Category Archives: Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Helper for All Occasions

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Charles Stanley

John 14:16-18

Did you ever wish for an emergency telephone line that rang in heaven? The truth is that we have something much better. The Holy Spirit lives inside us to be our helper in every situation.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus warned the disciples that He was about to depart. The news probably upset them, even though it wasn’t the first time He’d spoken of His death. But the Lord offered His followers reassurance that He would send them another Helper. The Greek word for “another” implies that the new Helper would be like the previous one—in other words, a divine being with access to the Father. As promised, God’s Spirit came to dwell in everyone who receives Jesus Christ as Savior (Acts 2:1-4).

Our Helper has a distinct role within the Trinity. The Father reigns over all, while the Son sits at His right hand, interceding for believers. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit enables Christians to accomplish the work God has designed for each one to do.

The Father knew we couldn’t follow Him without help—that was why Jesus told the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until after the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Whatever we are called to do in daily obedience or in lifelong vocation, our Helper offers direction. And when we are beset by tough times or temptations, God’s Spirit provides strength and encouragement.

The Holy Spirit is intimately involved in our life. He is more a part of us than our bones and blood. We are privileged to have a divine Helper guiding us on the path of God’s will.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Power of Persistence

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 3:10-14

To be someone who perseveres, it is necessary to . . .

  • Learn the difference between being a failure and experiencing failure in life. Once we trust in Christ as our Savior, we are new creations, and our past failings are just that—in the past. Any future mistakes are to be regarded as temporary defeats; they do not define who we are. The apostle Paul learned this lesson well. No matter how many times he was reviled, chased out of town, or stoned, he did not consider himself a failure. Rather, he looked to His Lord to determine the truth about who he was: a forgiven sinner commissioned to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 22:10, 21).
  • Learn that encountering difficulties and tests does not automatically mean we’re to change direction. They may delay us in reaching our goals, but they aren’t necessarily a dead end. Look at trials not as reasons to quit, but as opportunities that can assist us in reaching goals. During our moments of defeat, God wants to teach us something that will help us succeed later on. Paul didn’t interpret the tragic events of his life as signals to stop. He knew what God was calling him to do and was committed to accomplishing it. He also experienced the power of persistence to transform his character and give him hope (Rom. 5:3-4). We are sustained by such hope, even in our greatest crises.

Through the work of His Holy Spirit, our heavenly Father will give us the ability to stay on course. Do not give up. Draw near to the Lord, and allow His power to sustain you.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How Can I Become a More Obedient Child of God?

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Charles Stanley

Genesis 12:1-4

Obedience is a major characteristic of a person who is mighty in spirit and honors the Lord. Generally speaking, obedience characterized the faith of Abraham from his first encounter with God until his death.

We grow in obedience by having faith in the sovereignty of God. If we fail to believe in the Father’s sovereignty, we will find it difficult to obey Him. Abraham based his relationship with God on his confidence that the Lord would always do as He had promised (Rom. 4:20, 21). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and responding in confident trust (Rom. 10:17). We will learn to trust Him as we study and meditate on His Word.

We grow in obedience by waiting for God’s timing. The Father is very time conscious—not in terms of minutes and seconds, but in regard to our acting in obedience according to His schedule. Throughout Scripture we find Him moving in “the fullness of the time” (Gal. 4:4). He is neither early nor late. He is always right on time.

We continue to grow in obedience by refusing to subject God’s plan to “common sense” or the reasoning of the world. Some things the Lord requires may look ridiculous from a human perspective. He told Abraham that he would have a son through whom He would bless the entire world. Yet the Lord allowed Abraham’s obedience to be severely tested—first by requiring him to wait nearly a quarter of a century before providing the promised provision, and later by requiring him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. God knew the motive of Abraham’s heart. It was one of obedience. When it came time to complete the sacrifice, the Lord was the one who provided a ram to be used in Isaac’s place.

