Flesh Vs. Fruit

Studying Galatians 5 has caused me to think much about what we think is real fruit of Christianity.  As far as fundamental Christianity and Evangelical Christianity we are somewhat mixed up concerning what is the true produce (fruit) that Christ brings through walking in accordance with His Holy Spirit through the Word.  A person who claims a born-again experience or “prayed the prayer” but manifests in the course of life such obvious works of the flesh is either utterly without the Holy Spirit (completely lost and knows not Christ) or has so ignored the leadings of God’s Spirit so that he does more damage for the cause of Christ than good.  Consider what the Apostle says about flesh vs. fruit

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest (clear and plain), which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (These four would indicate a wholesale support of the sensual). Idolatry, witchcraft (these two would indicate a wicked worship both in form and function as well as object of worship).  Hatred, variance, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions (divisions), heresies (sects), envyings, murders (These are obviously related to bitterness and anger in relating to others-hateful & vengeaful practice in relationships).   Drunkenness, revellings (These are characteristic of fleshly wantonness and licentiousness, wholesale lust). . . they which do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance (control).” 

How vastly different is the man who Christ has claimed and therefore walks in the Spirit who in turn produces this good, juicy fruit.  We all want to be around this type of person–a loving, joyful, peace pursing, enduring, gentle, good, faithful, meek, and controlled individual– but who wants to be around and relate to the sensual-loving, Devil-loving, bitter-indwelling, lust-driven?  Fruit is so much better than flesh, but so many who name the name of Christ look more like flesh than fruit.  I guess it goes back to those who walk with the Spirit of God and those who do not walk with him or do not even posses him.