Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.
Reading: Galatians 5:22-23
Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.
After naming the works of the flesh, Paul gives us the other picture: the fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This isn't a checklist of behaviors to fake; it's the natural evidence of a life the Holy Spirit is genuinely at work in.
Paul sets a real standard here — love that costs you something, peace that holds steady no matter the circumstances, self-control that puts your desires under the Spirit’s command instead of the reverse. Someone who is committed to following Jesus will grow in these areas. Though, you won't master all nine today; the goal is honesty and staying open to what the Spirit wants to work in you next.
Where do you sense the Spirit has been challenging you lately? Where do you need to repent and renew your commitment to embracing His way in your life?
Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…
- Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
- Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: Father, thank You for setting such a clear and good standard for my life. I confess the areas where this fruit is still small in me. Holy Spirit, keep doing Your patient work — grow in me what only You can produce. Amen.
- Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.
Faith Step:
Ask the Spirit to give you opportunity to practice one of the fruit that you have been struggling with.