Title: Stapling On the Fruit of the Spirit
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00:29 When Does Not "Feeling It" Cross Over Into Hypocrisy?
06:22 Shouldn't the Fruit of the Spirit Feel Automatic?
18:47 What's Next?
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* **Galatians 5:16–18**: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
* **Galatians 5:22–23**: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
* **Galatians 5:13**: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
* **Galatians 2:11–14**: “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”
* **Psalm 1:3**: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
* **Romans 8:13**: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
* **Romans 6:11**: “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
* **Romans 6:13**: “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”
* **Philippians 1:6**: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
* **Philippians 2:12–13**: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
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This conversation explores what it means to follow Christ when your emotions lag behind your convictions. Pastors Jed and Isaias distinguish hypocrisy from sincere struggle, noting that hypocrisy masks indifference, while a sincere believer wrestles honestly and seeks to obey even when feelings falter. Galatians shapes the discussion, reminding us that the fruit of the Spirit grows in the tension between flesh and Spirit and often through active dependence, not passivity. God calls us to act in love even before desire catches up, while confessing coldness and asking Him to shape our hearts. Rather than seeing forced obedience as false, the discussion points to a life where confession, prayer, and faith-filled action align us with the Spirit’s work, trusting that He forms true love, joy, peace, and self-control over time.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.
