Galatians [5:22] “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
We did not talk about the list of the “deeds of the flesh” which are found in Galatians [5:19]-21. “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
These are in contrast to the Fruit of the Spirit which has been our topic found in Galatians [5:22]-23. Verse 19 says the deeds of the flesh are evident or obvious. The meaning is that they will manifest themselves or show up in the life of a person who is not being led by God’s Spirit. It further says in verse 21 that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
So looking at the list of deeds of the flesh, that could feel like an ominous statement. Who among us has not ever been jealous or had an outburst of anger? The key to understanding this is the word “practice”. To practice means to me that your life is characterized by this thing. You habitually do it. Your daily life being controlled by jealousy or outbursts of anger. Not one of us is perfect and has a fruit-filled life being always led by the Spirit and always making the right choices. But that is the goal. If we don’t have a goal, we really don’t know what direction to head for.
I have thought for a while about balance in all this. Balance is very important. Let’s say for example that a person is extremely patient. That part comes easy. But if they are not equally filled with love then the result may be that they are judgmental. Or maybe a person has a lot of self-control, but not much patience. They may become pious. Looking down at others who are struggling with self-control. I’ve heard people say… “I’m good at loving others, but bad at self-control.”
We can’t pick and choose. We are supposed to be working on all these areas. We can’t excuse our bad behavior in one area because we are doing pretty good in others. If you have ever tasted a fruit that is not ripe, you know that it is bitter or sour. In the same way our fruit must be mature so that our lives are not bitter or sour and that the Lord that we follow seems like a sweet thing to those people in the world who are looking. God help us all to be the very best version of ourselves as Christians!
As we head into the Thanksgiving Holiday it is a privilege to bring to you this opportunity for self-reflection. This series of devotions are written by Harriet Bowman and allow for us to consider the work of God’s Spirit in our lives.