So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. [Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT)]
Fortunately, because God loves His sinful children, we are saved through our faith and God’s grace; that means He takes us soiled sinners just as we are. But, just because God accepts His immoral, angry, impatient, bad-tempered, anxious and selfish children doesn’t mean He wants us to stay that way. Those who’ve had children know we don’t want them to remain toddlers or even teens forever. When Jesus saved the woman caught in adultery, he told her, “Go and sin no more!” and, when He saves us, He tells us the very same thing! Unfortunately, sinning no more is far easier said than done.
We may be reborn when we accept Christ but, other than being forgiven, the new saved us is still a great deal like the old one. Accepting Jesus doesn’t instantly make us into loving, joyful, serene, patient, compassionate, virtuous, faithful, humble, and self-disciplined individuals. Writing to the Galatians, Paul reminded them the old sinful self was still there, relentlessly trying to assert itself. Satan doesn’t disappear when we’re saved and, just as he tempted Jesus, he’ll continue to tempt us. We mustn’t err by picturing the enemy as a cartoonish imp wearing a red suit and carrying a pitchfork; he is no cartoon. There’s a war going on for our souls and he whispers into our ears with words of envy, anger, spite, fear, jealousy, lust, dissension, despair, pride, irritation, worry and self-centeredness.
Paul gave the Galatians a long list of evils: everything from idolatry, sorcery, and drunken parties to things probably closer to home such as quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition and envy. Repeating his warning that anyone living that sort of life would not inherit the kingdom of God, Paul added these words of hope: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” [Galatians 5:22-23a] The good news is that God has not left us defenseless—which is where the Holy Spirit and His spiritual fruit enter in! When we become Christ followers, the Holy Spirit enters our lives and, along with a spiritual gift, He plants the Fruit of the Spirit in our hearts.
Planted by the Spirit in our hearts, the Fruit of the Spirit is a little like a Swiss Army knife with its numerous functions. Just as the multi-faceted pocketknife can provide us with two blades, corkscrew, screwdriver, bottle opener, scissors, wood saw, toothpick, tweezers, can opener, and key ring, the Fruit of the Spirit is an all-purpose tool providing us with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These characteristics describe Jesus and it is the presence of this fruit in our hearts that enables us to grow more like Him every day: to have His purpose, thoughts, words and actions be ours.
Devotions of the Heart 