But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Scripture Reading— Matthew 13:3-9
Key Verses — Galatians 5:22-23
There is something special about biting into a piece of fresh fruit. While Christians should make a habit of offering thanks for every meal, a juicy green apple almost seems to deserve an extra word of appreciation.
Most food requires preparation from many people before it is ready to be consumed. Breads are mixed, kneaded, and baked. Meats are carefully selected, sliced, and preserved. Fruit, however, seems to go straight from the tree to the market. It does not require any preparation; it is perfect the way God made it.
Just as God cultivates apples and oranges, He works to produce a ripe crop of spiritual fruit within His people. In Galatians 5:22, Paul listed the nine specific fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As with food, the quality of these things can surpass any personal characteristics that you may develop on your own.
If God is the planter and the Spirit is the seed, what is missing? The soil! Fruit—even spiritual fruit—cannot grow without something in which to sink its roots. For Christians, that soil is often adversity.
The believer’s response to pain provides a fertile field from which God can raise a cornucopia of fresh fruit. Trust Him with your adversity. There will be a full harvest of victory on the horizon!
Help me, Lord, to remember that when life is most difficult, Your truth is rooting itself deeper in my life in order to produce richer fruit.
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Your Turn
Do you know someone who has lived through terrible tragedies, but who walked through them clinging to the Lord and came through as a sweeter, richer, more loving person? Someone full of the fruits of the Spirit? Trials and suffering are the tools God the Father uses to mold and shape us into His image. May we press on toward the goal choosing Christ-likeness and spiritual maturity even during the most difficult times! How have you experienced difficulty and hardship and how has the Lord used those circumstances to stretch you spiritually? Please leave a comment on our blog! We would love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily
