When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior and acknowledge that only His death and resurrection can cleanse us of our sins, our body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit begins working in us to make us more and more like Christ. If we remain in the Word and allow Him to work in us without “stifling” Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19) – We will see the fruit in our life.
…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control… Galations 5:22-23
I often reflect on this verse and the evidence of fruit in my life. I take a look at myself and ask: “How am I doing in these areas?”
Am I being loving? To my husband and my children? To my family and friends? To strangers?
Would people consider me to be joyful? Or do I whine and complain too much about my circumstances?
Does my life indicate a peace in my circumstances – whatever they may be?
Am I patient? In both my daily interactions with the people in my life and in waiting on God in situations that I encounter?
Am I kind? Do I put others’ needs before my own? Am I the type of person that people can come to when they need prayer and encouragement? Do I put people at ease or do I intimidate them or make them uncomfortable?
Am I a good person? Am I reliable and trustworthy? Am I responsible and dependable? Do I live a moral life?
Is faith evident in my life? Do I believe God? Not just believe in God – but really believe him to work his will in my life? Do I trust that his will is better than mine, even if I don’t always understand it?
Am I gentle in how I deal with people, even in tough situations? Are my words gentle?
Do I exhibit self-control? With my anger? With my tongue? With my temptations and habits?
This reflection highlights the areas that I’m not allowing the Holy Spirit complete access to in my life. It also gives me an opportunity to remind myself that growing in these areas is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my life.
Lord – today and everyday, help me to remember this and to boldly live my life in such a way that this fruit is more and more evident in me. — Amen!
******************************************************************************************************
Here are some of the other things that the Holy Spirit is busy doing our lives:
Convicting us of sin — that feeling of sadness and regret when we know that we are living in sin. If we ignore this feeling of conviction for too long, it will become harder and harder for us to recognize.
And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgement. John 16:8
Illuminating the Word of God for us — The more we read the Bible, the more that God reveals to us.
But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 1 Corinthians 2:10
Praying for us — In some situations, it is hard to know what to pray for – especially when we can acknowledge that we should be praying for God’s will.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us…And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27
Teaching us — There is so much God wants us to know and understand, much of which will not be clear until we join him in heaven. But he sent his Spirit to guide us in the meantime.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth… John 16:13