DAILY ENCOUNTER

BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

Glory to God! Yesterday, we discussed being led by the Spirit. Today, we will see what the Spirit produces in the life of the one who is led by Him. From our opening scripture, we see that it is called the fruit, not the fruits of the Spirit. It is one fruit with nine characteristics, like one tree with nine expressions. You cannot choose the ones you like and leave out the rest; they grow together as the Spirit works in us. Notice also that it is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of our own effort. An apple tree does not strain to produce an apple; it simply grows as it draws nutrients from the soil. Earlier this month, we discussed abiding in the vine, and this is the product of that abiding. The more connected we are to Christ, the more the nature of Christ shows in us. There is a difference between gifts and fruit. Gifts are given to us for service, and they can be received instantly. Fruit, on the other hand, takes time to grow. You can have powerful gifts and still lack the fruit. Character is not an event; it is a process. That is why a new believer can be full of fire but still struggle with anger or impatience. Growth in fruit takes seasons of pruning, patience, and obedience.

Apostle Paul places the fruit of the Spirit in contrast with the works of the flesh, which he lists just before our verse: immorality, idolatry, hatred, strife, jealousy, anger, and others. A life without the Spirit's control will produce those things, but a life led by the Spirit produces love, joy, and peace. The fruit is how people truly know us. Jesus said, 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' It is not how loud we pray or how well we preach, but how we treat people, how we respond under pressure, and how we handle money, power, and offence. A person can sing like an angel on Sunday and still be unkind to the people at home. Fruit is what is left when the platform is removed. Fruit is tested in the pressure of life. It is easy to be patient when nothing is annoying you. God allows situations that test our patience because that is how patience grows. So, how do we grow in the fruit? Paul says, 'Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.' We cultivate it by spending time with the Lord, by obeying His Word, and by yielding to His correction. Today, ask yourself which of these nine characteristics needs the most work in your life, whether it is patience, self-control, kindness, or faith. Invite the Holy Spirit to grow it in you, and you will bear fruit that glorifies the Father. Hallelujah!!!

FURTHER STUDY

John 15:1-5; Galatians 5:19-25; Matthew 7:16-20

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is the weakest in my life, and what do I need to do to cultivate it?
2. Do people around me see the character of Christ in the way I respond under pressure?

PRAYERS

Father, thank You for Your word. Let the fruit of Your Spirit grow in my life, and let my character reflect the nature of Christ in Jesus's name. Amen