Fruits of The Holy Spirit - Patience/Long-suffering

FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PATIENCE/LONG-SUFFERING Presented by Michelle and Sean Manders W4JC Prayer & Deliverance Ministry – Setting Generations Free

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience/longsuffering), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.�

Greek Meaning of PATIENCE Strongs #

Greek

Transliterated

English Equivalent

makrothymeō

be patient, have patience, have long patience, bear long, suffer long, be longsuffering, patiently endure

New Testament (Greek) for "patience"

G3114

μακροθυμέω

G3115

μακροθυμία

makrothymia

longsuffering, patience

G5281

ὑπομονή

hypomonē

patience, enduring, patient continuance, patient waiting

Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

1.to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart 1. to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles 2. to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others 1. to be mild and slow in avenging 2. to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend) μακροθυμέω makrothyméō, mak-roth-oomeh'-o; from the same as G3116; to be longspirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient:—bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.

Patience – Work Through You: ◦ Patience is defined as “waiting without complaint.” However, it is better defined as “to be patient is to endure discomfort without complaint.” ◦ Jesus is the ultimate example of this. He was patient with His unbelieving disciples who sometimes didn’t “get” what He was saying, and often struggled believing who He said He was. In spite of Jesus' miracles and words of wisdom, they were focused upon themselves and wavered in their belief about who he really was. To say that was uncomfortable for Jesus would be an understatement. Yet do we find him railing at his disciples over their foolishness and stupidity? Or making fun of them when they make mistakes? ◦ Occasionally He does remark that His disciples are slow to believe, or He asks rhetorically how long they will fail to have faith in Him, but these are always appropriate reminders about just what was at stake for them. These were fitting and useful rebukes, not petty venting. ◦ Patience involves such things as self-control, humility, and generosity, all of which are themselves virtues. So one might say that patience is a virtue because it's an exercise of several other virtues. ◦ One type is the patience needed when facing a nuisance of some kind. A person or a set of circumstances really irritates you, and you'd love to complain about it, but you hold your tongue, knowing that such a grievance would be petty or simply compound the problem. That person at the office who is so insufferably annoying doesn't, after all, mean to pester you. And what good will it do to moan about those potholes on your street, or traffic? So you quietly endure these things. Did you know you were being virtuous in doing so? ◦ A second type of patience is called for when facing boredom. Those who fall into a rut at work or at home often experience discomfort over the uneventful routine. To those who don't struggle with boredom, it might seem absurd to suggest it can be a serious trial. But those who endure the plague of drab routine without complaint exhibit the virtue of patience. ◦ A third type of patience is the most serious and significant. It is the patience required when one suffers in some way, either physically or psychologically. If you're struggling with some disease or mental illness, then patience is required of you. Or if you must assist someone else who suffers, a family member or friend, then you are called upon to be patient. Whether you bear the burden of affliction directly or indirectly, your challenge is to endure that discomfort. This doesn't mean you shouldn't cry out in your distress. Scripture, in fact, advises us to do just that, so it's appropriate because the degree of discomfort in some situations warrants complaint. But this raises some important questions: What is a complaint? And which complaints are worthy?

Patience – Strengthens You: ◦ In every Christian's life there comes a time when one must wait upon God. Sometimes we must wait for a need to be met, such as finding a job. Other times we must wait for the satisfaction of a significant desire, like finding a spouse or conceiving a child. At other times we wait for God to fulfill a promise, to comfort during a trial, or to give us assurance of our forgiveness for some sin. In these cases, we must be patient with God. ◦ The patience God wants us to have is not something we can muster up, grow into, or reason our way to having. God's patience is wholly different and supernatural. But the quality and quantity of patience God desires us to have can only come from Him. Surrendering control to Him takes (spiritual) strength. ◦ We are naturally self-centered and pleasure seeking - egocentric. We naturally want to resist suffering and prolong pleasure. Our tendency toward escapism and being immediately aware of only our thoughts and feelings prove this. Thus being patient when it comes to the absence of instant gratification, sacrifice and waiting on God strengthens our faith, character and humbles us. These are strengths NOT weaknesses. ◦ It strengthens us by fostering compassion for others who are struggling with things that are not an issue for us. Instead of judging, getting annoyed and ridiculing them, we practice compassion – patiently. ◦ Enduring hardship strengthens our ability to endure.

Patience – Matures You: ◦ James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” According the NKJV Study Bible commentary 1:4 – “If a believer endures a trial, he or she will be perfect, meaning “having reached the end,” and complete, meaning ‘whole.’” ◦ Results in better decision making. Take the time to assess the situation, see the big picture, and weigh any pros and cons. The chances of making a big mistake lessen because you avoid making it in haste. Mature responses and informed decisions. ◦ Helps develop understanding, empathy and compassion. Mature responses to other peoples struggles. ◦ It teaches us to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and not on the problem, and to trust His timing regarding whatever we are facing. This is a mature attitude towards our trials.

Patience – Leads You: ◦ It’s amazing to see how God uses time, and yet He, Himself is not bound by it. He uses time for a purpose. When we practice hope in times of waiting, we are developing patience, and we are cultivating our character, growing in dependence on God, and growing into the likeness of Jesus. We are following Jesus’s example and, therefore, we can lead by His example ◦ Waiting with a hopeful and expectant heart produces opportunity for the Lord to move in a powerful way and lead us along His righteous path avoiding the pitfalls Satan sets up for us to fall prey to. ◦ By practicing patience through the power of the Holy Spirit, we learn to follow His example of grace towards us and reflect that grace and patience toward others. ◦ God patiently gives us opportunity for repentance – He leads us to repentance when we patiently obey Him. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 (NIV)

Patience – Guides Your Heart: ◦ “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5-6 ◦ “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.” Proverbs 23:26. When we patiently obey the Lord He will protect our hearts and lead us not into temptation. ◦ “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

Proverbs 4:23-27. ◦ “Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6. ◦ “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21.

Patience – Critical for Growth: ◦ Patience requires power – Holy Spirit power. The Holy Spirit inside of us gives us the ability to practice patience, and to grow our capacity for patience. ◦ As we grow in the Spirit, and as we learn to yield to the Holy Spirit, we begin to gain the capacity for patience, and we become more like Jesus. ◦ In the midst of trials and challenges, we can choose to strengthen and encourage ourselves in the Lord, or we can choose to complain and risk hardening our hearts. Maintaining a heart of thanksgiving in the midst of longsuffering is an opportunity for the Lord to do a “perfecting work” of patience in us. As we spend time in His presence, we grow in patience. ◦ Sometimes our Heavenly Father will nudge us out of our comfort zone, but He always does it with our best in mind. It is through these uncomfortable circumstances and situations that the Lord can teach us to depend on His strength to help us endure. Patience has as lot to do with learning to trust God through such difficult or uncomfortable circumstances. Through everything, keep your mind on Him – this is true spiritual growth in Him.