The Fruit of the Spirit is........Longsuffering

We come now to the second “group” in the fruit of the spirit. The first three attributes, which we have now studied, are those that pertain to our relationship with God. We have seen how they have an effect on those around also. The second grouping is more to do with our relationship with others. How do we behave and react towards others in a spirit-filled way?

We commence with longsuffering. This is translated in many versions as simply “patience”, but this does not do justice to the full meaning of longsuffering – it is only PART of it. The fullest understanding goes a long way further than the image of someone patiently waiting for an expected good thing to happen. It even goes further than patiently dealing with another’s failings – such as a child who does not learn to display a character trait as quickly as we would like!

It is when we grasp the full meaning that we can outlive the attribute faithfully and effectively.

1. THE EXPLANATION OF LONGSUFFERING

The essence of longsuffering is a) the internal frame of mind that we possess, and b) the external demonstration in word and deed, of how we bear and endure DIFFICULTIES and TRIALS. Think of how the word divides – long + suffering – the key is in the suffering! Also, when we think of what the opposite to this is – short-tempered – then it helps us understand how we are to behave. It is not blowing up and exploding with emotion in response to ill-treatment or difficult situations. It is not snapping at people when we feel that they are in the wrong, or speak out of turn.

So, what are some of the definitions of longsuffering, from the great scholar’s?

The dictionary definition of the word includes; patiently enduring continual wrongs or trials; Enduring or capable of enduring hardship or inconvenience without complaint. See the verb “bearing” and “enduring” - these are indicator’s of the meaning that we will be studying.

See then the Hebrew word that is used

ארך
'ârêk
aw-rake'
long: - long [-suffering, -winged], patient, slow [to anger].

and ,


אף
'aph
af
properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: - anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.

Thinking of this figuratively, imagine, as it says above, the rapid breathing in anger. It describes the appearance of someone who is not dealing with something calmly. Longsuffering is the opposite of this reaction – being slow to get like this.

So, from this we could say that it is being “slow to anger” – not short tempered.


We then have the Greek translation and expansion of the word

μακροθυμία
makrothumia
mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah
longanimity, that is, (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude: - longsuffering, patience.


So, here we see more of an emphasis on “bearing” – bearing difficulties, problems and trials. Not only bearing them, but bearing them well, for a prolonged period, with an attitude of patience.

2.THE EXAMPLE OF LONGSUFFERING

Every element that we have studied, thus far, has firstly led us to the source of our fruit-filled life. This is no exception. This time, although the source of all that we say and do is from God, this is more of an example.

a) longsuffering towards us

Firstly, we know that the Lord time and time again, throughout His Word, has shown longsuffering towards His people. Think of the Israelites. The Lord had miraculously and wonderfully made a way for them to escape the oppression of the Egyptians. He had led them out by “His mighty hand” from their enemies. But, right from the start, they complained and moaned about nearly everything! “We don’t like the route you are taking us”, “we don’t like the food you have given us”, “we are thirsty” and on and on it went. He could have struck them down in an instant, for questioning His wisdom and power. But, He didn’t. He was longsuffering. He gave them ways to repent and return to follow Him instead of their own ways. He continually forgave them, and supplied their every need despite their complaining.

Exodus 34 : 6-7 says,

“The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,”

How much sin this nation displayed, but YET, how longsuffering God was towards them, HIS people.


Consider also the verse in I Peter 3:20

“when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”

Do you know how long God gave the people a chance to listen to Noah and repent? Noah was building the ark and preaching to them for about 120 YEARS!!! People mocked him in his task and did not listen to him – but God gave them that long to listen. He was longsuffering towards the people in their sin – He needed to judge the world, but He didn’t do it without first giving them PLENTY of opportunity to turn away from their sin and be saved from the judgement to come. What a picture of longsuffering!

We also find in Numbers 14:18

“The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression,”

He bears long with our sinful nature, as He did with His people of old – He forgave them of their iniquities and transgressions,

Verses 19+20

“Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:”

What an assurance for us, that the Lord bears long with our sin, and STILL forgives us!

We know that all these truths apply to us. We are sinners before His sight – we err and transgress. We falter and fail. But still he is longsuffering and willing to forgive.

b) longsuffering in the life of Christ

Secondly, we see numerous examples of how Christ was longsuffering in the face of persecution and ridicule. Throughout His years of preaching and teaching, he faced numerous assaults, both verbally and physically. People laughed at Him, and mocked Him – they doubted Him and sought to stone Him. How did He react? Did He shout and yell, and give them a “piece of His mind”? Did He think “they’re not nice to me, so I’ll not be nice to them” – no!

We see a perfect pattern of how to deal with suffering in I Peter 2 verses 21-24

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that
ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed
himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the
tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Firstly, we are reminded that Christ’s suffering was an example to us. We are to expect it, and to “follow in His steps” regarding how He dealt with it and reacted to it. So how did He react? When he was reviled, He did not retaliate. When He suffered, He did not retaliate. It then mentions something which should be a great help in dealing with such difficulties. He “committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously”! When we face difficulties with others, is it not so much easier, rather than taking matter’s into our own hands, and risking having the wrong attitude or words, to simply lay our problem at God’s feet – God who knows best how to deal with all things, and who alone judgeth righteously! There is no point stewing and worrying about a wrongdoing or a persecution, because it is higher hands than ours – the hands of a sovereign God.

