Devotion's by Deborah

Devotion 2-29-24, Galatians 5:22-23a- "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . ." Just before these verses, Galatians lists the "deeds of the flesh." None of them are slightly good. We all recognize, criticize, or make excuses for these "deeds of the flesh." But do we equally look for, and actually long for, the "fruit of the spirit?" These "fruit" are the result of the work of the Holy Spirit. You display them, but you do not produce them. If we are quite honest, we know we do not have these qualities on our own. We may try, but all it takes is a little disturbance to prove we do not naturally possess the "fruit of the spirit." As we grow in our walk as children of God, we begin to find that God has been doing creative work in us. We begin to see some of the fruit. The goal is all of the fruit, all the time. We all know that is a tall order; but, if we actually have faith and trust God, it is completely possible. The fruit grows, unseen, until needed. The Spirit is busy cultivating a new creation in us, one of which we are unaware until there is a crisis. Only then does the old self or the new self show. Which one do you demonstrate, the deeds of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit? If it is more deeds of the flesh, you know what you must do. Go to God, confess your weaknesses, and pray for more creative work by the Spirit. He will do it. Cooperate with God and the fruit grows faster. Resist God and you demonstrate that you are still in a baby state as a child of God. Or, perhaps you are not a child of God at all. The fruit of the Spirit allows God to function through you, to others. Strive to be that person whom God can use. Demonstrate His creative power in you. Check your heart; check your relationship; Bear fruit!