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But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. Galatians5:22-23 ISV
Years ago I
received a capiz shell wind chime as a gift. Each brightly colored shell was
shaped like a fruit. According to my friend, these fruits represented the fruit
of the Holy Spirit. I memorized the verse and hung the wind chimes in front of
the kitchen window. With each delicate tinkling, I remembered the list of
virtues.
How is it possible, I thought, for all of these fruits to become evident in
my life?
Paul wrote to the churches
in Galatia ,
encouraging them to live by faith in Jesus Christ rather than giving in to
their own fleshly desires. What results when people give in to the desires of a
sinful nature?
Now
the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity,
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of anger, quarrels,
conflicts, factions, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like
that. I am telling you now, as I have told you in the past, that people who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God
(Galatians 5:19-21 ISV). When we live according to our sinful natures, we hurt ourselves
and others and, in effect, reject the power available to us through the Holy
Spirit.
Paul goes on to
say, But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such
things. Now those who belong to the Messiah Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s also be guided
by the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-25 ISV).
A life in harmony with the Holy Spirit,
and consequently in accordance to God’s Word, will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
The winner will be announced April 7th.
Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.
May you produce a beautiful bounty of spiritual fruit in your life. Today's meditation is a excerpt from my devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.
Readers who share this blog post on social media sites and also tell me about it in a comment below will be included in a drawing for a free paperback copy of this devotional. It's my pleasure to get this devotional into the hands of readers and now is a perfect time as we look forward to Easter. If you already have your copy, think gift.
Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.
I will share this on FB. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love this line - "A life in harmony with the Holy Spirit, and consequently in accordance to God’s Word, will produce the fruit of the Spirit." Thanks Rose! Eileen
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pick-me-up this morning, Rose! I haven't visited in a few weeks. It was refreshing to read this morning. Love Ya!
ReplyDeleteWow it is rather amazing that just last night that very topic was being discussed...
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thought and visual guide, Rose. Congratulations on your accomplishments! So proud of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind thing to say, Lisa. Thank you. I appreciate you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture. Makes me want to get one. It would be fun to be reminded so sweetly.
ReplyDelete