We grow in obedience by promptly responding in obedience. If you long to obey God, you will not hesitate when He tells you to do something. Many times we fail to obey the Father because we fear the consequences. Yet He never requires us to do anything outside His will for our lives. Our only responsibility is to obey; His responsibility is to take care of the consequences of our obedience.

Our sensitivity to God’s will increases as we obey Him. Along the way, He provides glimpses of the blessings waiting for us. God always blesses obedience. You can trust Him, obey Him, and be blessed. Or you can disobey Him and spend the rest of your life wondering what He would have done had you obeyed Him. Once you glimpse the blessings of obedience, however, the consequences no longer matter.

Adapted from “The Charles F. Stanley’s Life Principles Bible,” 2008.

 

Resources About Opportunity and Obedience

Related Video

A Passing Opportunity

Too often, we let opportunities pass us by because we don’t realize they’ve been sent from our heavenly Father. In this sermon, Dr. Stanley teaches us how to be sensitive to the opportunities God puts before us. (Watch A Passing Opportunity.)

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God Knows What You Need

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Charles Stanley

John 4:1-16

One reason we at times have a weak faith is because our view of God is faulty. That’s not totally surprising—after all, He is so big, how could we ever truly get an accurate picture of what He looks like, how He acts, or how He feels about us personally?

Knowing that we would need a way to understand Him, our heavenly Father revealed Himself through His Son. And so “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The better we get to know Jesus, the more we will understand the Father (14:9).

And when we take a look at the way Jesus treated the people around Him, we get a good illustration of God’s love. Think about the woman at the well in today’s Scripture passage. This was a person who had been outcast by society. The fact that she came to draw water during the heat of the day (4:6)—a time when no one else would be around— indicates that her exclusion from the townspeople was not just their idea; she herself felt the need to stay isolated.

But what did Jesus do? He loved her. He accepted her. He gave her what no one else would give: attention and respect. That is what He does for us as well. The Lord does not want us burdened by guilt, shame, or heartache. Nor does He want us to be secluded from other people. Instead, He calls us to become active participants in His kingdom.

Have you cut yourself off from those around you? Take hold of your Savior’s hand today, and start experiencing the joy of His acceptance.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Fully Alive

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 15:22

Because the apostle Paul recognized the limitations of human understanding, he used word pictures to illustrate spiritual concepts. In several letters, Paul wrote about being “alive in Christ.” He pointed out that before the Lord rescued us, we were spiritually dead. But once we received Jesus as our Savior, we became alive in Him (Rom. 6:11).

Paul wanted us to realize that we have a new freedom, a new nature, and a new standard of conduct. To show this, he chose the word pictures of circumcision and baptism (Col. 2:9-17). While neither one represents the complete picture, together they provide a starting point for us to grasp the glorious foundational truth of being alive in the Lord.

If we use human reasoning to help us grasp a spiritual truth like this one, we often become confused. Only through the teaching of the Holy Spirit can we begin to comprehend its full meaning. Besides, God’s living Word is meant to be experienced. We can know the fact that Jesus has given us a new nature, but only when we experience this new nature and the freedom it brings do we truly discover the scriptural meaning of “made alive.”

Think about the examples Paul chose: baptism and circumcision. Set aside your human logic, and depend on the Holy Spirit for understanding. Believe that you are a new creation—that the old nature is gone and has been replaced by the new one (2 Cor. 5:17). Practice what you learn. Spiritual joy will fill your being as you experience the truth of the revealed mystery of being fully alive in Christ.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Call to Holiness

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Charles Stanley

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Believers are called to be sanctified people who live holy lives. Holiness means being set apart by God for His purposes. This process of sanctification begins when we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, and it continues for the rest of our lives.

