To carry on with my "Fruit Of The Spirit" series, we take a third look at the fruit of "Love." So far we've looked at Agape and Eros so this month, we'll focus on brotherly/friendship love which in the Greek, is the word, Phileo.
I hope this little meditation can give us cause to praise God for the godly friendships He's placed within our lives and may we seek to be a godly friend in the lives of those around us! L x
Galatians 5:22-25
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Fruit Of Focus- Love (Phileo/Philia)I hope this little meditation can give us cause to praise God for the godly friendships He's placed within our lives and may we seek to be a godly friend in the lives of those around us! L x
Galatians 5:22-25
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
"Gracious Father, Gentle Saviour, Lord You have been good to me.
Jesus, You have saved my soul and called me to a life that’s free!
Help me Lord, to serve Your people. Keep my heart in check, I pray.
Since I now live by the Spirit, may I walk in step each day.
Give my days the sweetest fragrance, let them please my God above.
May I bear the Spirit’s fruit! Help me show Phileo love.
Love that manifests devotion, keeping friendships strong in health.
Love that honours those around me, placing them above myself.
May I lend a listening ear with words of wisdom, Lord I pray.
Help my efforts be supportive as we journey through each day.
May I live to bless Your people, serving them in all I do.
Thank You Lord for gifting me with friends whose hearts belong to You!"
Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love.
Honour one another above yourselves.”
Food For Thought
In the Bible the word, “Philia” or “Phileo” is found in several places, one being Romans 12:10 when the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to “be devoted to one another in brotherly Philia.” Here we have an example of Scripture referring to the kind of love you find in a friendship. Philia can also be strongly associated with Agape love and could be described as a manifestation of it.
The word Agape appears many times in the original text in the Bible and one example of this is John 15:13 when Jesus said,
“Greater love (Agape) has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Here, Jesus is describing the quality and depth of the love He has for His disciples, whom He goes on to call His friends. He was giving them and us a pattern for the way we should love each other. He paints a clear picture of the deep love we should have for one another. A love so great that we’re prepared to lay down our lives for our friends.
As I mentioned before, Phileo is an extension of Agape love and describes the affection one might have for a friend or the love between two friends. It carries the idea that there are two or more people who feel they are similar and have found a kindred-spirit of sorts! It would suggest a fondness for someone or people who you find you are compatible with. People who are complimentary to each other in nature and make a good match as friends.
It’s interesting to note that believers are never told to love their enemies with a Phileo love because that would suggest a person has to have the same interests as the enemy. When Jesus exhorts us in Matthew 5:44 to “love your enemies,” the Greek word for Love is Agape. The Bible encourages us to extend Agape love to those in opposition but not to be matched with them in our affections for ungodly things that lead us away from the Lord.
Questions For Personal Reflection
What godly friendships has Jesus put in my life and who can I give thanks for today? Am I seeking to be a godly friend and positive, spiritual influence in the lives of those around me? Do I have friends who don’t know Jesus yet and if so, am I praying for their salvation? Have I lovingly shared the Gospel with them? Is there someone in my life who seems lonely, to whom I can offer the loving hand of friendship?
