The Fruit Of The Spirit
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
By contract, 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. Let us not become conceited,
competing against one another, envying one another.
If you do not take care of your lawn
and don’t water it, have you ever noticed how quickly the weeds come up?
Overnight is the answer. Weeds do not need tending,
but a garden of flowers needs constant attention. Flowers thrive under the care
of one who is not afraid to get dirt under the fingernails.
The Christian life is the same way. It
takes work. It requires the commitment of one’s whole being to Jesus – body,
mind, emotions, and soul in order to have a life that is wholesome, attractive,
uplifting to others, and fulfilling to oneself. Even then, weeks of selfishness
and sinful attitudes can quickly spring up and overrun the fruit of the Spirit.
There is a process for getting rid of weeds. Identify the sins of the flesh,
call them sin and confess them, stand firm in your position in Christ.
If you yield
to God, you won’t give in to sin.