August 29, 2025

TRUE FRUIT

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 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!”

Galatians 5:19-23 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

In today’s passage, Paul paints a vivid contrast between two ways of living: a life controlled by the flesh and a life controlled by the Spirit.

1. We all have a sinful nature

Paul says, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear.” We are all born with this sinful nature—that’s why Jesus said we must be born again.

Our sinful nature reveals itself in selfishness, pride, and destructive behaviors: immorality, idolatry, hostility, jealousy, anger, envy, and more. Left unchecked, these things take root and shape the direction of our lives.

2. When we are born again, the Spirit takes over

Paul reminds us that “the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives.” Notice—this fruit is not something we can produce by willpower, discipline, or intellect. It is the supernatural work of the Spirit living in us.

3. We don’t produce the fruit—we prepare the soil

Think about planting: if you plant an apple tree, you don’t get peaches. The seed determines the fruit. Likewise, the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit.

But for growth, the soil must be right. In our spiritual lives:

• Good soil → staying planted in a healthy church family

• Water → feeding on the Word of God

• Light → making time for worship and the presence of God

When we cultivate these conditions, the Spirit produces His fruit in us.

4. We should inspect what’s growing

Fruit is evidence. If anger, jealousy, or envy are growing in our lives, that’s a warning sign—we may be feeding the flesh instead of the Spirit. If the fruit of the Spirit is growing, it will be visible in our attitudes, actions, and relationships.

5. One fruit, nine characteristics

Paul calls it the fruit of the Spirit (singular), not “fruits.” This means it’s one fruit with nine expressions—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We can’t pick and choose among them. True fruit will show all nine characteristics. If one is missing, it’s a sign that part of our life still needs to be surrendered to the Spirit.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, make my life fertile soil for Your fruit. Show me any area of my heart not fully yielded to You. Help me to walk in Your presence daily so that Your fruit grows and shines through me.

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