We live by the flesh, or we live by the Spirit. We walk by the flesh, or we walk by the Spirit. Either way, fruit will be produced in our life.
- repetitive, loveless, cheap sex
- a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage
- frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness
- trinket gods
- magic-show religion
- paranoid loneliness
- cutthroat competition
- all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants
- a brutal temper
- an impotence to love or be loved
- divided homes and divided lives
- small-minded and lopsided pursuits
- the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival
- uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions
- ugly parodies of community
- affection for others
- exuberance about life
- serenity
- willingness to stick with things
- sense of compassion in the heart
- a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people
- involved in loyal commitments
- not needing to force our way in life
- able to marshal and direct our energies wisely
So, what fruit are you producing? Which list do you find yourself on the most? I know the tendency is to try and produce the fruit of the Spirit on our own, but we must remember that a branch can not produce fruit by its own power. It only produces fruit because of its connection to a vine. Jesus said, ”I am the true vine…Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:1,4). The word abide means to remain as one, not to become another or different, to wait for, to last or endure, not to depart, and to be held and kept continually.
We will all bear fruit according to the vine we are connected to, so if you want to be a producer of the fruit of the Spirit, there is only one action step to take – Abide in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit will be the result.
Read for further study Galatians 5:16-26 and John 15:1-11.
What are some of the things you do to abide in Christ?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I love reading & pondering the lists in Galatians.
I once read a list that really got stuck in my head. Sexual immorality broken down is impurity & sensuality. Idolatary: materialism, covetousness, greed. Witchcraft: New Age activity, sorcery, occult practices. Hatred: Enmity, antagonism, racism, hostility. Strife: conflict, factions, discord, agrumentativeness. Jealousy: envy, resentment, bittnerness. Anger: Impatience, irritability,frustration, fits of rage. Selfish ambition: Hunger for fame, status or power, superior attitude. Drunkenness: wild parties, chemical abuse.
I think sometimes I try to rationalize. For me abiding starts with an honest assessment of myself. Asking to the spirit to open my eyes. And then surrendering those things to Him. It is opening my heart & sometimes my tight fisted grip so that He can do his work. It is setting my focus on Him & what His word says. Abiding to me is as frequent & constant as breathing. Confessing when my flesh is in control & surrendering so that the spirit can be in control. It is handing the reigns back over.
John 15:5 is my “guiding light” verse…and to abide in Christ, is, IMHO a lifelong AND daily pursuit. I try in His strength to main all those disciplines that I’ve been taught…and that helps to keep that “abiding” going…but really it all comes down to a few actions and all have to do with communicating. First, with God in prayer, next, a daily meal in Scripture and last fellowship with others whether in service or friendship. It is as easy as that and yet too often I lose sight of the Light!
I like to pray and read the Word everyday, it’s simple but it’s what keeps me going because it’s like food and air to my spirit.