Fruit Of The Spirit

Read: Galations 5:16-26

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).

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

Holy Spirit I give you control
Of my life today
May your fruit be in abundance
As I let you have your way.

© By M.S.Lowndes.