Yes, there is.
When we are living a life that is devoid of our own fleshly lusts, we will see results produced by the Spirit that is in us. The Holy Spirit will create overall feelings, moods, emotions that are collectively referred to as "fruits" (since these products are very similar to grapes on a vine in their number, growth and sweetness....)
In Galatians chapter 5, verses 22 and 23, we are given a checklist of what we will find being produced by the Spirit within us"
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Just to clear up any confusion about what each of these fruit are, it's time to do a favorite of mine - the list in Greek (after all, we should follow the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who, "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.")
Where the Spirit creates a kind, affectionate love, the flesh wants adultry, fornication, homosexuality. Where the Spirit makes gentle humility, the flesh desires to hate, to murder, to create strife and to bestow wrath. Spiritual patience is the counter to envy; faith is the opposite to idolatry and to witchcraft.
There will always be, as long as we are alive and bound to our fleshly nature, a struggle between the flesh and the Spirit.
- love - αγαπη (agape) - a kind, affectionate love
- joy - χαρα (chara) - cheerfulness or gladness
- peace - ειρηνη (eirene) - quietness or restful
- longsuffering - μακροθυμια (makrothumia) - patience
- gentleness - χρηστοτης (chrestotes) - morally excellent in character
- goodness - αγαθωσυνη (agathosune) - virtuous
- faith - πιστις (pistis) - assurance/reliance (in Jesus)
- meekness - πραοτης (praiotes) - gentle humility
- temperance - εγκρατεια (egkrateia) - self-control
Where the Spirit creates a kind, affectionate love, the flesh wants adultry, fornication, homosexuality. Where the Spirit makes gentle humility, the flesh desires to hate, to murder, to create strife and to bestow wrath. Spiritual patience is the counter to envy; faith is the opposite to idolatry and to witchcraft.
There will always be, as long as we are alive and bound to our fleshly nature, a struggle between the flesh and the Spirit.
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
Gal. 5:17
Gal. 5:17
But, we have the upper hand in such situations. We only need to remember....
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Phil. 4:13
Phil. 4:13
That which might well be too hard for us to fight on our own can be defeated for us by Jesus Christ. After all...
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
John 16:33
Grace and Peace....