The Holy Spirit draws our will and longings to align with His. As we submit to Him, we will begin to desire what He desires. With His leading, we will choose to consecrate our conduct, our conversation, and ultimately our character to God alone. He teaches us how to make holiness a way of life rather than see it as some lofty place of enlightenment we can never reach. God has placed us where we live and work, not to be “pious” or to isolate ourselves as if in incubators, but to reflect who Christ is as we walk among other people. If we are in the process of being conformed to Jesus’ likeness, then the longer we live and mature spiritually, the more others should be able to recognize the Savior in us. Our hearts should grow softer, and our willingness to love and serve should increase.

If we are Christ’s ambassadors, then our lives must be holy; otherwise, we are misrepresenting Him. If we are the body of Christ, then our hands are His hands, our eyes are His eyes, and our feet are His feet. When we allow Jesus to speak, love, and serve through us, others will be compelled to ask why we live such vibrant lives. All followers of Christ are called to be holy. To answer this call daily is to embrace the Great Commission.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Preparing Hearts Through Fasting

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 13:1-23

In the parable of the sower, Jesus teaches that it takes good soil to produce a plentiful harvest. He warns against planting seed on the rocky places and also speaks about dangerous thorns that choke the plants. He directly applies the parable to our spiritual lives, explaining that the seed is God’s Truth; it’s only in the soil of a devoted and steadfast heart that the Word is received and spiritual fruitfulness is produced. In fact, He says soil that’s prepared to receive what is planted can produce a crop 30, 60, or 100 times what is sown.

Many people testify that God has used biblical fasting to position their hearts to receive His truth. It has made them ready for the planting of the Word, and through that, to receive greater insight and direction, and to develop a deeper faith (Rom. 10:17). During the hours of fasting, they set themselves apart from earthly concerns and spent their time concentrating on heavenly matters. It was then that God revealed the stumps, rocks, and thick roots that entangled their hearts and prevented spiritual growth. Through His Spirit, He also provided the courage to confess and the strength to obey.

What is the condition of your heart soil? How much “groundwork” needs to be done so that you can receive a major planting of the Word? God desires to clear out the rocks and weeds in our lives and break up any hard soil; biblical fasting prepares us for such tilling. God is calling His people to consecrate themselves to Him. Won’t you come before Him to be made ready?

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Biblical Fasting

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 42:1-2

“Dear?” The only response this elicits is a distracted “Hmm,” accompanied by the rustle of a newspaper. “Could I talk to you?” Again a reply of “Hmmm,” followed by silence. Then footsteps are heard walking away. Have you ever experienced something similar?

We’ve all been guilty of inattention to those we love. So much clamors for our attention that we at times dodge effort instead of investing in a relationship. Unfortunately, we can do the same thing with God. But we don’t want that, do we?

Biblical fasting is one way to help us regain focus concerning our relationship with the Lord and what matters to Him. Fasting readies us to concentrate on our Father. It is an opportunity to set aside other things in order to seek His face and hear His voice. It is a time of preparation that leads us to fix our attention on God’s purposes and will for us.

Many of us have not tried fasting because it seems too foreign. We don’t know how to begin or when to find the time. But if we see it for what it is—a faith experience that sharpens our spiritual vision, intensifies our desire for God, and leads us to better understand His direction—then we will want to try it for ourselves.

Have you been crying out to the Father for more of Him? Do you need to know God’s will for a particular area of your life? Biblical fasting is a spiritual discipline that will bring you to the place where your hearing is sharper, your mind is clearer, and your eyes are more firmly fixed on the Lord and His plans. Why not discover this for yourself?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Scriptural “Benefit Package”

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Charles Stanley

2 Timothy 3:14-17

This world offers financial plans, weight loss programs, and a host of other opportunities that all claim to yield beneficial results. But nothing is as profitable to us as Scripture.

God’s plans for you do not stop at salvation. His goal is that you become conformed to the likeness of His Son, and the tool He uses to achieve His purpose is the Bible. Today’s passage outlines His comprehensive program for your spiritual transformation.

