DO YOU BEAR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT?
The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian church to teach them the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. The word “walking” was a Hebrew idiom for “living.” It is that which both motivates and marks one’s life. Paul taught that those who live by the flesh, which is the old nature, would display sinful works, but those who live by the Spirit would bear the “fruit of the Spirit.”
Notice that the word “fruit” is singular. One might say that it is one fruit with nine seeds, each a part of a triad of triads, with each trait emerging from the previous one. These are not works, but fruit. Those who walk in the flesh produce sinful works. Those who walk in the Spirit bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Bearing this spiritual fruit is evidence of being connected to the Vine, which is Christ Jesus. For a branch cannot produce fruit without abiding in the vine. Abiding in Christ the Vine, we increasingly bear these character traits, the chief of which is love. Indeed, all the other traits flow out of love.
How do you plan to walk today?
PRAYER: Dear Father, feel us with a fresh anointing of your Spirit today that we might live by Him, producing the fruit of the Spirit. Examine us and reveal to us those places where we are walking in the flesh that we might repent and confess, so that You might forgive and cleanse us. Help us to abide in Christ today. In Jesus’ name, amen.