“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:25

What are the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians?

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Longsuffering (Patience)
• Gentleness
• Goodness
• Faith (Faithfulness)
• Meekness (Kindness)
• Temperance (Self-Control)

What is the Original Greek word for “Fruit”?

I recently was reading a Bible plan on the Youversion app about the fruits of the spirit. Something it said stuck with me. It says, “The original Greek work for “Fruit” is karpos, and one definition means “a result of something.” When the Fruit of the Spirit is displayed in our lives, it is a sign, or a result, that we are being led by the Spirit of God. Just like the branches of a grapevine have to be connected to the vine in order to bear grapes, the Fruit of the Spirit is evidence of being connected to Christ.“

It is so important that we as followers of Christ exhibit the fruits of the spirit. Those who are outside of God are always looking to see if you are exhibiting what you claim to follow. None of us are perfect, but we are to strive to be Christ-like every day. We are called to be better than the world we live in. To do this, we need to take up our cross daily, crucify our flesh, put on the armor of God, and be led by the Spirit instead of the flesh. 

What Does the Bible say about Walking in the Spirit?

In Galatians 5:16-17 it says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  

When we are walking in the Spirit, we do not fulfill what our flesh lusts or longs for. But instead, we fulfill what God wants and desires. It says the flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another. You cannot be led by both. So, knowing that, I ask that you ask yourself today, which one is leading you in your life? Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in the way you live? Or are you living to satisfy and fulfill your flesh?

Magnify and Glorify Jesus Christ

Let everything you do magnify and glorify Jesus Christ. Billy Graham once said it beautifully saying, “The Holy Spirit is pleased when you glorify Christ.” The way you act, or react, shows whether your serve yourself (your flesh), or the Spirit. Do you respond with love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, etc.? Or, do you respond with anger, impatience, rashness, and without self-control?

Galatians 5:23 ends with saying “..against such things there are no law.” One way to look at this is that there’s no limit to how much of the fruits of the Spirit you can show. You can exhibit love, patience, kindness, meekness, faithfulness, joy, peace, self-control, all you want without limit. That is the goal and what we hope to exhibit. But you cannot do these things of yourself. These things only come from the Holy Spirit working within you. These are considered attributes of Christ and to be produced from the Holy Spirit living through you.

What are the Signs That you are Living for your Flesh? 

If we are being led by our flesh these are not things that come natural to us. We don’t naturally want to show kindness to the person hurting us. That is why we need to be led by the Spirit every day. We must stay in the Word, nourishing our soul, and spending time with Jesus in Prayer. Every day we nourish our bodies with food and water, but yet at times neglect our spiritual bodies. When we neglect our spiritual bodies, it will be evident in our lives. You will notice your flesh starting to come through more and more.

Feed and nourish your spiritual self constantly seeking after God’s own heart and living a life pleasing to Him. Galatians 5 also lists the things that are not pleasing to Him that are evident of a person living for their flesh. It says,

 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Which is Leading You?

The Bible makes it very clear those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. When you are living to serve your flesh, these are the things that come from your life that are all against God and what He desires for your life. Be filled with the Spirit by emptying your own desires. The flesh and the Holy Spirit like we discussed are contrary to one another. They cannot co-exist. One is leading, which one is leading you?

Reflection:

 Where the Holy spirit is there is freedom and new life. What areas in your life are you struggling to turn over to God that is holding you back? What small step can you take today in giving it over to God and surrendering fully in walking in the Holy Spirit? Are you resisting the Holy Spirit and hardening your heart?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for blessing us with the Holy Spirit. May the Holy spirit work through me and let everything I do be to magnify and glorify your Holy name. I pray that I continue to turn from my sins and follow the spirit. You are the only thing that can change me; change my heart Lord and my desires. I pray to only desire and serve you. Help me to follow the Spirit and not my flesh. Give me strength during times of weakness and temptation as I know I can only accomplish Your Will with Your strength. 

Lord, may I pick up my cross daily and crucify my flesh and always choose to follow the Spirit. I pray to not fulfill the desires of my flesh, but to live by the Spirit and allow the Spirit to work within me. May I never fail to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit so that others will know you because they know me, and they will see You working through me.

Amen!