order to help with food, Ruth offers to pick through the grain left behind in the fields. She comes to a field owned by Boaz. Now, Boaz knows all that Ruth has been helping and caring for Naomi, so he tells his workers to not only allow Ruth to pick the leftover grain, but he also tells them to drop extra grain for her and allows her to drink the water from his well.

Life Lessons:

While it may not seem like a big deal that Boaz allowed Ruth to gather the leftover grain or even had his men drop extra grain, it was. In most other fields Ruth would have been harassed or placed in danger. However, Boaz showed her great kindness coming from a gentle spirit.

We often face situations where we have to make a choice on how we treat people. How do you treat the new kid in school? What about the boy who doesn't quite fit in? Do you stand up for those that are being teased or bullied? If you see a girl drop her books, do you stop to help her pick them up? You would be amazed how these gentle acts and kind words affect people.

While everyone else may think you are crazy for speaking kindly of people or avoiding gossip and unkind words, God knows that your actions come from a gentle heart. It's not always easy to be gentle. Sometimes we get angry or selfish, but allow God to change your heart from those selfish ways to put you in the other person's shoes. Allow your heart to be moved so that it becomes more gentle over time.

Fruit of the Spirit : Self-Control

Study Scripture:

2 Peter 1:5-7 - "In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone." (NLT)

Lesson From Scripture: Joseph in Genesis 39

Facing temptation is never easy, and it is likely that Potiphar's wife was fairly tempting for Joseph. A loyal man, Joseph had been prosperous in Potiphar's house, and he was trusted implicitly by Potiphar. What a temptation Joseph faced when Potiphar's wife threw herself at him. Yet, instead of giving into an affair with her, he chose to run away. He refused her over and over again, until one day he left his cloak behind, and she turned and accused him of trying to rape her. Potiphar, believing his wife, had Joseph placed in jail, where he found favor in the eyes of the prison warden. From there, and through Godly circumstances and intervention, Joseph eventually went on to become the highest official in Egypt at the time.

Life Lessons:

 Joseph faced a lot of different temptations from Potiphar's wife to revenge on the brothers that sold him into slavery. Yet Joseph never wavered from his devotion to the Lord. His actions were always defined by his relationship and faith in God. When he turned down Potiphar's wife, it was with the words, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

We can all learn lessons from Joseph's self-control. It is so easy today to give into the temptations that Christian teens face. Sometimes it is actually harder work to walk away from temptation than to give into it. After all, there is so much peer pressure to drink, have sex, do drugs, not go to church, and more.

However, God rewards your self-control. Look at Joseph. While he spent a number of years in prison and as a slave, eventually he rose to the highest appointed position in Egypt and even found his family once again. God will eventually reward your self-control. You just need to have some patience, which is the focus of next week's Fruit of the Spirit Devotions.

What is the Fruit of the Spirit?

It is a term commonly used by Christian teens, but it is not always understood. Fruit of the Spirit is often used to describe the best aspects of a Godly character.

The Nine Fruits of the Spirit:

 There are nine fruits of the Spirit that are bestowed upon believers to define a person's character. Those fruits include the following:

Faithfulness

Self-Control

Patience

Goodness

Gentleness

Joy

Kindness

Peace

Love

Scriptural References:

 Fruit of the Spirit is mentioned in several areas of the Bible. However, the most applicable passage is Galatians 5:22-23 where Paul actually lists out the fruit. Paul used this list to show the contrast between a Godly character and one that is focused on fleshly concerns.

 Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (NIV)

DEVOTION: I DIDN'T DO IT

Text: Genesis 44:12

Have you ever been punished for something you didn't even do? Well, that is what happened to Benjamin. Everybody thought he had taken a silver cup. He knew he didn't do it, but the silver cup was found in his bag.

Sometimes life just doesn't seem very fair, does it? You get yelled at when your sister is the one who did something wrong. Your teacher blames you for something the boy next to you did. When that happens, try thinking of Benjamin. He got blamed for something he didn't do. But God still took care of him. He'll take care of you too! Praise the Lord!

DEVOTION: YOUR JOB IS IMPORTANT

Text: Exodus 2: 3-4

Miriam was just a young girl, but she had an important job to do. She had to watch her baby brother Moses.

Keeping an eye on a younger brother or sister is a big job, not a problem. Your mum or dad would only ask you to do that job if they thought you were big enough to handle it. So next time your mom asks you to watch your little brother or sister, don't complain, don't run and hide. Do the big jobs with a smile of love.

VERSE OF THE WEEK: PROVERBS 23:22

Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old

WHY DRINK?

THE LURE

• People who drink are young and healthy.

• People who drink are successful.

• People who drink are happy.

• People who drink have friends.

THE FACTS

• The body reacts to alcohol as it does to other poisons. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and kills cells in the brain and the liver.

• Successful people avoid alcohol because they know it impairs their ability to function.

• Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant.

