Is your life filled with works of the flesh or fruit of the Spirit?
When we walk by the Spirit, He produces good fruit in us — good for us and for others!
But when we gratify the flesh, we produce foul, dead fruit — which is good for nothing!
Consider various aspects of your life: Where do you see flesh and where do you see Spirit?
- Some parts may be overflowing with Spirit, but some may be filled with flesh…
- But how can you tell? And what should you do with them?
To illustrate the differences between the flesh and the Spirit, Paul compares the “works of the flesh” to the “fruits of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:19-23:
- Works of Flesh: Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and the like
- Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Paul’s short list can help us see who/what is being produced in various parts of our lives.
Here are a few a examples:
- Are you JEALOUS of someone else’s recent success? That is your flesh
- Are you JOYFUL during difficult days? That is the Spirit
- Do you find yourself getting ANGRY at people on a regular basis? Your flesh
- Are you GENTLE with those who are harsh with you? Fruit of the Spirit
- Does your speech cause DIVISIONS between people? Flesh
- Do you bring PEACE into all your circumstances? Spirit
As you consider your own life, where do you find works of the flesh? Where do you find Fruit of the Spirit?
- At work? Among friends? Towards your family? Within your own mind?
Now that you’ve noted a few, you might wonder what you should do with them?
Works of the flesh – CRUCIFY THEM, PUT THEM OFF
- Because we live in a fallen world, the flesh is constantly trying to pull us back into the fallen state — back into the ways we ONCE walked, but NO MORE!
- As those who belong to Christ, we are to CRUCIFY the flesh — fleshly passions — and fleshly desires! (Gal 5:24)
Fruit of the Spirit – LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, BE LED BY THE SPIRIT (Gal 5:25)
- Enjoy the fruits of God that He is producing in you and share them with others!
- Through love, serve others with His good fruit!
May God richly bless you in His Son,
Dr. Aaron George Glover