We all have desires that we can’t ignore. Galatians 5:19-21 states that our sinful nature results in sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, division, envy, drunkenness and others such as these.

 

Some are more obvious, others less obvious. Either way, we must deal with them decisively and allow the Holy Spirit to lead in our lives. There is no such thing as a secret sin. 

 

How to Let the Spirit Lead 

In order to follow Christ and live by the Holy Spirit, we need to turn from our sins and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This does not mean that we will never be tempted again; however, we must daily commit ourselves to the Spirit’s guidance. In doing so, the Spirit will lead us away from our flesh’s desires. To die daily to yourself will result in you being buried like seeds in the ground, so that the Spirit can live and work and bear fruit in you. 

 

If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our life to his and let the Spirit guide our lives. In John 15:4-5, Jesus says, “remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” 

 

Live in Freedom

The Fruit of the Spirit is found in the book of the Bible Galatians, written by Paul to the churches in southern Galatia approximately A.D. 49. The purpose of the book was to refute the Judaizers, those who taught that Gentile believers must obey the Jewish law in order to be saved, and to call Christians to faith and freedom in Christ.

 

This is still applicable to us today! For you have been called to live in freedom. We are called to not use our freedom to satisfy our sinful nature. Rather, we use our freedom to serve one another in love. As the body of Christ, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

 

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” 

Galatians 5:22-25

If the Spirit is in you, you will see the fruit of the Spirit, which is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in you. As we submit to his leading, the Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control - we can’t obtain them without his work in us. 

Focus on All You Can Do

We must 

• know him 
• love him 
• remember him 
• imitate him

 

When we do this, we fulfill the intended purpose of the law: to love God and others. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If we do this, we will keep all the commandments. When we focus on all we can do to show our love for God and others, then there is less need to worry about everything that we should not do.

 

Living the Christian life is a journey with many hills, valleys and unforeseen bends in the road. We have a new self; however, that doesn’t mean we automatically only have good thoughts, attitudes and actions. 

 

Your new self becomes stronger, more confident in time as you trust God to continue to mold you.

 

Onward Christian Soldier 

The will of the Holy Spirit is in constant opposition to our sinful nature. The two are on opposite sides of the spiritual battle. As a Christian, do you cry out, “why is this happening to me?” Remember, you are a soldier in God’s army. As a soldier, you are prepared for battle! So put on the full armor of God and when bullets fly, don’t be surprised! You have been equipped and trained for the fight. God won’t put you through anything that you cannot bear.   

 

With God, you can live your best life. He has wisdom, guidance and encouragement for you to achieve everything you were made to be! And it’s no mystery. It is found in His word. 

 

People of the world living for themselves, their career, the next hit, will always be wanderers searching for peace and joy. And they will never find it on their own. True peace and joy are only found in Christ. 

 

Christians, we have true peace and joy, and we need to start living like we do.

 

Connect with Candlewood Church

If you have questions about the fruit of the Spirit, please connect with Candlewood Church today. We would love to hear from you.