Want to Work Differently Eat This Fruit

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

When we desire to get married or have a relationship with someone, whether intimate or formal, we often have a list of qualities we want to see in them.

The qualities you want in a business partner may be different from those of a spouse. But there’s always a list. Even if this list isn’t written on paper, it’s a subconscious filter that enables us to identify people who could fill those positions.

I had a list when choosing my wife. I didn’t write it down, but I subconsciously ticked boxes. There were items on that list I didn’t know existed until she came around.

Now, the Apostle Paul has given us a specific list that can define who we bring into our circle. This list is not something we personally struggle to achieve, as in the Old Testament. We achieve it by God’s grace and can look out for in others as we define our circles and stay intentional about only moving with those filled with the Holy Spirit like us.

How does having the fruit of the Spirit lead to good work?

As believers, our primary approach to any activity is to show God’s love to others. We love others as God has loved us. Showing God’s love isn’t just about giving to the poor or forgiving people.

We properly express His love when we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in all our dealings. When your random acts of kindness brighten someone’s day, the joy in your heart overflows into your work, or your self-control helps you solve customer problems differently, people experience a different dimension of you.

For this fruit to grow in our lives, there must be some planting, which is done through prayer. Afterwards, we can eat this fruit any day, at any time. As we then go about our daily activities, opportunities to be faithful, to show love, or to be patient show up. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, we show these qualities and are better off for it. 

“My life is an expression of the fruit of the Spirit.”

Are you intentional about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you? How self-aware are you about your thoughts and actions?

Just as you try to list out and fill your network with people who are intentional about expressing this fruit in their lives, others are also filling theirs. Will you be on that list?