Stand Firm in Your Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit of GOODNESS, Part 2

2) Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…

3) Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) – [22] But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence)…

4) Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG) – [22] But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people…

1. The Meaning of Goodness

a. Goodness means “an uprightness of heart and life, a moral excellence.”

b. It is a purity in heart and a righteousness in conduct.

2. The Source of Goodness

a. Goodness is an attribute of God.

b. All that God is, and all that God does, is good.

c. Absolutely every good thing comes from God.

d. God’s goodness is manifested to us through His love and faithfulness.

e. Affliction and suffering can produce goodness in us.

3. The Expression of Goodness

a. No one is good except God. (Mark 10:17-18)

Mark 10:17-18 (NIV) – [17] As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “GOOD teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] “Why do you call me GOOD?” Jesus answered. “No one is GOOD—except God alone.”

b. God gives His goodness to those who fear Him. (Psalm 31:19)

Psalms 31:19 (NIV) – [19] How great is your GOODNESS, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

c. Those who are in the light will manifest the fruit of goodness. (Ephesians 5:8-9)

Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV) – [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all GOODNESS, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord.

d. Goodness begins in the heart. (Matthew 12:33-35; Luke 6:43-45)

Matthew 12:33-35 (NIV) – [33] “Make a tree GOOD and its fruit will be GOOD, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything GOOD? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The GOOD man brings GOOD things out of the GOOD stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”

Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) – [43] “No GOOD tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. [45] The GOOD man brings GOOD things out of the GOOD stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

e. If we are good, we will act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)

Micah 6:8 (NIV) – [8] He has showed you, O man, what is GOOD. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

f. If we persist in doing good, we will reap a harvest. (Galatians 6:9)

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – [9] Let us not become weary in doing GOOD, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

g. Those who do good are from God; those who do evil are not. (3 John 11)

3 John 11 (NIV) – [11] Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is GOOD. Anyone who does what is GOOD is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

h. We are to do good to everyone, especially other Christians. (Galatians 6:10)

Galatians 6:10 (NIV) – [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do GOOD to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

i. We overcome evil by doing what is good. (Romans 12:21)

Romans 12:21 (NIV) – [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with GOOD.