Psalm 112:1–9, Colossians 3:12–17, James 3:13–18 (read online ⧉)
Galatians 5:22–23 lists the following as fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
2 Peter 1:5–7 lists the following characteristics to pursue: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, love.
1 Timothy 6:11 has its own list of characteristics: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
Psalm 112 starts with praising of God, and then fearing God. How does this fit with the above? The same way as testing the spirits. Praising of God and fear (not punishing, but of awe) are foundational to testing the spirits. You cannot test without having an idea of the ideal. What is interesting is that the Psalmist goes on to that there will be a “natural” result of a legacy. However, as we all know, there is always free will, and those that follow may not continue the legacy that they were handed.
Colossians continues this with cloth, bear, forgive, let (peace), thanks, let (Christ’s message dwell), teach, admonish. The reason this passage of Colossians is important we continue thinking about testing the spirits is the concept of “let”. Far too often we try to do, and do not “let” God be God who dwells in us richly.
James, too, has the concept of let. Granted, it is a let show, but that still means don’t make a show. Let what comes out of you be natural not forced. Let it be God coming from you, not be “fake it till you make it.”
1) When it comes to “living” the Christian life, do you perceive it as natural to you, or is it “fake it till you make it?” Why do you feel that way?
2) Why is “let” important for the Christian life? Do you tend toward the opposite?
3) What is the danger of “letting” it being all that is part of your Christian walk?