by Robert Fudge

Galatians 5:16-26 (NASB)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

21 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.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

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When we read about the “fruit of” a thing, it is the result of that thing. The “fruit" of his labor is the result of his labor. Too many want to learn to practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is not up to us to learn how to practice these things. They come in our lives as the result of the Spirit of God in us. When we become a child of God we are to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Thus Paul could say, “it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

Too often we want to do it ourselves. When we become a child of God, He gives us His Spirit to transform us by the renewal of our minds (Acts 2:38). We must learn to open our hearts and our lives to allow God to come into us and work in us through His Holy Spirit. God is all powerful and is in control. However, He allows us to control Him and His Spirit in our lives. Thus we can reject Him, His power, His Spirit and grieve Him (or even put out the Spirit’s fire). Or we can allow Him access into our hearts to make us what He wants us to be. Jesus said that God will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13). I pray this morning that each of us will open our hearts to God and allow Him to fill us with His Spirit and that we will see His fruit in our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control