God’s Spirit lives inside us as children of God. His Spirit gives us strength, peace, wisdom and power. Through His Spirit we produce goodness in our lives. This only happens when we yield to His Spirit. When we let God guide us as we live each day we will experience the joy of our salvation. His peace and grace will surround us and flow through us. We will overflow with joy and hope.

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Fruit of the Spirit 

God’s Spirit produces fruit in our lives as we follow Him. We can produce good or bad fruit. Good fruit comes from the Spirit. Bad fruit comes from the flesh, from sin. We reap what is sown whether good or bad. God’s good fruit is what we should strive to produce through His strength and guidance. We can only produce good fruit through Christ, following Him every day. Staying connected to Christ at all times, abiding in Him, always produces good fruit in our lives. This glorifies God and testifies to the watching world.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  

Galatians 6:7-9

Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.  

Love

Love endures, is patient, does not give up, bears everything, covers iniquity, is kind, full of hope, does not lie, keeps no record of wrong, does not boast, rejoices in goodness and truth, despises evil, loves justice and is always faithful never failing. 

God’s love is different than the world. It is not conditioned or justified. It is pure and freely given. We can only learn and show God’s love through His help. Humanly we cannot love as He does. We must submit ourselves to Him every day and choose to live His way listening to and seeking His guidance in everything in our life. Through His Spirit we can show and give God’s love to all we meet, work with, pass by, encounter and interact with throughout our day, every day. 

Romans 13:9-10 

For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

Joy

God says to rejoice always. Every day even when it is hard. Even when it is dark and doubt and questions surround us. Even in uncertainty and calamity. God is always with us no matter where we go, what happens to us, or what we do. We cannot be separated from His love for us as His children.

We are His child if we have believed and put our faith in Him. We are saved and His Spirit lives in us as proof of our salvation. We have many blessings every day and throughout our life from Him. 

He is always there for us no matter what He is by our side. He cares for us every day. He holds us and carries us. He strengthens and encourages us. He gave us His Word and promises to cling to. He is our rock and steady hand. In all this and more we can find and choose joy anytime. His Spirit can bring joy and rejoice with our spirit in anything.

Philippians 4:4 

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!  

Psalms 68:19 

The Lord deserves praise. Day after day he carries our burden, the God who delivers us. 

Peace 

Jesus said to His disciples that He would give them peace, but not as the world does, instead He gave them His peace. The world’s peace is fleeting. It never stays and is always dependent on circumstances and feelings. God’s peace is constant. It goes beyond understanding. It’s reassurance of our salvation, god’s sovereignty over all and His love and care for us always.

We can claim God’s peace through His Spirit and power over whatever is happening in our life. Pray and ask for God’s peace and you will find rest and calm in your mind and your heart. He gives His peace whenever we ask. By keeping our minds focused on Him, seeking Him in everything we will have His peace over all we go through. 

John 16:33 

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.” 

John 14:27 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

Patience 

Waiting and bearing with others. Keeping hope and faith in our yet unanswered prayers. Patiently enduring in hard times while holding onto God’s promises. Loving others patiently as we walk with God in our lives. Patience is learned as we follow God. It is not something we naturally have.

The world says hurry. The world wants everything fast and faster all the time. Self centeredness says we deserve it, we earned it, shortcuts are fine, why should we have to wait, we don’t need to forgive or put up with others and more excuses and justifications. We find a way around being patient. Only God can teach us true patience. We must be willing to learn and trust Him. He will work in our hearts to transform our ways. Will we let Him?

Colossians 3:12-15

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.  

Kindness 

True kindness comes from the heart. Pure and genuine kindness results out of love for others. True love comes from God. He can teach us to see others as He does and to love and be kind to everyone even the difficult. Patience and understanding, compassion and kindness all work together. 

Reaching out to others and showing them kindness is a way to love them as Christ does. It demonstrates who God really is, His character. It’s why Jesus said to love our enemies. Then we are like our Father in Heaven. By relying on God’s Spirit in us and praying for understanding and love for all people, then we can truly show kindness to others. Realizing God’s great kindness to us in saving us and loving us no matter what, that can open our eyes and heart to those around us.

2 Peter 1:5-7

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love.  

Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Titus 3:4-7

But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.” 

Goodness

God is good. Through Him we can create goodness. We can share His love and goodness by caring for others, being kind and helpful, putting others first, carrying each others burdens, being patient and understanding, giving encouragement, showing compassion and spreading the hope of the gospel everywhere we go and those we interact with and encounter.

We reflect God’s character when we do these things and more. God’s Spirit will guide us if we seek and listen to Him. He will show us how, give us wisdom and open opportunities. We just need to trust and humbly follow where He leads us.

Ephesians 4:2-3

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Faithfulness 

God is always faithful. We are fallible as humans. We fail at times, but there is redemption through Christ. God is faithful even when we are not. Through His Spirit and strength we can too be faithful to others and God just as Christ is faithful to us. God can teach us and guide us in our ways to give us a faithful heart. 

