Spiritual Litmus Test

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Now, the important question remains: How do we, as humans, live in the promises of God—to have only good and not evil? (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you... thoughts of peace and not of evil.”) The answer lies in discerning what spirit is at work within us. Here's the spiritual litmus test: are we operating under fear, doubt, and defeat—or are we walking in faith, authority, and victory, knowing who we are in Christ?

Galatians 5:22-23

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Galatians 5:22-23 💗

Holy Spirit Working through Humanity - “Jesus gave us life and more abundantly.”

1. Manifestation of the Holy Spirit Working through Humans

2. Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

   • Love - Galatians 5:22; Romans 12:18

   • Joy - Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12

   • Peace - Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:32

   • Patience (Longsuffering)- Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12

   • Kindness - Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:32

   • Goodness - Galatians 5:22; Romans 12:9

   • Faithfulness - Galatians 5:22; 1 Cor. 4:2

   • Gentleness - Galatians 5:23; 1 Peter 3:15

   • Self-Control - Galatians 5:23; Titus 2:11–12

Evil Working through Humanity

1. The devil destroys, steals, and kills.

2. Manifestation of the Evil Working through Humans

   • Fruit of Evil Galatians 5:19–21,(NIV)

   • Hatred, selfishness, discord - Galatians 5:20; 2 Tim. 3:2–3

   • Misery, despair, depression, bitterness - Proverbs 14:10; Ecclesiastes 2:17

   • Anxiety, worry, conflict, turmoil - Galatians 5:20; Philippians 4:6

   • Anxiety, worry, conflict, turmoil - Proverbs 14:29; James 1:19–20

   • Cruelty, harshness, rudeness - Titus 3:3; Romans 1:29–31

   • Evil, wickedness, immorality - 2 Timothy 3:3; Galatians 5:19

   • Disloyalty, unreliability, inconsistency - Proverbs 25:19; Hosea 6:4

   • Harshness, abrasiveness, aggression - Galatians 5:20; Proverbs 15:1

   • Indulgence, impulsiveness, lack of restraint - Proverbs 25:28; Galatians 5:21

So the question becomes: how do we, as redeemed humans, live in the promises of God—to walk in His goodness and not be overcome by evil? One vital answer is self-examination. Scripture teaches us, “For if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31, NKJV). In other words, if we regularly examine our hearts, align our actions with God’s Word, and remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we avoid much of the correction that would otherwise come upon us."We can refer to this list to measure where we are spiritually. If we find ourselves experiencing anything from the bottom half of the list, we can ask for forgiveness and invite Daddy God to help us overcome in each area."