What did the Lord mean when He said “Blessed are the meek?” The Apostle Paul added to the Lord’s revelation when he taught the Galatians that meekness is a fruit of the Spirit.
What then, is fruit?
I believe that fruit is the manifestation of the power of the resurrection in a person’s life. Simply put, does an individual demonstrate in his or her life that Jesus Christ is alive?
As Jesus taught, “if we abide in Him, then we will bear fruit.” So in order to manifest fruit, we must abide in Him. To abide is “to live in” or “to dwell.” Jesus also revealed that He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. So, abundant life is a synonym for “fruit.”
Since the just shall live by faith, if we walk in faith, then our lives should be fruitful. Our faith is our evidence of the power of the resurrection. When we believe on the resurrection, we believe that Jesus is alive. Therefore, to bear fruit, is to consistently live by faith, in a manner that demonstrates that Jesus Christ is no longer in the tomb. It is a power that is demonstrated without even the necessity of quoting a scripture. Demonstration of power will be apparent in those who have the Holy Ghost in them.
Demonstrations of power are obtained by building one’s foundation upon the Rock. Jesus declared that if we built our house upon the rock, and not upon sand, when the storms of life attack us, we will remain standing. In this context, then once again, the 9 fruit of the Spirit represent “the rock.” From an architectural, natural standpoint, when we build a house, we would like to have confidence in its foundation. Therefore, when we look for fruit that will demonstrate the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we should examine where the client or captive has placed his or her confidence.
There is such a thing as “fake fruit.” I am sure that you have at one time been fooled by plastic or rubber fruit sitting in a bowl as the center piece on a dining room table. Sometimes these plastic replicas look even better than the real thing from a distance. However, up close, you can see that there is no life in fake fruit. This is also true of fake spiritual fruit.
Take for example the fruit of meekness or humility. Those who are “fake”, may appear to have a lack of self-confidence. However, at the root of their apparent meekness may be compulsive modesty. In such instances, the captive’s pattern is to overlook his own viewpoint, suggesting that the thoughts and ways of others are more reliable than his own. False humility of this kind will lead the captive to not feel safe unless a significant other in his life will protect, defend, advise or nurture him.
In such cases, the captive loses the capability to take responsibility for his own life. With women, the Adam’s Rib Syndrome develops, where she does not view herself as a whole person without a mate to help her feel complete.
False meekness also manifests itself when professing Christians who have low self concept develop techniques and processes whereby the self is placed in the background by losing self-regard. In an attempt to avoid anger at all cost, the captive will repress hostility and will become self-effacing. Some captives will merely adjust their behavior to adapt to the stronger personality, while others will allow their personalities to be changed by stronger people. People like this are often wrongfully perceived as having the fruit of meekness.
As a case in point, women suffering from the “Adam’s Rib Syndrome” tend to build their foundation upon the sand, where their partner is at the center. The woman will undoubtedly expect the partner to fulfill all of her expectations, becoming a ready victim to a demonic soul tie. She is left vulnerable to manipulation and domination, where the fruit of love is also bogus and without power. Love is a fruit of the spirit that is liberating, for as the scriptures indicate, perfect love casts out fear. However, the Adam’s Rib Syndrome is not based upon true, solid love. In fact, carnal love can become in itself a stronghold that leads to fear of desertion and a fear of being alone. As an example, a woman who is dependent upon an abusive partner will be hindered from making any independent moves of her own. Therefore, those in bondage to such a stronghold are most likely to lack spontaneity of feeling, thought and will power.
Each stronghold will create a specific fear or doubt as well as an accompanying pride system that will be difficult to break through. Christians so bound, will often attribute their strongholds to demons, when in actuality, casting out a demon will not bring any lasting relief. This is because the stronghold is embedded in the captive’s personality and is therefore a stronghold in the soul. In cases where there has been little to no personality change, it will seem as though deliverance has failed when in reality, the root of the problem was not so much demonic as it was “soulical.” Casting out demons may bring a momentary sense of freedom or joy. Even so, a substantial, solid deliverance is one where the fruit of true meekness has been planted and nurtured.
Since meekness is the doorway to blessing, any captive in need of deliverance must become poor in spirit. (Matthew 5) To be poor in spirit is to be emptied of one’s character defects. Deliverance will empty the captive from demons, but these demons and others will ultimately return if the conditions that provided them a safe haven still remain. Therefore, my job as a bearer of the word of God is to seek the help of the Holy Spirit to sensitize a conscience that has been hardened by the pride of life. Meekness is manifested when the captive comes to the realization that his thoughts are not as high as the Lord’s thoughts, nor his ways higher than the Lord’s ways.
Continual brokenness before the Lord Jesus Christ has sustained me with a simple, yet a profound truth and it is this. “Whatever does not originate in your inward parts–in your spirit–will not bring you life.” In this regard, I have learned through personal experience that false or counterfeit spirituality may appear to produce a beneficial result but it cannot grant authentic, lasting, resurrection life. I have entered into the Lord’s rest because I myself have labored by the revelation of the Holy Ghost. No more vain strivings for success according to man’s standards. If I speak no more for the remainder of my life, I will remain satisfied. For with each of my seven books, I believe that I have declared more than a mouthful.
Like an author or an artist, very often a prophet’s fruit is not fully manifested until after his or her death. John the Beloved is a poignant example of a prophet who is even yet waiting among the mighty cloud of witnesses for the inspired words that he wrote on the isle of Patmos to be completely fulfilled at the appointed time. What I myself have learned on this spiritual journey with Jesus Christ can fill several books, and if the Lord allows me to live, I hope that other books shall l be written.
I have also begun to mentor and nurture other Christian writers, beginning with Wenona Russ and her first e-book entitled “The Makings of a False Prophet.” I see great strength. and power in Wenona’s work. Why? Because I see the root of meekness manifesting in her walk as a Christian non-fiction author who has a powerful message to proclaim, borne out of a fruitbearing life.
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