Faithfulness extends to many areas of our lives. Faithfulness to God is choosing Him, spending time with God in prayer and reading scripture, trusting God, living in Christ, allowing God to work in our hearts and minds, letting Him guide us, serving Him, and seeking Him first in our life. Faithfulness also includes not only our relationship with friends and family, but also how we relate to and treat others, our employer or employees, our spouse, our children, the fulfillment of our daily responsibilities, our finances and even our possessions, our time management, our interests, our skills and talents, as well as our commitment, relationship and service to God.

Luke 16:10 

“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

Proverbs 28:20 

A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings, but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished. 

Philippians 2:3-8

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross! 

Gentleness 

The way we carry ourselves and interact with others can bring peace or conflict. We are commanded to do everything in love and gentleness. Jesus interacted with love and gentleness even when He pointed out hypocrisy and sin. Even when frustrated or angry, Jesus spoke with love. God is driven by His love and it factors into everything He does or allows in His sovereignty.

We can learn Christ’s gentle spirit, by abiding in Him. Seeking Him and letting Him lead every day in each moment. He will teach us how to respond, react and relate with others throughout our life in each day. He will change our viewpoint and perspective to His gradually if we let Him in our heart and mind.

1 Corinthians 16:14 

Everything you do should be done in love. 

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.  

Proverbs 15:1 

A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. 

Self-Control 

This starts from inside us. But what is inside us can be polluted by what we watch, participate in, places we go, people we are around, our environment, culture and even our thoughts. The tongue is a tricky thing. It is so easy to speak before we pause to think, calm down, sort out or consider our words towards others. The heart is full of twisted nature and evil rebelling against God. Our thoughts can turn to sin in our minds or acted upon. 

But we can fill our hearts and minds with Christ instead by reading His Word, spending time with God, taking stock of what we surround ourselves with and seeking instead to glorify God with all we do. God will help us learn self control by gradually and lovingly convicting us and working in us to change us from the inside out. This can only be if we let Him work in us and trust His guidance.

James 3:8-10

But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.  

Luke 6:45 

The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart. 

Matthew 15:19 

For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  

James 1:14-16

But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.  

Psalms 94:11 

The Lord knows that peoples’ thoughts are morally bankrupt. How blessed is the one whom you instruct, O LORD, the one whom you teach from your law.

Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.  

Getting Rid of the Flesh & its Desires

We must put off all sin and temptation from our flesh. Every day there is a battle between our flesh and God’s Spirit within us. We can give into it or seek God’s victory through His power in us to overcome sin. 

Galatians 5:24 

Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  

Keep Focused on Christ 

By keeping focused on Christ we can navigate temptation and deception and avoid the falls. Our focus determines our direction in life. Gods always makes a way out when we are tempted. He offers the path forward and around the snares. He is also full of mercy and grace, giving forgiveness and strength to continue in Him when we do mess up. 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.  

God Understands 

God knows we are human and in our power alone we can’t overcome sin. It’s only through God’s power in us through His Holy Spirit that we can resist and choose God’s way instead. God’s Spirit within us works to produce Godly desires and transform our thoughts, hearts and perspective into Gods. The more and closer we follow God the less attractive sin becomes and the more we understand God’s wisdom and faithfulness. 

Hebrews 4:16 

Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help. 

The Forces Around Us 

The devil and temptation can still attack hard at times, but immediately turning it over to God releases the power of God in us and reduces the pressure from sin. God will also discipline us at times, but know it is out of love for you. He loves us and therefore needs to correct us when we stray, but God also gently pulls us back to Him, patiently waiting and speaking to our hearts to return to Him. We grow, learn and heal, producing pure hearts and joyful living in Christ through God’s work in us by His Spirit.

Hebrews 12:11 

Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.  

Living by the Spirit 

We can choose to live by our own desires in the flesh or live by God’s desires by His Spirit. Living God’s way brings so much more meaning and fulfillment to our life. It brings joy, hope and peace.

Galatians 5:25 

If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.  

Living God’s Way

As we live for Him we find contentment and growth. Our eyes are opened to His ways and we gain understanding and knowledge as we live the abundant life He came to give. No matter what situation we face we learn to trust Him and see the wonderful ways He works in our life.

Philippians 4:12-13

I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.  

Philippians 1:9-11

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 

Behave in Accordance with the Spirit 

Christlikeness is the goal. Letting God’s Spirit guide us in all we do every day, we will become more like Christ. It’s a lifelong process. We are to have the attitude of Christ, living humbly with Christ, trusting Him with each part and moment of our life.  Our actions, words, perspective, purpose, desires and plans will come into alignment with God’s will and plan for us, if we let Him rule as Lord and Savior of our lives. We will find peace in Him as we imitate Christ in everything. Start and end each day with Christ. Seek Him in all things. Talk to Him throughout the day. Set Him first in your life. 

Romans 8:5 

For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.  

Romans 8:12-16

So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.  

Galatians 5:17-21

For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God! 

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