I Timothy 1:16 also, says,

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”


Paul uses himself as an example of the longsuffering of Christ towards us – Paul, who considered himself the “chief of sinners”, for all the persecution and distress and hurt he caused towards those who were believers….and YET, Christ forgave Him and he was likewise saved. What longsuffering – to bear with his sins, and yet save him despite what he had done, is such a wonderful example of longsuffering and grace. It reminds us that God can, and does, save even the vilest of sinners, because He is a longsuffering God.

Then, of course, Christ’s ultimate example of longsuffering was His final day of suffering. He was mocked, falsely accused, spat upon, beaten. And His reaction – nothing. He didn’t say a word – “like a sheep before it’s shearers is dumb, so He openeth nit His mouth.” (Is. 53) He didn’t react violently or attempt to retaliate in any way. He just patiently endured His afflictions. What was His motivation? It was love – it was obedience to His Father’s will – it was joyfully redeeming His people from their sins and bearing their punishment. We can then, in our own situations, remember what we have already learned about love and peace. We have to show Christ’s love to other’s and what better way to do that as in how we react to persecution and distress.

So, then in I Timothy 1:16 we read

“that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should
hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

So, Christ’s suffering is a pattern to us – it is something we should seek to emulate and follow after
in OUR lives too.


3. THE EVIDENCE OF OUR LONGSUFFERING


How our longsuffering is outlived comes in two ways. It is both a) an inward attitude, and b) an outward reaction. In essence, a) has an influence over how effective b) becomes! If we don’t have that right attitude on the outside, then we are not going to be able to display the right reaction on the outside.

So, we need to then consider them in order.

A) OUR INWARD ATTITUDE


When considering a passage to best outline this, I came to I Peter chapter 3 – it shows us both points really well

Let’s start with verse 14

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”

So, when we suffer and go through difficulties, are we to be miserable and concerned?…NO – we must be HAPPY and NOT TROUBLED.

Then, coming into chapter 4 and verse 1


“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;”

As already mentioned, Christ is our perfect example in the face of suffering, and this verse brings us back to our example. We are to be “armed” with the same mind – ready and prepared, like a man in battle. But, rather than being ready to do battle, we are to be prepared to respond without sin towards the trials that we face.

John Gill, in his commentary, puts it so well.

As he suffered for you, do ye likewise suffer for him, in his cause, for righteousness sake, for the sake of him and his Gospel; and bear all reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions on his account, willingly and cheerfully, with meekness and patience, as he did, and with the same view; not indeed to make satisfaction for sin, which was his principal design, but that being dead unto sin, you might live unto righteousness.

We mustn’t have a “tit for tat” reaction to persecution, rather a righteous and God-honouring attitude.

Another verse worthy of note, in reference to our attitude in the face of trial, must be verse 8,

“and above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”

This is where we get the phrase “love covers a multitude”. If other’s sin towards us – if they cause us to go through difficulty and suffering - we are still to show love – it covers, literally “covers up, or hides”, the multitude of sins! We mustn’t seek to tell everyone of the wrongdoings done to us, or bad attitudes displayed towards us, rather the attitude of longsuffering, spurred by our love, should cover up what we endure.

When we come to verse 12 we are reminded to

“think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”

Remembering this,we are rather told in verse 13 to


“rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings…”

REJOICE!!! Be joyful that you are being allowed to go through these sufferings – we are sharing in what Christ endured for OUR SAKES!!! Be joyful that God has chosen us to go through difficulties and problems! Have the attitude of becoming more like Christ, our example, as we go through our trials.

Verse 14 carries on in this thread…


“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;”

Happy? Glad? When we are reproached? The next part tells us why we can feel like this, because….


“the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you”

What a blessed realization – we have the knowledge of God’s spirit and glory upon us in our trial. What greater motivation can we possibly have for being joyful in tribulation? His constant abiding brings us comfort to our souls.

Gill says again,

The Jews have a saying, that the Holy Ghost does not dwell on any, but on him that has a cheerful heart.

Then verse 16,

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

We are not to be ashamed of our suffering, but glorify God – give thanks and praise to Him, rather than be downcast.

And finally in verse 19,

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

It is not by chance that we suffer and endure hardship – rather, it is God’s sovereign design and plan that we should, and “He hath done all things well”, Mark 7:37. There are no mistakes with God, and when we remember that, then we will have the right heart response to our suffering.


Much to think upon to hone our minds when we go through trial and persecution!



Having considered how our attitudes should be when enduring hardship, what should our actions and words be in the same situations?




B) OUR OUTWARD REACTION

I Peter chapter 3 gives us some guidance as to how to behave. There is nothing deep or complicated – just simple instructions.

Firstly, we have a list of behaviours given in verse 8, which apply to how we react in trial, as it applies to ALL of our life – and specifically when it’s not easy – and OFTEN amongst fellow believer’s!