The foundation is laid with the teaching of Scripture’s basic truths. These doctrines about God’s character and work anchor our souls during the storms of life and protect us from deception. Since we all have certain flesh patterns, perfection is impossible, and we sometimes fall into sin. But when Scripture offers reproof, we are convicted about our wrongdoing.

This is followed by correction. The Lord never convicts us and leaves us in the mess we have made. He provides what we need to make things right.

The final step is training in righteousness. Think of this as a one-on-one discipleship course with the Word of God. If we heed the instruction and discipline of Scripture, we’ll grow in obedience and godliness and eventually will find that we need less reproof and correction.

Full participation in God’s scriptural benefit package involves three steps: Read the Bible each day; believe everything God says in His Word—not just the parts that appeal to you (Heb. 4:2); and do what He says. You will become equipped and qualified to fulfill His purpose for you.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Abundant Christian Life

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Charles Stanley

Jesus said, “[Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Unfortunately, many Christians live only an adequate spiritual life, rather than an abundant one. Though they go through the motions of being “good Christians,” they do not enjoy the power, peace, and joy that God intends believers to experience. To them, Christianity feels more like a burden than a source of delight and comfort, and habitual sins hold them in bondage.

Letting Christ Live Through You

When we received God’s gift of salvation, the Spirit of Jesus— also known as the Holy Spirit—came to live within us (Rom. 8:9).

  • What does the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life guarantee (Eph. 1:13-14)?

One of the Spirit’s roles is to manifest the presence of Christ through our lives. In other words, He helps us think, act, and react as Jesus would. As we develop in relationship with the Lord, we grow in our ability to allow Him to live through us. This means that our success as believers isn’t dependent on our ability to follow rules or rituals. Instead, the secret is to humbly let Jesus work in and through us.

  • Can you relate to seeing your faith as a burden—a set of duties and religious customs? Explain.
  • Do you ever feel frustrated at your inability to overcome certain sins in your life?
  • The flesh is that part of us that wants to rebel against God. Do you see fruit of the flesh in your life? (See Gal. 5:19-21.)

The concept of allowing Christ to live through us is stated in different ways throughout the New Testament. In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul puts it this way: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Paul knew that to have spiritual victory, He had to be “crucified with Christ” and let go of the right to run his own life. He didn’t have the power to be a holy person in His own strength. But as he surrendered to Jesus and lived by faith, Paul found the power to live a righteous, confident, joyful life. The spiritual principles that gave him success are no different for us today.

  • Have you ever surrendered control of your life to God? If so, describe what prompted that decision.
  • Why do many believers never learn to rely on Christ’s power for holy living?
  • What beliefs or distractions have the potential to interfere with your dependence upon Jesus?

Paul also wrote, “To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)

  • Explain what he meant. (See verses 22-23 if necessary.)
  • Can you relate to both parts of the statement in Philippians 1:21? Why or why not?

The Next Step

If you feel compelled to let Christ live through you, pray the following:

  1. Confess your inadequacy. Acknowledge that you have tried to be a godly person but feel spiritually frustrated or defeated.
  2. Acknowledge that Christ is sufficient. Since He is God, He can give you wisdom for every decision and strength to overcome temptation and adversity.
  3. Abandon your life to Him. You must give Him permission to live His life through you. Let go of your own efforts to “be good enough” or “do enough” to please Him.
  4. Confess it to be true. Say out loud, “Jesus, please live through me. I yield myself to Your will. Help me remember that I am now dead to sin and alive in You.” This is not a one-time commitment; you will probably have to surrender multiple times in your life. When you fail, be reminded that you cannot live a holy life apart from the Lord’s power.
  • Name a specific situation in which you need God’s help to react righteously and wisely, and then commit it to the Lord in prayer.

Closing: God does not call you to endure a tolerable Christian life—He wants it to be extraordinary.  Experience the life He has planned for you—yield control of your life to Him, and stop trying to be righteous in your own strength. Trust Jesus to live through you. By guiding and empowering you, He will take care of all your troubles.

