Are we known by the Fruit of The Holy Spirit operating in our lives?
Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees when He freed a demonized man by casting out the demon by The Holy Spirit.
By The Holy Spirit, Matthew recorded this event and what Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 12:
22 Then a man was brought before Jesus who had a demon spirit that made him both blind and mute. Jesus healed him instantly, and he could see and talk again! 23 The crowds went wild with amazement as they witnessed this miracle. And they kept saying to one another, “Could this man be the Messiah?”
24 But when the Pharisees overheard what the people were saying, they said, “He casts out demons by the power of satan, the prince of demons!”
25 Jesus supernaturally perceived their thoughts and motives, so He told them this parable: “Any kingdom that fights against itself is reduced to ruins. And any family or community splintered by strife will fall apart.
26 So if satan casts out satan, he is making war on himself. How then could his kingdom stand?
27 So if satan empowers Me to cast out demons, who empowers your exorcists to cast them out? Go ask them, let them be your judges.
28 But, if I drive out demons by the power of the Spirit of God, then the end of satan’s kingdom has come!
29 Who would dare enter the house of a mighty man and steal his property? First he must be overpowered and tied up by one who is stronger than he. Then his entire house can be plundered.
Jesus acknowledged the ministry of the Jewish exorcists, so the Pharisees were not ignorant of such deliverance. Further, Jesus was operating in a Word of knowledge and discerning of spirits. Thirdly, Jesus explained the importance of The Holy Spirit’s ministry of casting out demons. A demon was the source of the man’s affliction of being both blind and mute. His problem was not physical but instead spiritual in nature.
Why are most churches inadequate in dealing with those who are afflicted in some manner? Could it be due to their unwillingness to focus on The Ministry of The Holy Spirit given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ? Are they simply holding onto what happened two thousand years ago and now rely on the world’s solutions to man’s problems? Isn’t this the same fundamental issue that the Pharisees revealed when they were relying solely on the Law of Moses rather than the solution for mankind revealed before their very eyes? Their pride and lust for power prevented them from seeing Who stood before them. If this the issue today as well?
Jesus confronted their blindness as He spoke the above parable. He then issued an Eternal warning for all of us to pay close attention to:
31 This is why I warn you. God will forgive people for every sin and blasphemy except one. There is no forgiveness for the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
32 If anyone speaks evil of Me, the Son of Man, he can be forgiven; but if anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will never be forgiven, now or ever!”
I must underscore the importance of the Ministry of The Holy Spirit! He should be at the forefront of our walk in every aspect of our life.
Jesus wasn’t done. He continued:
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Our words are the evidence of what prevails in our hearts, and we will be judged accordingly. The acts of Jesus proved His fruit to be good. We should endeavor to walk in the same power and authority of The Holy Spirit. Jesus authorized us in Mark chapter 16:
15 And Jesus said to them (and us), “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs (fruit) will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
How could we produce such fruit? It is because Jesus sent us The Holy Spirit to operate in us and through us for His glory!