Abiding Fruit

Starting a new Bible study this morning & of course nothing went as planned: oldest is sick throwing up, youngest was taken to doctor to check on a broken foot (it is not broken), couldn't do playgroup roll out of Bible study b/c of sick babies, etc...

Nevertheless, here I go:

Week one, Day one.

Galatians 5: 16-26 ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[a] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ 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.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Today's journal prompt: Who is writing? Why? Jot down your initial thoughts & questions.

Phew. I think that I fit so many of the descriptions of the acts of the flesh!! Ugh!! The fruits of the spirit are not really evident in my life unless I try to will them up. I need to walk and be led by the Spirit.

I think it is interesting how the lines after the fruits of the spirit warn against becoming conceited. How very easy it is to become conceited, even by something great God has blessed us with.

It also speaks against envying another's fruits. I do this WAY too much. I see something awesome in someone else's life and WANT IT. But instead of that motivating me toward God and following and walking by the Spirit, it just leads me to selfish pursuits.

As for the author, it was written by Paul to the church at Galatia to possibly correct them from misunderstandings in the Christian faith.

Father, help me this week to understand what you mean by the fruits of the spirit, to help me learn to walk by your spirit so these fruits may be evident in my life.