Devotional: Fruit Of The Spirit
Christian Women's Devotion on Producing the Fruit of God's Character
There is a contrast here between the 'Fruit of
the Flesh' and the 'Fruit of the Spirit'.
There is a battle between the 'Spirit' and the
'Flesh' (V:17). Do we live to gratify the desires
of the flesh, or do we live a life controlled by
the Holy Spirit? We must choose one—we can't
live to please both. If we are living to the flesh and think there is
nothing wrong with it, we really haven't given
the Holy Spirit full reign in our lives. We need
to realize that the sinful desires of the flesh
are the opposite of what God wants in our lives.
Let us put the Holy Spirit back on the throne of
our lives, and, "Walk and live [habitually] in the
[Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and
guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly
not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh
(of human nature without God) (V:16 AMPC)." The out-working of a life controlled by the Holy
Spirit is: "Love, Joy (gladness), Peace, Patience
(an even temper, forbearance), Kindness, Goodness
(benevolence), Faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness,
humility), Self-control (self-restraint, continence)."
As Spirit-filled Christians, living and walking by
the Spirit (V:25), we should desire to be producing
this fruit—the character traits of Jesus—in our
lives. As we refuse to give in to our fleshly desires
and allow the Holy Spirit full reign, our lives will
begin to produce the beautiful fruit of the Holy
Spirit. May we each day say, 'No' to our flesh, and
'Yes' to the Spirit. © By M.S.Lowndes
For the Fruit (the effect, the product) of the
light or the Spirit [consists] in every form
of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and
trueness of life. And try to learn [in your
experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let
your lives be constant proofs of what is most
acceptable to Him]. Take no part in and have
no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and
enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your
lives be so in contrast as to] expose and
reprove and convict them. - Ephesians 5:9-11 (AMPC)
Holy Spirit, I give you control
Of my life today,
May your fruit be in abundance
As I let you have your way.
© M.S.Lowndes
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