Fruit by Trial

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Galatians 5:22–26 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

What It's Speaking to Me

I learned songs in children's church about the fruit of the Spirit, and this is one of those sets of verses you learn early if you grow up in the church. The reality of this fruit is that it can be simultaneously very easy to acquire, and very hard.

There are times where it seems the Holy Spirit is pouring this fruit into our lives. Joy abounds, peace is plentiful, and you have a seemingly endless supply of patience and gentleness for those around you.

Other times, the fruit is forged in a trial by fire. Your patience is tempered in frustration. Peace is tested in serious crisis, gentleness is challenged by rage, kindness has to be shown to an enemy, and self-control has to show up when no one is watching.

I am grateful for the times on the mountaintops where the fruit is "low-hanging." But I have found that the fruit that lasts is usually grown in the soil of trial. So take the opportunity that trials bring: they are the soil where the fruit of the Spirit grows strong in you.

Trials are temporary, but fruit is forever. And the fruit of the Spirit doesn't just bless you, it blesses everyone around you. So let's get walking...

What Is It Saying to You?

• Which fruit are you most tempted to fake rather than grow?

• Is there someone in your life right now who is being used by God to produce real fruit in you, and you've been calling them a problem instead?

What Are We Going to Do About It?

Pick one fruit. One relationship. One week. Walk it out.