Spirit Led Life

Quick! What are the nine fruits of the Spirit? I wonder if I just caught you off guard or if you were able to repeat them without missing a beat. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Why does it matter whether we know the fruits of the Spirit and whether they are applicable to the law? The answers to those questions have the ability to significantly impact the remainder of your life and your effectiveness on Earth as a Christian.

I once heard a story about a person who said they have two dogs living inside of them. Everyone can relate to dogs in one way or another. The first dog is gentle, obedient and a joy to be around. The second dog is ferocious, unpleasant and often unpredictable. This person said these two dogs were at constant battle with each other day after day. The question was posed to him, who usually wins and he simply said, “the one that I feed more.”

Those two dogs represent the constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit. Prior to a person receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior, all they have is the flesh. When a person makes the decision to profess Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they receive the very Spirit of God. From that day onward, the constant battle ensues between the flesh and the Spirit.

I just love the answer that is given to the question of who usually wins. He says, “the one I feed more.” Think about that for a second. Let it really sink it and ask yourself this question, which dog am I feeding more on a daily basis? In other words, if the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are two separate trails, do your eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet closely follow the fruit of the Spirit trail? Are we indulging in our “self-centered human appetites” or acknowledging the presence of the Holy Spirit, desiring its leadership and following its lead.

When we are in tune with the fruits of the Spirit and choose a Spirit led life, those fruits can be manifested throughout each day which is against no law. Others will see them and catch a glimpse of Christ because He is literally living through us! You see, we cannot generate these fruits by ourselves. “They grow as the result of Christians letting the Spirit guide how they live.” Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Everyday we have the opportunity to become more like Christ (process of sanctification). What better way to achieve this than by focusing on consistently practicing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. That is a Spirit led life!

Your Brother in Christ,

Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40

"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"

Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit www.playingforjesusministries.com.