Fruits of a Different Sort
Picture Greg and I and fifty little kids singing at the top of our lungs: “The fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut. The fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut. The fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Yes…I think we were acting like coconuts too in this children’s church!But, it worked! To this day, I can still remember the fruit of the Spirit.
Today, as I read the passage of Galatians 5:15-26 I was reminded by Paul of fruit of a different sort: the fruits of the flesh. As I read the list, I careful checked out my heart, mind and actions looking for evidence of it’s presence:
* sexual immorality
* impurity
* lustful pleasures
* idolatry
* sorcery
* dissension
* division
* envy
* drunkeness
* wild parties
* and other sins like these. (covers a bunch of stuff!)
Obviously, some of these sins are BOLDER than others, but the source of them all is the same: following the leading of our flesh rather than His Spirit.
Recently, I had a great talk with my friend Amy about women of character. Amy has a godly woman who is now gray haired and full of wisdom. Amy has so much respect for this woman, so she asked her “How do you end up one day being an older godly woman so full of the Lord as you are now?” Her answer: Be that woman today!
Be that woman today.
Lord, I want to be that kind of woman. I struggle with some of the stuff on that list. I sometimes cause division in my family. I sometimes see you bless others and struggle. I sometimes have outbursts of anger toward my kids. Today, not tomorrow or when I am 80, but for the next 24 hours, strengthen me to walk in the power of Your Holy Spirit, putting me further down that path of becoming a godly woman! I’ll look only to today. Only through you, Lord. Amen
Thanks, Lynn, for sharing the words of my friend Ruth in your post today. She's an incredible woman who has set a high standard for me!
Amy
I, too, remember and love those words! Thanks for the reminder to walk in the Spirit today. The flesh is feeling strong – so i've got praise music on. Nothing like fighting the enemy with praise to God!
It's crazy stumbling over your blog and reading this verse, when the Lord led me to randomly open the Word to Galations 5:20 in the Message Bible. "Be that woman today" is truly motivational. Thanks for sharing!