Tag Archives: Fruits of the Spirit

Fruit of the Spirit

Living in the Spirit

June 24, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. –Galatians 5:16-25

What struck me as I read through the above scripture was that at times, I spend more time in the works of the flesh mode than in the fruit of the Spirit. Probably, like most of you who read this, I do not dwell on the first six which are the most common sins of the flesh nor on envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like that. I am stuck in the middle trying to interact with people with whom I totally disagree and who totally disagree with me. Dissensions and factions exist in my life. I invest a lot in wrestling with God to straighten out my attitude so I can approach people without anger or quarrels. Such negative responses rarely help.

The King James Version of the Bible translates the word Greek word makrothumia as longsuffering.  NRSV quoted above uses the word patience. While the word patience is much nicer to hear, I think longsuffering describes my attitude better. However, the scripture describes the gift of the Spirit, as all those attributes rolled into one big gift. So, if I have love, I must also have the capacity for patience—longsuffering. We must welcome all the gifts as they become necessary in our lives. A train is not a train with just one car. It must be linked together to fulfill its purpose. Any empty cars between the engine and the caboose, are present and prepared for use when needed as are all the components of the gift of the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, help me improve my skills using all of your gifts. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Living through the Fruits of the Spirit

Living in the Spirit
July 22, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Genesis 29:15-28 

Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.’ So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?’ Laban said, ‘This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me for another seven years.’ Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. — Genesis 29:21-28 

Jacob tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright. Some would say he got back what he gave when Laban tricked him into marrying the older daughter, Leah. We don’t know whether Laban was being sly or whether he was doing what was the norm in his culture and Jacob did not understand that. It is also remarkable that there is no mention whatsoever of God in this story. God was very present in the marriages of Abraham and Isaac. What do you suppose God would have said to Jacob about this situation?

One of the greatest challenges of being a Christian is discerning God’s will in our lives in everyday events and interactions. I think that is particularly perplexing when others judge all Christians by what I do or say or how I conduct my business. It is not fair but it does happen.

We shape the world by how we live in it. Tiny acts of kindness lead to other acts of kindness. A sharp tongue can severe a relationship. Building habits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) can go a long way in moving toward the fruition of the Kingdom of God. These are the fruits of the spirit and are enabled when we walk regularly with God.

Prayer: God, make me whole, fill me with your spirit, and let the shining of my light illuminate you to others. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.