We all need to go to the doctor at some point in our lives to be assessed and make sure that all is well. We could be in picture-perfect health on the outside but an absolute mess on the inside. The same goes for our spiritual lives: We may look like we are living a life that’s pleasing to God on the outside, but what about the inside?
Are our hearts and minds where they need to be in God?
As humans and creatures of habit, we tend to constantly be on the go, living life, doing our daily schedule. However, in our habits, we often miss the things that are utmost important to our spiritual life: The Fruits of the Spirit. God created them to be our spiritual guideline. The Fruits tell us when our spiritual health isn’t what it needs to be. It’s a guideline of how our spirit SHOULD be and how we should act daily.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 {KJV}
When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are filled with the Fruits of the Spirit. The Holy Ghost holds all of these fruits. Each one of them is an example of how the Holy Ghost should show in the way we live our lives.
1. Love. The true meaning of love is to give freely to others without expecting anything in return. It is the attitude of doing good to others and your commitment to them.
2. Joy. Joy is a feeling all on its own. Joy is being happy through the GOOD times and the BAD times. If you are in tune with God, then He will give you joy even in the hardest of times.
3. Peace. Peace is the feeling of relief and wholeness that God gives you. No matter what it going on around you, when God gives you peace, you know that everything is going to be ok.
4. Long-suffering. Long-suffering means to HOLD ON without resentment. It means to withstand ALL that is being thrown at you, all without getting angry at the hardship you’re in.
5. Gentleness. When you have gentleness in your heart, you look to do good. You help those around you without expecting anything back. You help without the intent of evil.
6. Goodness. When you have goodness in your heart, you want to share goodness with others and want them to have goodness as well!
7. Faithfulness. A faithful person is one who is truly devoted to God. Faith is believing when it may seem impossible. Faith is trusting God wholly with your heart.
8. Meekness. To be meek is to be humble and without pride.
9. Temperance. Temperance is to be in control of your fleshly desires without giving in. It is having the Holy Ghost guide our fleshly actions instead of yourself.