Prayer: If you did not already do so, pray through the steps above. Even if you made a similar commitment in a previous season of life, it can be helpful to reaffirm your reliance on Christ’s power for daily living.

 

Related Resources

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The Key to the Christian Life

Who is going to run your life: you or Jesus Christ who lives within you? (Watch The Key to the Christian Life.)

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Firm Foundation

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Charles Stanley

Ephesians 2:1-9

What we believe determines how we will act. To behave in a godly manner, we must embrace biblical truth. So let’s take a look at some basics of the faith:

  • Man’s relationship with God is broken, apart from Jesus Christ. When Adam and Eve rebelled, their nature became corrupt and alienated them from God. That “flesh” nature was then passed down to all subsequent generations, separating man from the Father (Rom. 5:12). On our own, we can neither make amends for our sin nor change our nature.
  • Salvation comes through Jesus alone (Acts 4:12). God’s justice required a penalty for sin, but only a sacrifice without defect would suffice. Jesus, who lived a perfect life on earth, was uniquely qualified. He bore our sins and died in our place so we might be forgiven and adopted into God’s family. When we receive Him as Savior, we’re given a new nature, and Christ’s righteousness is counted as ours (Phil. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:17).
  • The church—Christ’s body—is made up of born-again believers throughout the world (1 Cor. 12:13). All Christians are commanded to worship the Lord, care for one another, and share in the work of spreading the gospel. God’s followers are also given spiritual gifts to use in building up other believers.

If these truths are the basis for our view of life, we will find ourselves growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Forgiving others will become a possibility—and dying to self a more common occurrence. Ungodly traits will fade away and be replaced by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A God of Love

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Charles Stanley

Ephesians 3:17-19

The Lord does not base His love for us upon our character or achievements. We know this because of God’s promise in John 3:16 and His action in sending Jesus to die in our place (1 John 4:10).

The Savior’s dealings with people show us the depth of God’s love. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, ministered closely with the Lord for three years but in the end chose to betray Him. Even though He knew what Judas would do, Jesus never rejected him. In love, the one betrayed forgave the betrayer.

In another example, a woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned for her transgression. She was condemned by the religious leaders, but Jesus stepped in to protect her. Then, in love, He commanded her to sin no more (John 8:11).

Next, consider Peter, who loved Jesus and desired to follow Him always. In a moment of weakness, however, he denied even knowing Christ. Though Jesus knew in advance the disciple would do this, His love for the man didn’t waver—a fact He proved by appearing to Peter after the resurrection and giving him a prominent place in the developing church.

Two final examples are Zaccheus, the greedy tax collector who took advantage of his fellow citizens, and the Samaritan woman who, after a string of broken relationships, was involved in an immoral lifestyle. None of this stopped Jesus from approaching both of them and offering His forgiving love.

Through faith in Jesus, everyone—even the worst of sinners—can become a child of God and experience the richness of His love. No one is beyond its reach.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Perfect Love

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Charles Stanley

1 John 4:7-9

We were created to be members of God’s family and recipients of His perfect love. In fact, through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, He demonstrated just how much He loves us.

When we receive Christ as our Savior, we become children of God and experience His unconditional love. Divine affection for us does not vary in quality or quantity. It will never end or even diminish. No circumstance can cause the Lord to stop loving us. Several stories in the New Testament exemplify this:

  • Consider the Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. Was the soldier’s request ignored because he wasn’t one of God’s chosen people—the Jews? No. Seeing the man’s genuine faith, the Lord granted his request out of love for him (Luke 7:2-10).
  • Jesus extended forgiveness to the thief on the cross, who placed his faith in Christ (23:39-43).
  • Before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus was convinced that Jesus was not the promised Messiah and His followers must be stopped. To that end, the future apostle Paul persecuted the Christian Jews and uttered murderous threats against the church. God’s love did not even skip over one so violently opposed to His children. On the road to Damascus, the Lord appeared to him with an offer of salvation and gave him a great work to do—evangelizing the Gentile world (Acts 9:15).

