I believe, with all my heart, that a natural outgrowth of a deepening relationship with Jesus should be that we look more like Him. In recent days, the Holy Spirit has had my mind on the fruit of the Spirit. He has caused me to step back and consider how my life should look as these fruit mature. Today I want to take a few paragraphs and share with you the reminders that He has given me concerning a life that is brimming with fresh fruit of the Spirit.
I wish I could say that my life currently evidences all the following things, but alas, it does not. There are definitely a few of these fruit that are still pretty green in my life. Join me as we think about fresh, mature fruit.
If my life evidences LOVE, I will:
- Not think more highly of myself than I ought
- Love others, not because of what they do or who they are, but because they are someone who is loved by Christ
- Be generous
If my life evidences JOY, I will
- Live above my circumstances, not under them
- Not carry my feelings around on my shoulders
- Make clear that Jesus, rather than earthly riches, is the source of my joy
If my life evidences PEACE, I will
- Trust God’s heart, no matter what He allows into my life
- Not despair at the condition of our world OR my aging body
- Rejoice at the successes of others
If my life evidences PATIENCE, I will
- Not grow irritable when a loved one repeats something for the forty-seventh time
- Wait on God’s timing, rather than try to make things happen on my own
- Allow God to work in the lives of others without my interference
If my life evidences KINDNESS, I will
- Have compassion for those who are struggling, either because of their own choices or in spite of them
- Not always think about what is best for me
- Treat others gently, yet sometimes with tough love
If my life evidence GOODNESS, I will
- Strive to have a character that is above reproach
- Always tell the truth—in love
- Refrain from gossip and backbiting
If my life evidences FAITHFULNESS, I will
- Be faithful to my husband and my marriage
- Be loyal to my Lord and to my friends
- Keep my word and be trustworthy
If my life evidences GENTLENESS, I will
- Be humble and gracious, especially when others are not humble or gracious to me
- Remember that it is NOT always all about me
- Submit to God’s will in all situations
If my life evidences SELF-CONTROL, I will
- Put a muzzle on my tongue more often than I do
- Not waste time on the computer or television
- Take care of my body; the temple of God on this earth
Perhaps some of these spoke to you with either confirmation or conviction. Most assuredly, I need to work on many of them. I have chosen to limit each category to three evidences because I would like to hear from you. What do you have to add to these lists of evidences of the fruit of the Spirit?
