“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would†(Galatians 5:17).
Before anything can be planted there needs to be some preparation of the soil. In our case, the soil is our heart. We learn in the next verses following today’s text what we were filled with before Jesus saved us and placed His Spirit within us. We had to make some changes to make the Spirit feel comfortable in its new abode. We have a sin nature that makes us want to do things that are contrary to the things of God. Until Christ’s return there will always be conflict between the forces of good and evil. Both are trying to win control over us. Once the Spirit comes to live in us, He wants to instruct us how to overcome our fleshly desires. Our lifestyle gradually changes as the Spirit plants within us qualities that show the world, God has worked a miracle in our lives. At times this may seem like a slow and painful process. We may have to endure a “fertilizer factor†as we develop each of the “grapes†in our “cluster of grapes†or “Fruit of the Spirit.†For example, we may pray for patience. We may have to go through trials and learn how that “fertilizer†helps us grow patience.
We should allow the Spirit the control to do whatever it takes to produce “fruit.†Tomorrow we begin to focus on each of the “grapes†in our cluster.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God how much He would have you give to Building for the Future: 20/20/20, WNAC’s national project.