We have to
“have compassion” – if someone is going through a trial, then be sympathetic. Sometimes people are not at their best when things do not go well, and it is a perfect opportunity to be patient with them.

“love as brethren” – we can outlive our love by being forgiving towards others when they cause us suffering. What greater love can you show!

“be courteous” – be gentle in how you respond to others – harsh words never help a situation, only hinder it especially if someone else is already causing you hardship. Be civil and polite in how you respond – remembering that you are an “ambassador for Christ” – you are representing your Saviour at all times, and others are always there ready to point out if we slip up or fail in that calling. The vulgate Latin version of this word translates, “modest, humble,” not proud and haughty when someone else behaves wrongly towards you; and the Syriac version states “kind and meek”. What we say and do should be shown with kindness.

Verse 9 then warns against retaliation in a like for like manner,

“Not rendering evil for evil” - being vengeful is in essence trying to do God’s work for Him – it is God’s place to judge people for their wrongdoings, not ours. We do not have the advantage of a sinless nature in which to respond appropriately, so it is best to step back and let God deal with other’s when they wrong us.


“or railing for railing” – this is a term not in common usage today, but is with reference to WHAT we say – slander and bad-mouthing. If someone says something bad about you, don’t say something nasty in return! It’s just not nice – it’s sinful other than anything else! Bear in mind the verse in Matthew 12:34 “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” – what is in our hearts, is what will come out – get your heart to the right place, and you will not be tempted to speak in an unkind way

Verse 11 carries on

“Let him eschew evil” - another not so commonly used word – but it means literally “get out of the way of” evil – keep clear of situations and people that may bring you difficulties. Be in the world but not of it – don’t make friends of the world and it’s temptations, and you will not so easily find yourself in the path of trials. Not to say, of course, that it doesn’t frequently come from those closest to us…..

and, “let him seek peace, and ensue it.” Seek, when you are facing trial, to be peaceful in your response and actions – in your attempts to resolve difficulty and hardship. Don’t give people fuel for their persecution by dealing with things in a confrontational and reactionary way. SEEK peace – aim for it, find it, “ensue” or pursue it. Don’t settle for any less than a peaceful resolution to your trials.


So, we have considered where we receive our example of longsuffering, and how to exemplify it. Now to study further examples from scripture in some more detail and apply it to our own lives!

There are some further verses that give uis a pattern of how to respond to longsuffering.

Psalm 86:15 reads

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

It almost brings to us a checklist of our behaviour in times of suffering and difficulty.

“Am I showing compassion?” - again, the Lord is our great example of compassion. Many times in the scriptures we are reminded that He is a God of compassion – FULL of compassion, despite His people often turning from Him, he had compassion and forgave. (Deut 30:3,Psalm 145:8, Jer.12:15, Micah 7:19). When others wrong us do we still show that tender love and kindness towards them?

“Am I gracious?” - this is showing the opposite of what someone deserves – not just UNMERITED favour, but DEMERITED. Not simply that they didn’t do what was required to have favour, but they did something the opposite to DE-merit them. Being gracious is the ultimate expression of longsuffering.

“Am I being merciful?” - do we try and help those who despise us, show them kindness and generosity despite what they do to us?

“Am I delighting in the truth?” – do I make sure that I am following after what the scriptures teach me, and not going my own way in response to trial? Do I know what God teaches me to do, and am I determined to follow after it?

So, in conclusion, we must remember that

1.We find our greatest example in God’s compassion towards us
2.We must then seek to outlive that same longsuffering in our own lives.




STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Read II Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 3-5. What attributes are spoken of in relation to the Church in Thessalonica? What cause did the apostle’s have to glory in them?

2. Read II Timothy 2 verse 3. Who are we compared to in this verse? What are we to do? Now read I Peter 1 : 7 and 13. What other military terminology is used here? How should this help us in our reaction trials?

3. What principle do we have in Matthew 5:39? What would our human reaction be in a situation like this?

4. David showed a longsuffering attitude many times in his life, not least of all with King Saul. Read I Samuel 19:1 & 9-11, I Samuel 18:10-11. Now read I Samuel 24. What happened in this chapter? Would David have been justified in what he sought to do? What motivated him to withhold from his plan? What response did he receive from Saul? What can we learn from this? Now read I Samuel 26. Remember that King Saul was trying to hunt David down to kill him. Does this seem familiar? What further lessons can we learn from this passage? What honour is proffered in response to his longsuffering towards King Saul. What encouragement could we conclude from this as an example?


5. Read II Peter 1:5-8. What do we see happening here? What is the result of displaying these attitudes? What does this mean?


6. Can you think of other character’s in the Bible who display longsuffering? In what situation do they outlive it? How can you learn from them?

7. Read James 1:3-4. What do we learn here? What have we to allow? What will it result in? How does that apply to our own personal situations?

8. What situations are you facing with family, friends, people at Church, or other’s in your life, that requires longsuffering? How can you put into practice what we have discussed? What encouragement have you particularly been able to take from what we have learnt?

9. Read II Chronicles 30:8-12. What commandment were the people given? What aspect of longsuffering was the Lord showing to them here? What would their reward be?