Grown with Him

Daily Devotional in Grow with Him

"The Fruit of the Spirit: A Life Transformed"

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22-26 (KJV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."

Beloved in Christ,

The Christian life is not merely about following a set of rules or adhering to religious rituals. It is about a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Paul lists nine attributes that should characterize every believer: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These are not virtues we can produce on our own; they are the result of the Holy Spirit's work within us.

Notice that Paul speaks of "fruit," not "fruits." This implies that these attributes are interconnected, stemming from the same source—the Holy Spirit. You cannot pick and choose which aspects of the fruit you'd like to exhibit; they are a collective manifestation of a life surrendered to God.

Paul also reminds us that "they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." This crucifixion is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of sanctification. As we yield to the Spirit, we find ourselves less inclined to fulfill the desires of the flesh and more inclined to walk in the Spirit.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit," Paul exhorts. Living in the Spirit is our position in Christ; walking in the Spirit should be our daily practice. This walk is not about seeking "vain glory" or provoking and envying one another. It is about humbly allowing the Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ.

So, as you go about your day, examine your life. Are you exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Are you walking in a manner worthy of your calling? Remember, the Christian life is not about doing but being—being transformed by the grace of God.

In the grace of our Lord,

The Grow with Him Team