The Fruit of the Spirit

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

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Fruit thrives within the right environment with the proper living conditions. The same holds true concerning God's virtues in the life of a Christian. It is God's indwelling Spirit that provides the fertile environment necessary for every believer to cultivate these virtues. They include love, joy, peace, and faith. Only as Christians submit to the leading of the Holy Ghost can we fully access these virtues. Though mentioned last in the list from Galatians, temperance is another of the important virtues making up the fruit of the Spirit. Though frequently neglected, temperance is no less important than the other virtues naturally growing in the life of a fertile believer. A disregard for the proper mix in the Christian life causes imbalance. Believers who fail to cultivate stability and peace by not yielding control to God's indwelling Spirit never realize their God-given potential.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): A tree needs a proper amount of sunshine, rain, and good soil to produce fruit. The fruit of the Spirit mentioned above comes as a child of God reads his Bible, prays, and lives obediently according to what God says.

• (For everyone): Does your life reflect balance? Would the Lord describe your life as stable, consistent, and balanced? Or are you tossed to and fro by the troubles and cares of this world?

• Do you recognize the fruit of the Spirit naturally growing in your life? If not, what is hindering your spiritual growth? Are you reading your Bible? Are you spending time in prayer with the Lord?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask the Lord to help you yield more completely to Him.

• Ask God to help His fruit grow and mature in your life.

SONG: When Gentle Spring Renews the Earth

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Temperance