Week 10: Transformation
Life can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war between who we are and who we want to be. This passage in Galatians talks about that inner struggle, the tension between our natural impulses and the life God offers through His Spirit. It’s honest about the mess but also full of hope. The “fruit of the Spirit” isn’t about forcing ourselves to be better people. It’s about what starts to grow in us when we begin to walk with God (things like love, joy, peace, and patience). It’s not instant or perfect, but it’s real. The idea here isn’t about trying harder, but being open to a different way, one led by the Spirit, not by pressure or shame.
Read Galatians 5:16-24 (ESV)
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.."
Reflection:
What qualities do you want to see growing in your life?
If God’s Spirit really does lead to things like peace and joy, would you want to know Him more?
Additional Resources
10 Things You Should Know About the Fruit of the Spirit (The Gospel Coalition)