The fruit of the Spirit becomes visible in the character God is forming within us. It reaches our reactions, desires, and relationships, especially when we are still trying to control life on our own.
Devotional
Galatians 5:22-25 presents the fruit of the Spirit and shows that God’s presence reaches the way we live. Love, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to appear in specific choices.
This fruit often becomes visible when something goes against us. A word hurts us, someone disappoints us, a worry grows, and we feel the urge to react as we always have. In that moment, the Spirit helps us recognize what is happening within us and respond in a way that agrees with Christ.
Paul calls it fruit because character is not changed by effort or appearance alone. God is working within those who remain united to Jesus. In Galatians 5:24, he reminds us that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. That surrender can be painful because it requires us to stop feeding what God is dealing with.
Perhaps there is an area where you already recognize the need for change, yet you continue to protect your impulses. Bring it honestly before the Lord. Fruit grows as we stop defending what needs to be transformed.
Prayer
Lord, shape my character through Your Spirit. Help me recognize what must die within me and respond to others with the life of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible reference
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
