It’s the same way with us spiritually speaking. In Galatians 5:16-26 we see the kind of fruit we are to produce as believers and followers of Jesus Christ. The fruit listed there is not natural to this man. It’s quite a challenge sometimes to be honest. We have to nurture and feed our spiritual man in order to produce that fruit. Left on our own we will simply produce the type of fruit that is natural to the flesh, and to put it plainly, that ain’t good! One of the greatest hindrances to producing the fruit that is evidence of us being followers of Christ is our mouth. We have to spend time in God’s word and in prayer. We need to dwell and meditate on His precepts (Phil. 4:8). We need to marinate our heart and mind in His ways so we respond in a Christ like fashion. Ps. 17:3b-5 says “…I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip.” Too often I haven’t purposed in my heart that I won’t transgress with my mouth. The way to avoid the pitfalls our enemy sets for us is to heed God’s word. Once this takes root in our heart, then that’s what will pour off our tongue (Matt. 12:34) Ps. 39:1 says “I will guard my ways lest I sin with my mouth.” Interesting David connects guarding his ways with sinning with his mouth. It’s so easy; so natural to speak what first pops into our minds at any given moment. We can say the right thing in the wrong way or at the wrong time or with the wrong motive and the enemy pounces on that opportunity.
So how do we do this? How do we ensure the words that come out of our mouth are edifying for believers (Eph. 4:29) and glorifying to God (Ps. 19:14)? How do we produce the fruit of the Spirit? The answer is in Gal. 5:24: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Wanna produce fruit for Jesus? Then we have to crucify our desire to be heard, to be right, to have the last word, to set the record straight, to give someone a piece of our mind, all of which come quite naturally to most of us.
Lord, may I crucify my sinful desires and passions today. Crucify my pride and ego and let me choose to dwell on Your Holy Word that I may produce fruit that exemplifies Your Spirit that lives within me. For the glory of King Jesus I pray these things, amen.
