Sharing by Caring / ODB

 

Sharing by Caring Love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14 READ Galatians 5:14–15, 22–26 The young pastor prayed every morning, asking God to use him that day to bless someone. Often, to his delight, such a situation arose. One day during a break at his second job, he sat in the sunshine with a coworker who asked him about Jesus. The pastor simply answered the other man’s questions. No rant. No arguing. The pastor commented that being guided by the Holy Spirit led him to have a casual talk that felt effective but loving. He made a new friend as well—someone hungry to learn more about God. Letting the Holy Spirit lead us is the best way to tell others about Jesus. He told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). The fruit of the Spirit “is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Living under the Spirit’s control, that young pastor put into practice what Peter instructed: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Even if we suffer for believing in Christ, our words can show the world that His Spirit leads us. Then our walk will draw others to Him. By Patricia Raybon What’s your communication style when telling others about Jesus? How would letting the Holy Spirit lead make your talks more effective? As I tell others about Jesus, please lead me, Holy Spirit, to speak with Your love. For further study, read Live Free: A Fresh Look at the Fruit of the Spirit.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT In Galatians 5, we tend to focus on the fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22-23), which believers in Jesus should display. But it’s also important to note how the Spirit’s fruit contrasts with the works of the flesh (vv. 19-21). Paul describes these works as “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Line that up against the fruit of the Spirit, and the difference in quality of life is apparent. Notice the destructive nature of the works of the flesh—which include spiritual, moral, and relational failures—compared with the life-affirming nature of the fruit of the Spirit, which is important for the believer’s witness to the world. While all the works of the flesh are in violation of the law of Moses, Paul says of the Spirit’s fruit, “Against such things there is no law” (v. 23). Bill Crowder