Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
So, I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
– Galatians 5:16-25
Devotion
In this passage, Paul contrasts what it is to live by the Spirit with what it means to live by the desires of the flesh. First, he lists some examples of the works of the flesh. These are prevalent when someone is operating in the realm of death (separated from God). Then Paul lists the attributes of someone who is living according to the Spirit. We call this list The Fruit of the Spirit. Notice the contrast: WORKS of the flesh and FRUIT of the Spirit. The works of the flesh are what you do. But now the Christian life is to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the principle of fruit-bearing. The fruit (attributes of Jesus) is produced by yielding to the Holy Spirit who indwells us. The fruit of the Spirit is love. Notice it is singular – is, not are. This indicates that love is the fruit, and from it stems all other fruits. Love is primary! Love is the prevailing attribute of God. Love is the prevailing attribute of Jesus. When we are living by the Spirit, we will be living in accordance with the two great commandments: love God and love others! When we are loving God and loving others, the supernatural result will be the development of the other attributes on the list.
The Big Question
Are you living your life by the desires of the flesh? Are you living by the Spirit of God? Is the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 evident in your life? Which one of these attributes is prominent in your life? Which attribute is less evident and requires some more attention on your part?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.