Day 3: The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:16-26 NKJV
Galatians 5:16-26 NKJV
Devotional: The sermon drew a sharp contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. The works of the flesh are not simply bad habits. They are the natural output of a life disconnected from God. The fruit of the Spirit is not a checklist of behaviors to perform. It is the natural output of a life deeply connected to Jesus. You cannot manufacture genuine patience, kindness, or self-control through willpower alone. These qualities grow from the inside out when the Spirit of God is given room to work. The question is not whether you are trying hard enough. The question is whether you are staying close enough to the vine.
Reflection Question: Looking at the list in Galatians 5, which work of the flesh appears most frequently in your life, and which fruit of the Spirit feels most underdeveloped?
Practical Application: Choose one fruit of the Spirit to focus on this week. Each morning, ask the Holy Spirit specifically to develop that quality in you, and each evening, reflect on where you saw it or missed it.
Reflection Question: Looking at the list in Galatians 5, which work of the flesh appears most frequently in your life, and which fruit of the Spirit feels most underdeveloped?
Practical Application: Choose one fruit of the Spirit to focus on this week. Each morning, ask the Holy Spirit specifically to develop that quality in you, and each evening, reflect on where you saw it or missed it.
Posted in Under the Influence