• Most drinkers are lonely and depressed because behavior under the influence of alcohol is inappropriate, offensive, and even violent. People who avoid alcohol are admired.

THE CURE

If you are burdened and want to feel better:

Not in alcohol: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow?... They that tarry long at the wine.”

Proverbs 23:29, 30

But in God: “Come unto Me, all you that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

If you want to enjoy life fully:

Not in alcohol: “And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess.”

Ephesians 5:18

But in God: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10

If you want wisdom:

Not in alcohol: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Proverbs 20:1

But in God: “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 2:6

If you want to be admired:

Not in alcohol: “Woe unto them that rise up early that they may follow strong drink.”

Isaiah 5:11

But in God: “But whoever finds Me finds life, and shall obtain the favor of the Lord. But he that sins against Me wrongs his own soul.”

Proverbs 8:35, 36

If you want eternal life:

Not in alcohol: “Nor thieves, nor drunkards, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:10

But in God: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

DEVOTION: FORGIVE EACH OTHER

Text: Genesis 33:4

Jacob and Esau were brothers- twin brothers. And like most brothers they fought. When they were teenagers, they had such a bad fight that Jacob ran away to live with his uncle. Many years passed. Finally Jacob went back home to see his brother Esau. Jacob was afraid that Esau would still be mad with him, but he wasn't. Read what happened in Genesis 33:4.

No matter how much you fight with your sister or brother, remember that God loves both of you and wants you to love each other and forgive each other.

10 WAYS TO PRACTICE PURITY

When you fall in love, it's natural to want to express your love in physical ways. But you also know God wants you to remain sexually pure—in both your actions and your thoughts. Sometimes it's a tough balance, but showing love for another and remaining pure is possible. Here are some suggestions:

1) Keep innocent expressions special. Rather than making the innocent expressions a mere prelude to the "heavier stuff," make the most of them. Let holding hands mean something. Express tenderness by simply putting your arms around each other. Make sure a kiss communicates true feeling and isn't just the first step to further physical involvement.

2) Pace your passion. Every marathon runner knows that you don't use up your energy at the beginning of the race; you need most of it at the end. Pacing your passion means that you realize you're trying to remain pure all the way to your wedding day. It's OK to express your love in little ways, but don't start messing with the package that is sex. To get real practical, avoid French kissing and petting—anything that is sure to ignite the fires of passion.

3) Don't feed your fantasies. It's normal to think about sex sometimes. In fact, with the way advertising and Hollywood exploit sex, it would be impossible not to think about it. So choose your entertainment carefully. Soap operas, certain songs, books, television shows, movies and Web sites only turn up the pressure. Feeding your thought life with junk only makes it harder to remain pure in your actions.

4) Remember whose property you're touching. You do not own the person you're dating. That person belongs to God. Imagine there's a sign on everyone you date that reads: PROPERTY OF JESUS.

5) Make a promise to God, and daily renew your commitment. Decide where you're going to draw the line, and tell God that with his help, you are not going to cross that line until marriage. Don't commit to it unless you mean it, though. The Bible says it's a serious thing to make a vow to God. At the same time, realize that you can't stick to your promise without his help. That's why it's important to renew your commitment daily.

6) Acknowledge Jesus' presence on every date. Before a date, it's normal to spend a lot of time getting ready. After all, you want to look your best. But you also want to make sure you're spiritually prepared. So spend at least as much time in prayer as you do in front of a mirror. As it says in Proverbs 3:6: "Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths."

DEVOTION: MOVING IS SCARY

Text: Exodus 12: 31-42

Moving to a new house can be scary. Even if it’s just across town. But sometimes we have to move.

The Israelites had been living in Egypt for over 400 years when God said, "It’s time to move".

They had no maps or pictures, and they didn’t know how far away their new home was or how long it would take them to get there. But God promised to show them the way.

If the Israelite could follow God across a sea and a desert, you can follow him too. No matter where you go, God will go with you.

TOP TEN REASONS TO STAY ABSTINENT

No one doubts that sexual activity is physically, emotionally, and socially dangerous. But what are the actual risks?

THE RISK OF DEATH

More than 600,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in the United States since 1981. As many as 900,000 Americans may be infected with HIV.

1 Corinthians 6:18 says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."

THE RISK OF LOST RELATIONSHIPS

When you choose to develop a sexual relationship with someone, you've immediately changed the definition of the relationship. There is no such thing as casual sex. Once you have developed a sexual relationship, that relationship turns a critical corner. After the relationship ends, you and your partner will experience that guilt and pain of promises broken.

Hebrews 12:16 says, "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."

RISKS OF INCURABLE DISEASE

Imagine you have found that one special person with whom you want to share your life . . . and now you are forced to break the news that you have an incurable disease. Even though such diseases like herpes are generally not considered life-threatening, currently no cures exist. Not only is it incurable, but it fills a life with worries, awkward revelations, and continuous need for medication.

