Last time we concluded the analysis of Paul's prayer in Phil 1:9-11;as expanded by the Gal 5:22-23 passage and began a short study on just what this fruit or production in the believer's life is and what it is not.

We have seen the word translated fruit is the Greek word " καρπός karpos "which means that which is produced.

We closed last time by noting the correspondence between God the Father and TLJC and TLJC and the believer and saw that the source of the production of the humanity of TLJC was God the Father, and the source of production of the believer is TLJC and this enablement is accomplished by the Word of God John 17:6-8;

A similar, but more direct kind of correspondence exists between the believer and God the Holy Spirit.

The works of the humanity of TLJC were enabled by God the Holy Spirit. Matt 12:28; Luke 4:1,14,18; Acts 10:38; as are the works of the believer; Gal 2:20; Phil 2:13; Phil 4:13;

God the Holy Spirit >> The Humanity of TLJC = God the Holy Spirit >> The believer

Preceding the passage where the facets of the fruit of the spirit are described, Gal 5:22-23; there is the mandate in Gal 5:16; where the word translated walk is "peripateo" is in the present active imperative and should be translated" I command you to keep on walking by means of the Spirit and you will not perform the desire of the OSN"

The Holy Spirit empowers and enables the believer to overcome the desires and works of the OSN which results in God the Holy Spirit producing the fruit in the believer.
Gal 5:22-23;

The believer is the recipient and channel of a new life that is provided and enabled by God the Holy Spirit, and the fruit that is produced originates in this new life.

The production of God the Holy Spirit and the characteristics demonstrated in the believer's life are "lived out" as the believer "lives in" the PPOG through their application of Bible Doctrine under the mentorship of God the Holy Spirit.

This production includes anything the believer does in that status which would include anyone the believer has led to Christ since they, are Spirit given "products" of their witness of Christ. 1Thes 2:19;

Since this fruit is defined as being sourced in the Holy Spirit it's authenticity is not based in what is externally visible it is based on the motivation of the believer. Heb 4:12;

Two believers who go through virtually the same set of motions may convey the impression that they are equally fruitful, yet in the spiritual life one may be fruitful and the other unfruitful.

The acts of one are products of God's power as they are released through the believer, while the acts of the other are counterfeits with no quality higher than the performance of the OSN empowered by the resources of first birth.

We have seen that God sees through the visible and looks at the motivation for the production in order to accurately distinguish the good fruit from the bad fruit.

When believers understand this, and have discernment (Phil 1:9;) they are able evaluate what is true and what is false. Phil 1:10a;

Some examples of things that are commonly perceived by non discerning believers as "fruit" but which may not be.

Success: Luke 12:16-21;

When believers appear to be successful in their niche in life and are liked by other people, it is popular to label them as "fruitful."

Believers categorize others on the basis of impressions, which may or may not be correct and accurate discernment. It is possible to confuse outward visible success with fruit.

As we have seen, Fruit is a production of the inward reality and quality related to Bible Doctrine and God the Holy Spirit which goes deeper than visible impressions.

A seemingly fruitful believer may, in actuality not be producing genuine fruit at all because the true motivation behind what is visibly seen as "success" is a function of blessing by association or the production of the OSN such as anger, malice, vindictiveness, greed, envy or jealousy, the lust for power, or the need to assuage guilt.

An example of this is Nabal which means, "fool" 1Sam 25:2-3;

Another believer may outwardly look like a failure in some areas of life, and yet is functioning with proper motivation while God builds capacity in them.

Remember the example of Moses who for his first 40 years was the heir apparent in Egypt and then for the next 40 years was herding sheep in the desert while God prepared him to have the humility, gentleness and self-control necessary to lead Israel from Egypt.

It is possible for fruitfulness and outward visible success to occur simultaneously, but this may not always be the case because fruitfulness and success in life are not exactly equivalent.

Sensationalism: 1Cor 13:1-3;

Some believers equate fruitfulness with the sensational.

Those who are attractive and have an outgoing exciting personality are more likely to rally support, but that does not necessarily mean that their motives are based in Bible Doctrine and empowered by God the Holy Spirit.

Many choose who they will follow on the basis of their personality rather then the doctrine being taught. 1Cor 3:4;

For some, their activity in local assembly must involve alot of energy and excitement for them to consider it effective and fruitful.

In reality, however, many important areas of service in the local assembly go without much notice. For example teaching children Bible Doctrine, helping those who have needs or working in some supporting role behind the scenes.

One believer's activity may be very visible, another's comparatively obscure and not readily noticeable, but the fruit produced is determined by the motivation not the visiblity.

Paul spoke of this in 1Cor 9:27; regarding his very visible function as apostle versus his invisible position as a priest.

Remember God pulled David from obscurity to become the king of Israel. 1Sam 16:10-12; because his soul contained the correct doctrine. 1Sam 13:14; and he was actually trained by Saul who he was to replace. 1Sam 16:21;

Sensationalism and fruit production may occur together, but sensationalism does not automatically imply fruitfulness.

Sectarianism. Rom 10:2-4;

A believer in a denomination can appear to be abundantly fruitful in performing the activities demanded by that denomination. There are those who equate fruit with dedicated zeal for outward group protocol or ritual or what can be called "the program."

This visible activity may only be an outward facade of going through the motions in order to be accepted or approved by people. Gal 6:12;

It is not the believer's service to their denomination that determines their fruitfulness; rather it is the believer's motivation from Bible Doctrine and God the Holy Spirit to do that service that is the source of whatever fruit is produced.

Perceiving the sacred and the secular as mutually exclusive. Gal 2:20;

Some believers have a false sacred vs secular antithesis where they artificially compartmentalize life and view some things as strictly secular and others as strictly sacred.

Because of this they may feel at ease at church but when they go into "the world" at their workplace, they doubt that Christ can relate to them in their work in the same way as he can at church or in what they categorize as sacred activities or surroundings.

The truth, however, is that spiritual fruit is a product of Christ's life functioning within the believer at all times and circumstances.

God indwells the believer's body, which is a spiritual temple, so that wherever the believer goes and whatever they do, their work can be sacred because it is a function of TLJC living inside them and as a result whatever they do produces fruit and glorifies God. 1Cor 6:19-20;