I thought this was it, the big shift in our lives … that things were going to start flowing in a constant positive direction. I was believing to fully walk and live in the promise land when suddenly I realized I had entered a new wilderness season.
When Paul was down for the count and in prison, others began rising up in his place. They were teaching doctrine that competed with what Paul was teaching … They were teaching out of a heart of jealousy, competition, and misguided ambition.
When we talk about the fruits of the spirit we can sometimes forget that faithfulness is even listed as one of the fruits. So what is faithfulness?
“Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ]. Be angry[at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you…