Opening Verse
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
Introduction
As followers of Christ, we are given powerful tools to live a life that honors God. These are the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Yet, we are constantly surrounded by forces that work against these virtues—what we could call the antifruits. These could be hatred, anger, anxiety, impatience, cruelty, and many other negative traits. But God’s Word shows us how to resist these and to bear His fruits in every area of life.
Devotional Story
A young man named Daniel faced great temptation at work. His co-workers often gossiped, spreading negativity and harsh judgments about others. This environment pressured him to join in or risk being isolated. At first, Daniel gave in. He found himself making snide remarks about others, losing his sense of peace, and feeling bitterness in his heart.
One day, after a particularly difficult day of falling into this behavior, Daniel felt a conviction in his spirit. He remembered Galatians 5:22-23 and realized he had been feeding the antifruits of envy, anger, and impatience. He knelt in prayer that evening and asked God to fill him with the fruits of the Spirit instead.
From that moment on, Daniel made a conscious effort to replace negativity with love, to spread peace instead of gossip, and to be gentle even in the face of conflict. It wasn’t easy, but as he practiced walking in the Spirit daily, the workplace atmosphere began to change. Others saw his joy, kindness, and patience, and some even followed his example.
What This Means
The fruits of the Spirit are given to us to combat the toxic behaviors and emotions that easily infiltrate our lives. We are called to rise above the antifruits by the power of the Holy Spirit, who transforms us from the inside out. The more we seek to live according to these fruits, the more we can shine as lights in a dark world. Remember, love overcomes hate, joy defeats despair, and patience outlasts anger. When we focus on these fruits, the enemy’s antifruits lose their hold.
Think About This
- What areas of your life have you seen the antifruits creeping in?
- How can you practice using the fruits of the Spirit to combat negative emotions or behaviors?
- Remember that this battle is won by the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you leaning on Him daily?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the fruits of the Spirit. Help us to walk in love, joy, peace, and all the virtues You have given us. Strengthen us to combat the antifruits that try to take root in our hearts. We ask for Your Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions, so that we may reflect Your love and goodness in every situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Verse
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16 (KJV)