God's Holy Fire: 'Fruit of the Spirit'

Sunday, January 21, 2024

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
— Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Key Thought

Sometimes we misunderstand "fruit of the Spirit" because we say "fruits of the Spirit." This difference seems like such a small thing, but, unfortunately, this small thing can lead us to a dangerously false conclusion. The fruit of the Spirit involves all nine of these qualities. We can't excuse a lack of growth in one area or another as simply not having all the fruits of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is working to create the character of Jesus in us (2 Corinthians 3:18; see also Galatians 4:19). He wants to see us growing in each area; we should not excuse ourselves from any one of these qualities of Jesus. I don't know about you, but there are several areas in which I need to grow — but I believe the Spirit is making progress in them. Let's keep encouraging each other to let the Spirit lead us to become more and more like Jesus in every way!

Today's Prayer

O precious Father, God Most High, thank you for your patience, grace, and forgiveness. I want the Holy Spirit to lead me and empower me to grow in every way, but especially so that I can be more and more like Jesus in love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you for hearing my prayer offered in Jesus' name. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 21, 2024

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 22:4
"Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Golden Life'
"Dear Beloved, We often make understanding what God wants much harder than it really is. One of the important aspects of My teaching is that I tried....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Holy Spirit Gave the Ability!' (Acts 2:3-6)
"Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of [the believers]. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'My Need' (Ro. 5:6-11)
"Dear Father, gracious God, Thank you, dear Father, that while we were helpless, Christ our Savior died for the ungodly. You showed your love for us....."

Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:22-23 NIV — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations