The Fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering
Do you want to learn more about the Fruit of the Spirit and how it can apply to your life? Do you desire to understand its biblical importance? Then join us below as we answer these and other questions about the attribute of the Fruit of the Spirit that is Longsuffering!
The Fruit of the Spirit:
In Galatians 5:22-23 we find a list of nine attributes that make up the “Fruit of the Spirit” which develop within us as we live according to the Holy Spirit—living in alignment with God’s will and character. These are:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Longsuffering
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”—Galatians 5:22-23
Yet, what do these mean for our lives, and what does the Word say about them?
The Fruit of the Spirit, Longsuffering
In the New King James version of the Word, the fourth characteristic listed in the Fruit of the Spirit is “longsuffering,” while in some versions it is termed as “patience.” Yet, no matter how it’s referenced, it is a vital aspect in the Fruit of the Spirit for the Body of Christ.
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, to be long-suffering is to be: “patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship.”
According to the same dictionary, to be patient is to be:
- “bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint”
- “manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain”
- “not hasty or impetuous”
- “steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity”
- “…able or willing to bear…”
To be longsuffering, or patient, is to possess endurance. It is remaining in God’s will, His character—love, peace, etc.—no matter what or how long we might have to endure something or wait for promise.
One reason this is an important aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit is because God’s timing is perfect. Yes, sometimes the enemy—or even our own actions or thoughts—can delay things. Then, prayer or going into the Courts of Heaven may be required. But GOD’s timing is perfect. If we remain aligned with Him, pray, and seek Him in the Courts of Heaven, then His timing WILL prevail. His perfect timing meant for our Kingdom good!
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”—2 Peter 3:9
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:”—Ecclesiastes 3:1
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.”—Deuteronomy 32:4
Our Father knows that we need to have the character of longsuffering because sometimes what we expect in terms of our own timing is different than His. Yet, beyond that, this necessary quality of the Spirit’s Fruit is vital in times of testing because God NEVER allows our testing beyond what we can endure. So, while the enemy may attack us—perhaps even allowed for the building of our character—with longsuffering… we WILL always make it to the other side of any storm. Any test.
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.”—1 Corinthians 10:13 (TPT)
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”—2 Samuel 22:31
God, the giver of this fruit through the Holy Spirit, has everything in hand.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11
Being Longsuffering
So, now that we understand the importance of being longsuffering or patient in all situations and circumstances… how do we implement that? After all, waiting and thriving in every season is not always easy.
“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”—James 5:8
Well, the first answer, as with any attribute of the Spirit’s fruit, is to SEEK the Holy Spirit. To listen to Him. Ask Him for guidance and, of course, the ability to be longsuffering/patient in ALL circumstances. With man this is impossible. However, with God, nothing is impossible.
“For with God nothing will be impossible.”—Luke 1:37
If we turn to the Holy Spirit, lending our ears and heart to Him, if we pray the Blood of Jesus over ourselves and every situation, if we inquire as to Godly peace… in all these we will find greater endurance. A level of joy, peace, and longsuffering that the world cannot give. That only God provides…
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”—Luke 11:13
When presented with something that appears impossible, or when losing patience, we can take a moment to focus on God. By bringing up a verse of Scripture, or praying in tongues, we take ourselves from the fast spinning wheel of the enemy’s timeclock and return to God’s. Now, there may be days where this is not easy, yet, by creating a habit and pattern of listening to the Holy Spirit before making any major decisions or speaking in difficult situations—asking God’s guidance—we will find that focusing on God becomes second nature…
In fact, we will find that we can return to the nature God placed within His children before the foundation of the world; before we were in our mother’s womb. That is, the nature of Christ… for God, who loved us more than we can fully grasp, made US in HIS image!
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”—Genesis 1:27
We are His. And with Him, there is nothing we cannot face. There is nothing too long or too hard for us to live in lack of with this precious gift of the Fruit of the Spirit: longsuffering, patience… In all circumstances. In every storm. In every day!
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”—Psalm 40:1
Would you like to learn more about longsuffering? Then click HERE to discover the benefits of being longsuffering!
Would you like to give of the favor you have found through being longsuffering? Then click HERE to discover how!
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Would you like to discover your Godly strengths? Then click HERE to find what God has put within you!
“And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty…’”
—Exodus 34:6-7