 1 Corinthians 6:13 says, "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

THE RISK OF DAMAGING THE DESTINY OF YOUR FUTURE MARRIAGE

There is no way premarital sex of any kind is positive for your future marriage. (Just ask my husband how he feels "knowing" about my past.) It only causes suspicion, mistrust, and regret.

Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."

THE RISK OF PERMANENTLY DAMAGING YOUR TESTIMONY AS A CHRISTIAN

You'll never be able to say honestly, "I was a virgin before I was married." You'll never be able to live as an example of committed purity.

Ephesians 5:3 says, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."

THE RISK OF DEPRESSION

Those who participate in premarital sex experience emotional damage that can lead to an increased chance of mental depression and emotional despair.

2 Corinthians 12:21 says, "I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged."

GOD CREATED SEX

GOD created sex, and set rules to guide us in using this gift. Our culture has ignored the rules, distorted the place of sex in our lives and is paying a terrible price for it.

AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and abortions, broken family relationships, rape and sexual abuse: These are some of the massive problems we have brought upon us by our choice to ignore the clear and simple laws of God, nature and life.

IF everyone lived by God’s guidelines for love, sex and marriage, we would not suffer from these problems.

God has been clear about his desires for us regarding love, sex and marriage:

-Sexual relationships are to be confined to marriage.

-The marriage relationship is for life and is to be characterized by loving service to each other.

-The family unit is created by God as the foundation of all cultures.

When we follow God’s desires for us, we thrive. When we ignore God’s desires for us, we do so at our peril. We face the awful consequences of our sins, and we face the awesome anger of God.

God’s love is greater than His anger. In His love, He has provided a solution for our personal and national sins. He sent His only son Jesus to come and die for us so that everyone who believes in Him has his sins washed clean, and becomes a member of the family of God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, when we fail God we now have a way back.

God’s desires that we repent, turn to Him and truly trust Him. To trust God is to take Him at His word, accept His son Jesus Christ, and obey His will. All the blessings of God await the person who trusts God.

If you choose, right now, to trust God, use your own words to tell Him that you want to:

Repent: Tell God that you know you have sinned against Him and want to be different.

Trust: That you are counting on God to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for you on the cross to make you right with God.

Obey: That you want to live a new life as a member of God’s family, and you need God’s help to do so.

WHY ABSTINENCE?

Everything God creates has a reason and a plan. God makes it clear that everything He created in the beginning was "good" (Genesis 1:31). People have a history of distorting what God has made. Sex is no different. God created it, and therefore it is good. But when we misrepresent it by ignoring God, it is now destructive. So if it's good, 'why save sex for marriage'?

To understand why, first we have to think about God's purpose and design for sex. Why did God create sex? One reason is procreation. When God told Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28), He also wanted them to develop intimacy with one another and He knew that sex would help them do that. So the second reason is for intimacy, having a connection of your spirit with another person's spirit. In the sexual act, Two DO become one, just as God directed a man to do within marrying - to leave the parents and become one to his wife (Genesis 2:21).

Sex is so powerful at creating closeness that there must be some constraints, so God specifically regulated sex to marriage. The kind of intimacy that God desires for those married can only be experienced between one man and one woman, as was in the beginning. Therefore God has specifically said, "Do not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).

Ok, so that explains why we should save it for marriage, but having sex outside of marriage isn't harmful, so why not have it both ways? Let's explore why it is.

Sex outside of marriage causes damage (1) physically and (2) relationally.

The physical damages

AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). There is no "safe sex". When sex is exchanged like clothing and misused, the negative effects of sin come into our physical reality, creating more negative effects (i.e., diseases, etc.).

Unwanted or unplanned childbearing. If a child is born your actions affect your life, your partner's life, the lives of your family and an innocent baby's life as well. Since there is no commitment, usually one or both partner's run from the responsibility, ending in orphans, single parenting (which is proven more difficult and hard on a child's upbringing), or causing the next damage...

Sadly, the willful destruction of human life (Abortion) often results from pre-marital sex (though there are other reasons, this is the main one).

The relational damages

Sin. Sin always damages a person's relationship with God. Disobeying God's command to not commit sexual immorality and lack of self-control dishonors and displeases God. If you truly love a person and wish to be sexually intimate, you should marry as God has instructed (to become one with the person you claim to want to be with).

Those you know. Yes, as a Christian, you having sex outside of marriage (or living with someone, unmarried) causes a person's friends, family and even non-Christians to view you as a less committed Christian, one more prone to hypocrisy. This could leave you with less respect, not trusted, and worse of all, you again are bringing further dishonor to God.

The persons involved. If two people do not cherish sex enough to wait for a marriage commitment, how can they trust one another for faithfulness? Sometimes a person within the relationship is not willing to make a vow and think very little of the others intimacy. If two people respect each other and are sincere they would be willing to make a covenant with each other, adding assurance to their relationship and avoiding later esteem problems (which lead to depression).