40 Days Pondering the Fruit of the Spirit

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days PONDERING the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Day 1 | OVERVIEW OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:22-23
But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
 (NIV)

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior – aka become “born again” or become a “Christian,” – several things happen to us which are not usually visible.

Jesus said to Nicodemus, who wanted to be born again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

Thus, to start, one who is “born-again” is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. In fact… without the work of the Holy Spirit, we wouldn’t become “born again.” Since the Holy Spirit is living inside of us, the “Fruit of the Spirit” is inside of us too.

This means that all who have TRULY been born again should be regularly displaying the “Fruit of the Spirit” in their lives. Now, although this displaying of Fruit will mature and grow over the years, it should be seen, at least somewhat, as the Child of God allows the Holy Spirit to transform their life into Christ-likeness.

The Fruit of the Spirit in one’s life becomes more clearly seen as we follow Jesus and strive to do the things He did. Regularly reading God’s Word, praying to and worshiping God, and being around other believers can help one GROW in the faith and his/her walk with the Lord. As that is done, the Fruit becomes more evident.

Here in Galatians, we have the best listing of this Fruit… and for the next 40 days, we’re going to take a closer look at these nine “Fruit of the Spirit.”

Prayer: Lord, I am one of your children, and I do look forward to better displaying the Fruit of the Spirit which are inside of me. Help me spend MORE time with You, Your Word, Your Church, and in prayer to the Father. Help me GROW in my relationship with You and learn to follow You more closely. Amen.