So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  – Galatians 5:16

Right after this verse, we are shown how we are not to be, and then we are shown how we are to be.  Just a few verses later we learn about the lusts of the flesh:  sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, fits of rage, selfish ambition, drunkenness, and the like.  After that, we learn about the fruit of the Spirit:  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control.  We know as Christ followers that we are to put away the flesh and its desires, but how do we do it for real?

I used to think that I had to work on this stuff.  I thought we had to do things like pray for patience and then motivate our self-will to not complain when we ran into traffic or long lines.  But the truth is, we simply walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.  If we are in the Spirit praying and communing with God, patience comes naturally and easily.  We don’t work on it; we get it instantaneously by walking by the Spirit.

I never noticed before that it isn’t the fruits (plural) of the Spirit, it is simply the fruit (singular) of the Spirit.  When you walk by the Holy Spirit, you get them all.  You and I don’t work on the individual parts saying, “I’ve got a bit more patience, but now I need to work on self-control.”  Walk in the Spirit and you get them all.

When I find myself being impatient, not having true peace in my heart, and even thinking unkind thoughts towards others, now I know the root cause.  I don’t need to work on being kind, I simply need to walk by the Spirit who is kind for me.  Then I will represent my Heavenly Father appropriately.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Today, lets walk by the Spirit.  We will have so much more joy in our hearts, and we will be so much more effective for the kingdom of our God.  

Lord, You have done so much in me and through me these first few weeks of 2025.  I have done nothing but get alone more with You and walk by the Holy Spirit.  Help me to keep it up all year long.  I don’t want to lose this closeness and I’m incredibly aware that if I lose it, then I am the one who moved.  You are the great God who does not change.  Bless me indeed!  Increase my territory!  Oh, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep evil from me.  Wash me, mold me, and help me keep my light shining before men, that others may see my good deeds, and glorify my Father in Heaven.  Amen