Surrender to the Holy SpiritSample

Many believers can have the Holy Spirit but that does not mean they walk in the Holy Spirit. For instance, to physically walk properly, you must have both legs functioning properly. Well, the same applies to our walk in the Holy Spirit. We must have two "legs"– the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit which could represent character and charisma.

In Galatians 5:22-23 we see that there are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, but one fruit of the Spirit. It’s interesting because Paul doesn’t call it the nine fruits of the Spirit; he names nine characteristics and calls them the fruit. Why is it singular and not plural? Well, these nine character qualities of the Holy Spirit come at the same time.

This fruit is what He develops in our character throughout our lifetime.

One important thing to remember is that fruit is not developed by striving. Trees don’t struggle to produce fruit. Branches simply abide on the tree, and they bear fruit. It’s your surrender, not striving, that the Holy Spirit will use to produce His character in you. It’s your attachment to the Holy Spirit that brings fruit. Therefore, as believers we shouldn't "work" on our fruit; we should work on developing a close relationship with Him, and fruit will come as a result. That’s why it’s called the fruit of the Holy Spirit, not the fruit of our efforts.

Before describing the fruit of the Spirit, Paul writes about the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). The works of the flesh are plural, but the fruit of the Spirit is singular. It’s interesting that all those evil works he mentions are connected with the flesh, not the devil. That means there are two approaches to character formation: the flesh or the Holy Spirit—works or fruit.

Maybe the problem with our character is that we are working on it out of our flesh instead of letting the Holy Spirit produce those qualities by a continuous surrender to His indwelling presence. Our natural inclinations, marred by sin, often steer us towards selfish desires and actions, leading us away from God's perfect plan for our lives. However, when we are rooted in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to take the lead, these nine virtues manifest beautifully, showcasing the transformative power of God's presence within us.

Reflection: Reflect on the differences between your human tendencies and the character traits that the Holy Spirit desires to grow within you. Have you ever tried to embody one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, only to find another lacking? That demonstrates our limitations and emphasizes the reality of our need for the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Let's Pray:

Lord, I am continually reminded of my limitations and my need for Your touch. Please help me to always surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to cultivate in me a character that You desire. May my life bear the fruit that only comes from an intimate relationship with You. Amen.