The Fruit of the Spirit is PATIENCE.
In today’s background photo sparks are flying. It is not a flame of anger or rage. It is not a spew of poisonous smoke and fumes. It’s just a few sparks. A few sparks can’t hurt much … can they??
* “Reckless words pierce like a sword.” -Proverbs 12:18a
* “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19
Sometimes when our fuse is lit, we instinctively react by popping off a few sparks! We’re not blowing a flame of anger all over people. We’re not spewing poisonous smoke all over people. It’s just a few sparks … a few snappy words, a short temper, a cold shoulder. It can’t hurt that much … can it??
Yes! Yes it can! “The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21) Reckless words absolutely can do much damage!
We need the Holy Spirit!! The Holy Spirit’s POWER will quench those sparks; the Holy Spirit will give us wisdom to speak words of life; the Holy Spirit will give us humility to respond with LOVE and PATIENCE.
* “Be completely humble and gentle; be PATIENT, bearing with one another in LOVE.” -Ephesians 4:2
* ”A person’s wisdom yields PATIENCE; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” -Proverbs 19:11
* “A person of understanding holds their tongue.” -Proverbs 11:12a
* “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
The Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) will produce the Fruit of the Spirit PATIENCE.