Gentle Persuasion Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Gentle Persuasion ----------------------- Date: 07/14/1999 Keywords: "fruit" "gentleness" "Spirit" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. eXXit advertises itself as a Web site designed to help you "stand strong in the face of sexual temptation." In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul lists nine "fruit of the Spirit," fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer. Each of these fruits — if produced — will greatly aid a believer who seeks to "stand strong." At eXXit, we believe that: The fruit of the Spirit is produced in the life of a healthy Christian, just as apples appear on a healthy apple tree. If there is any love or joy or peace in a Christian, it is ultimately the work of God. Christians can cooperate with the Spirit's desire to produce His fruit in their lives by yieldedness, faith, obedience and involvement in ministry. We hope you enjoy and benefit from these meditations on Galatians 5! Send us any feedback. We'd love to know what you think. Passage: Galatians 5:22-23* 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Questions 1. Do you scold yourself after viewing Web smut?   2. If yes, does the scolding prevent you from stumbling again?   Practical help Self-admonition helps few porn strugglers stand strong, often magnifying the sin instead of the solution. The Holy Spirit's approach to our sin, while not more tolerant, is gentler — and, for that matter, kinder and more patient (see verse 22 above). He woos our sexual purity, not wrings it out of us. He draws us with lovingkindness (Jeremiah 31:3). When you need to repent, invoke God's gentle Spirit, not your harsh self-talk, to persuade you of your sin — and strengthen your resistance next time you're tempted. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version, © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.