The human mind cannot fully comprehend divine love. In Christ, thieves, persecutors, and those who may look like outsiders are all equally loved.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Prayer Makes a Difference

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Charles Stanley

1 Timothy 2:1-8

After observing the godless trends in our nation, we readily recognize the need for change. But God’s solution for our predicament is surprising. Paul instructs Timothy to establish some priorities in the church, and first on the list is prayer “for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:2). The reason for our petitions is so that we can live tranquil and godly lives and thereby have unhindered opportunities to tell others about the Savior (vv. 2-4).

Paul wouldn’t have given Timothy this instruction unless he believed the prayers of the church would make a difference in achieving God’s purposes for their nation. Our problem is not with the Lord’s promise or capability, but with our lack of faith. By focusing on the enormity of the problems or the power of those in office, we lose sight of our sovereign God who waits for us to request His intervention.

Political policies and legislation are not ultimately determined in conference rooms and governmental chambers, but in prayer closets. The voices that shape the direction of a nation are not necessarily those that ring out in legislative halls, but those that approach the throne room of God with bold faith (Heb. 4:16). As the church believes and prays, the Lord will respond.

Knowing that God can change a country, you may be wondering why He has waited so long. Maybe He is asking you a similar question: “Why have you waited so long to pray?” Every authority on earth can be touched by the power of prayer if we are willing to ask and believe God.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Peter: An Ordinary Person

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 4:18-20

The apostle Peter was an ordinary person who lived in an extraordinary time. His was the generation during which Jesus lived on the earth and died for the salvation of mankind.

It was Andrew who first brought his brother Peter (originally called Simon) to meet the Lord (John 1:40-42). When Jesus invited them to become disciples, both brothers immediately left their fishing trade and placed themselves under Christ’s authority (Matt 4:20).

Peter became a passionate follower who consistently demonstrated an eagerness to be near the Savior and in the middle of whatever was going on. Whether encountering Jesus on the water during a storm (14:27-29) or speaking to Him during His transfiguration (17:1-5), Peter was devoted to his Master’s service.

In the beginning, the former fisherman was quick to speak and to act, and this impulsiveness created problems for him. For example, when Jesus was talking about His imminent suffering and death, Peter objected, as if he knew better than the Lord. Christ’s rebuke was swift and direct (16:21-23). The apostle learned from his mistakes and was later given great responsibility. He’s a good example of how we should release personal desires, wholeheartedly embrace Jesus’ way, and walk closely with Him (Mark 8:34).

The Lord chooses unexceptional people like Peter and you and me to build His kingdom. He asks His followers to love Him above all else and fully commit to obeying Him. When we do, He will accomplish more through us than we could ever imagine.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Dealing With Wrong Desires

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 145:18-21

Believers can have wrong desires. In fact, if we work hard enough—by pressing ahead of divine timing, manipulating our circumstances, and even acting dishonestly—we may be able to make those wishes reality. But anything gained apart from God will prove to be empty and disappointing.

Having desires is good—goals drive us and set the direction for our life. But we want our objectives to match the ones God has for us. Longings contrary to His purposes have the power to corrupt the body, mind, or spirit and can also cause believers to fall into temptation (2 Pet. 2:9-10 ; 1 Tim. 6:9).

How can we be sure our desires are right? A godly ambition is usually specific and fixed, and it will stand up to evaluation through prayer and Bible study. In contrast, a wrong desire fails to meet these criteria. For instance, some people have only a vague sense of what they want from life. Or their yearning changes easily as circumstances shift or time passes. Most dangerous is that goal which is pursued despite its incompatibility with a righteous lifestyle. In such cases, the believer has neglected to consider two vital questions: Does God want this for me? and Can I follow Christ and this objective at the same time?

