love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

One of my favorite versus is Galatians 5:22-23 that identifies the fruit of the spirit. I find this verse intriguing because it tunes my heart to things we can appreciate deeply. When we see kindness in action by others, for example, it tends to make us more kind.

The fruit of the spirit gives us a different way to live and a different way to see the world. Human nature is not necessarily aligned with these fruits. Left on its own, human nature tends to veer in a direction away from these fruits. Add some Holy Spirit into life and this fruit begins reappearing. Life is better that way.

I find it interesting that in verse 23, it says “against such, there is no law.” In other words, neither man nor God places rules that limit this fruit.

When I read the news, it appears man would often like to penalize a person that bears this fruit. At least when it comes to Faithfulness.

When a person identifies himself or herself as a person of faith, often media would like to portray that person in a negative light. A baker that takes the position that his baked goods should not celebrate a life that God calls an abomination, for example, is twisted into a court battle where man tries to force the baker to do what his heart tells him not to do.

This sort of activity makes one wonder about how man tries to place laws where the Bible clearly says there is no such law.

It is hard to imagine a law against kindness or gentleness. Yet I read about a police office that does his job in order to protect the public and receives threats and discipline if he or she makes a mistake in the process. I am not speaking of the obvious and intentional acts that police officers have done that hurt or kill people, I am only speaking of the distaste that society has directed toward many kind and gentle officers through the “defund” police movement.

This is a place where man seems to push an agenda that is contrary to pushing these fruits of the spirit when any person, in a moment of truth has a difficult time arguing against any of this fruit.

Spend some time today living a life displaying the fruit of the spirit. It will improve your day and the day of anyone that crosses your path.