A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (May 8, 2015)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
There are many places in the Bible which refer to believers as trees, which are to produce fruit. The question is what type of fruit are we producing? If you are a born again believer then the Holy Spirit lives within you and you should be producing the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-26 says it like this, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with 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”.
The Message Bible reads as follows concerning the fruit of the Spirit scriptures in Galatians:”But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good – crucified. Since that is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. This means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” (Galatians 5:22-26, The Message)
Now, none of us have arrived yet! That is why we need the Holy Spirit as our teacher and guide. We are all in school so let’s just make sure we are listening to the right teacher and that we are doing our homework.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)