Many of the things we desire are not specifically addressed in Scripture as “thou shalt” or “thou shalt not.” That is why God has given us access to the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discernment. We must prayerfully evaluate our longings to ensure we are within the Lord’s will and pursuing His purpose for our life.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Signature of the Spirit

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Charles Stanley

Walking in the Spirit involves moment-by-moment sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. But is there an objective standard by which we can measure the vitality of our relationship with Him?

Yes, there is. Fruit is the telling sign. It is not simply one mark of a Spirit-filled life; it is the preeminent mark—the public testimony to a believer’s sensitivity to and dependency on the Holy Spirit.

Those who walk in the Spirit possess the following nine virtues: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). I believe there’s a reason Paul simply listed these virtues and moved on. They aren’t goals to pursue. Why? The fruit of the Spirit was never intended to be a demonstration of our dedication and resolve. Instead, it’s the evidence of our dependency on and sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit.

How else can we characterize believers who walk in the Spirit? The closer you get to them, the better they look. They radiate integrity and trustworthiness. They don’t rely on personality, intimidation, or trumped-up enthusiasm to win you over. They accept themselves as they are and accept you as well. They’re the people you want to be like because of the depth of their character.

We’re not talking about perfection. They still have the flesh to contend with. They can be as unkind and insensitive as anybody else. But when they realize their sin, they are quick to apologize. They are aware that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they can rise above their sinful desires. Tuning in to His presence results in spiritual fruit that remains even during difficult times.

Unconditional love in a marriage or friendship shines brightest in the midst of our differences; in a similar way, the fruit of the Spirit demonstrates its divine source when circumstances and relationships take a turn for the worse. Then it becomes most apparent that the source of the Christian’s abiding character is something that lies deep within. When all the crutches and props are kicked away, and the believer is still standing, no one can argue that his uniqueness was simply a by-product of his environment.

Spirit-filled believers don’t win every battle. Doubt, temptation, hurt, and disappointment trip them up from time to time. But they don’t dwell on their missteps. They refocus their attention on the big picture, acknowledging the truth that their peace is from the Lord. Then they move on. They know “the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6).

The fruit of the Spirit is just that: fruit produced by God. When we abide in Christ and allow Him to live His life through us, the result is character that endures despite the chaos of life.

The fruit of the Spirit includes:

Love—for those who do not love in return.

Joy—in the midst of painful circumstances.

Peace—when something you were counting on doesn’t come through.

Patience—when things aren’t going fast enough for you.

Kindness—toward those who treat you unkindly.

Goodness—toward those who have been intentionally insensitive to you.

Faithfulness—when friends have proven unfaithful.

Gentleness—toward those who have handled you roughly.

Self-control—in the midst of intense temptation.

It is not uncommon for the Spirit’s fruit to take us by surprise. I have seen this happen many times, especially in the lives of new believers. When we shift our focus from self to the Holy Spirit, He can work freely in our lives. The results are uncharacteristic character, true change, and fruit that remains (John 15:16).

That is the nature of fruit. We don’t produce it; we discover it. As you begin walking in the Spirit, you will finish a debate with your kids and realize you didn’t raise your voice. You will walk away from a heated conversation and think, Wow, I didn’t lose my temper. You will be asked to go somewhere you have no business going, and you will hear yourself saying, “No, thank you.”

Eventually you will overhear someone make a comment to the effect of, “I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but he’s really different.” And you will realize that person is right, though not because you set out to change. Transformation will happen only when you surrender to the promptings of the Spirit. Remember, fruit is not something you work to attain. It’s something that can take you by surprise as the Holy Spirit produces it in your life.

Adapted from “The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life” (1992).

 

Related Resources

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Walking in the Holy Spirit

Do you want to live with real peace, contentment and joy in life? Do you want to have the power to overcome temptation or persevere through adversity? (Watch Walking in the Holy Spirit.)

