Weapons for the Believer 4.3 – The Fruit of the Spirit - Patience

Weapons for the Believer 4.3 – The Fruit of the Spirit - Patience

According to Paul, there are weapons of warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We are considering ten weapons that the Believer has at their disposal. We looked earlier at The Fruit of the Spirit in the post “Weapons for the Believer 4.” If you haven’t read it I encourage you to do so.  Paul gives us two lists in the passage in Galatians.

Galatians 5:22 (ESV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The original post on The Fruit of the Spirit (Weapons for the Believer 4) I mentioned a popular way of looking at this topic. Some teach that the Fruit of the Spirit is singular, Love, with each of the other fruit coming from the one. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to go back and read it.

Now I’m considering each Fruit of the Spirit in this manner. This time we are looking at Patience. Using Patience as the focus let’s see how it is reflected in our experience with the Lord.

            The Fruit of the Spirit is Patience.

Love is the evidence of Patience.

Joy is the outgrowth of Patience.

Peace is the force behind Patience.

Kindness is the face of Patience.

Goodness is the character of Patience.

Faithfulness is the reputation of Patience.

Gentleness is the response of Patience.

Self-control is the endurance of Patience.

Patience is probably one of the strongest evidences of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer. Patience reveals humility. Most impatience is driven by pride, saying, “I can do it better, faster, etc., etc.” Patience is not the natural response of most people, but for the Believer it shows that God’s work is taking root in them. James described the importance of Patience.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

When Patience (here interpreted as steadfastness) is perfected we do not have lack. That is powerful indeed. Paul included Patience in almost every list of qualifications he gave to those desiring to be involved in ministry.

1 Timothy 6:11 (ESV)

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness (patience), gentleness.

2 Timothy 3:10 (ESV)

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

Titus 2:2 (ESV)

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness (patience).

Patience is more than just an ideal that we are to strive for as Believers. It is the place that God wants us to be as a result of yielding to the Holy Spirit, thus, a Fruit of the Spirit. Patience is one of the most telling marks of a mature Believer.

There is a standard joke that is told regarding Patience. “Pray for Patience, then duck!” This is said because of what James said about Patience. He said, “Trials bring faith, and faith brings Patience.” No one likes the ideas of trials, but the reality is trials come. Our response will determine whether it leads us toward, or away from, a deeper relationship with our God.

Let Patience have its perfect work so we will become like Jesus.