Verse: Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Devotion:
Just prior to this verse, we are warned against several ungodly practices that can divert our attention away from the cross. Standing in stark contrast are the fruits of the spirit. These characteristics point back to the cross and reflect the heart of Jesus.

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self control. Reflecting on these attributes, I wonder if anyone would describe me with these adjectives. I sure as heck know I would not say all of these things are true of me. I claim the name of Christ, but I do not exhibit these attributes that are meant to reflect the world back to him.

… so thank God for the rest of this passage. “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” This makes me think of the verse in chapter two that states “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. Fleshly desires and passions have been crucified. Thank God that through connection to the Spirit, we are able to walk every step with Him.

You see, friend, we can’t exemplify the fruits of the Spirit on our own. We’re not meant to. That’s why they come from the Spirit. I can easily slip into feeing like I have to try to do things on my own accord and failing, over and over again. My natural inclination is to be the opposite of all of the fruits of the spirit. We’re inherently selfish and sinful. BUT GOD. Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to our PERFECT Creator. Each day we live connected to our Creator, we crucify our own desires and are able to live in the fruits of the Spirit to point a broken world back to Him.

Prayer:
Thank you Jesus. Thank you God for being our perfect creator. Thank you for never leaving us to do a step alone. Holy Spirit, guide me in crucifying my sinful desires. Help me to exemplify the fruits of the Spirit. Use me as a vessel to point this broken world that needs You back to You. God, help me to see the sweet moments that you work through me to die to myself and to show You instead. Draw me closer to You so that I can better reflect Your heart. Amen

Author: Becca Artymenko