"The Fruit of the Spirit is....." How many times have you ever prayed for Patience? Or more Love, or kindness, or Self Control? I know I have lots.
Patience seems to be my constant one some days when my kids are being difficult!
Or Self control. Thats a tough one.
I have been wondering though.
Does it work?
I mean praying for the fruits of the spirit.
How often do you actually suddenly have more patience, and how long is it before you find yourself asking again.
I am starting to think that perhaps we have this wrong.
It says that the Holy Spirit produces all kinds of fruit in our live: Love, Joy Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The Holy Spirit produces...
My mind goes to a tree. A fruit tree. One that produces fruit.
The fruit of the tree comes from the tree. The tree produces fruit because it is invested in, paid attention to, taken care of. The fruit doesn't just appear, or all of a sudden develop to it's fullness. No, it takes time, nurturing, and a healthy attachment to the tree in order for it to grow.
Can the farmer say "I need apples today" and expect to have apples?
Can he avoid the tree and expect to have fruit?
If he ignores the tree, it can't produce healthy fruit.
Do you see what I'm saying?
The Holy Spirit produces all kinds of fruit...like a tree.
Why is it that we are praying for the fruits of the Spirit, when perhaps we should simply be asking for more of the Spirit?
If the Spirit produces the fruit then we can't get the fruit of the Spirit unless we have more of the spirit.
"If we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."
If you find yourself lacking in the fruits, try asking for more of the Spirit. See what happens.
* I posted this earlier this week, and have been practicing asking for the Holy Spirit in times of needed fruits....it has done wonders to my walk, my heart, my soul. I have realized that when we asked God for more of the fruits, initially it seems to work, but only because we change our
mind-set for that moment. When we ask God for more of the Spirit, it becomes a change of "heart-set"
...something far more lasting.
Linking with Imperfect Prose