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Desires of Your Heart

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 37

The Lord has given us many wonderful promises in His Word. But sadly, one of them is frequently misunderstood. It’s not uncommon for someone to tell me about a prayer request and then add, “God promised to give me the desires of my heart.” This makes the Lord sound more like a toy store than a wise Father. But when Psalm 37:4 is taken in context, we can understand God’s principle for ensuring that we have right desires.

To delight in the Lord (v. 4) means to take pleasure in discovering more about God and following His will. Spending time with the Father—learning what pleases Him and praying for discernment to make wise decisions—has two results. First, the Holy Spirit aligns our heart’s desires with Scripture; and second, we set ourselves up for blessing.

Delight in God derives from dedication to Him. When we commit our way to the Lord (v. 5), we allow His will and mandates to shape our thoughts, lifestyle, and goals. In other words, we acknowledge His right to determine whether our longing fits His plan.

Perhaps the hardest part of receiving the desires of our heart is waiting for them to materialize. Yet God’s Word insists that we rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him (v. 7). This means relying on Him to work out circumstances even when achieving our desire seems impossible. Taking matters into our own hands is not “helping Him out.”

God promises to give us our heart’s desires in His time when our requests are aligned with His will. Claim the promise as written, and He will bless you.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Defeating Discouragement

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Charles Stanley

Nehemiah 2:1-9

Over the course of a lifetime, disappointment will at times affect us all, causing temporary feelings of letdown. But if we are disappointed repeatedly, discouragement may set in. That can affect us in a variety of ways.

First, our mind becomes divided. We have difficulty concentrating, no matter where we are or who is with us. We keep thinking about the disappointment.

Next, we place blame. It’s easy to imagine we’ll feel better by claiming the problem is someone else’s fault. Or, we may get down on ourselves for our mistakes. We might even point the finger at God for allowing our trial.

As our attitude deteriorates, we start focusing on what we dislike or don’t have, and anger can occur; we lash out because people or circumstances have failed us. And unresolved anger often drives people away, increasing our disappointment.

In time, discouragement leads to unwise decisions. With a divided mind, a wrong focus, a negative attitude, and unresolved anger, we won’t think clearly or act in God-pleasing ways.

From Nehemiah’s story, we can learn how to defeat discouragement. After praying, we must look to God in anticipation of what He will do. The Lord moved the heart of the king, who showed favor toward his cupbearer by providing the soldiers and supplies he would need. Nehemiah accepted the help and moved forward to rebuild Jerusalem.

God will move hearts and send people to help us in discouraging times. Will you look to the Lord in hope and accept the assistance He sends?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Dealing With Discouragement

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Charles Stanley

Nehemiah 1:1-11

Discouragement can feel like a big weight upon our shoulders. It slows our steps, makes work more difficult, and diminishes our enjoyment of life.

When people regard our best efforts as unsatisfactory, their displeasure often drags us down. Constant criticism from a family member, neighbor, or coworker can affect how we feel about ourselves.

Dissatisfaction with our own performance can also prove discouraging. Perhaps this relates to a personal weakness we can’t overcome or a high personal expectation we have failed to meet. Either reason can cause dejection.

In addition, past disappointments at times cause us to feel little hope about the future. And financial pressures, declining health, and painful relationships can also take an emotional toll on us.

The life of Nehemiah teaches an important lesson about handling discouragement. He was a Hebrew living in Persia and serving as cupbearer to the king. When he received a report about the poor condition of Jerusalem and the plight of the Jewish remnant living there, he was deeply affected. In his dismay over their situation, Nehemiah turned to the Lord in prayer. He knew that only his great God could change the situation. Likewise, when we are discouraged, our first priority should be to cry out to our heavenly Father.

In his prayer, Nehemiah praised God’s awesome character, confessed his sins and the sins of others, recalled divine promises, and presented his petition. Let’s follow Nehemiah’s example and take our disappointments to the Lord in prayer.