Tag Archives: Fruit of the Spirit

Christian Living

A Fragrance That Lingers

Leave a comment

Living in the Goodness of the Holy Spirit

“The good man from his inner good treasure brings out good things.” — Matthew 12:35, NASB

Beloved, let your heart be still before God. Let the world’s winds pass by and lean in to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit. You are not called to be impressive by the world’s standard. You are called to be faithful. You are not commanded to be celebrated but to be good—good in the eyes of El Shaddai, filled with the fruit of His Spirit, a quiet blaze of holiness in a dark land.

The goodness of the Holy Spirit is not a performance but a posture. It is the outflow of a soul rooted in Jesus, the True Vine. When the fire of God’s presence abides within, He produces in you what the flesh never could: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23, NASB). This kind of goodness cannot be manufactured. It flows from the inner treasure stored up by the Spirit of God.

Child of God, do not overlook the power of a life of quiet faithfulness. You may not be known in the gates of this world, but your prayers shake the heavens. You may not speak before kings, but El Roi sees you when you kneel. You are the first to rise when the church doors open and the last to leave when the Spirit moves. And though your name may never trend, your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life—etched by the blood of Yeshua, sealed by the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul urged Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God within him—not for fame, but for faithfulness (2 Timothy 1:6). Likewise, the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, bore witness to those who walked in truth, not with trumpets, but with testimony. He wrote, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4, NASB). The goodness of the Holy Spirit is revealed in daily obedience, the quiet constancy of a soul set on God.

A.W. Tozer wrote of such men and women. Not pastors or prophets. Not singers on stages. But the ones who sweep the sanctuary floor, who weep in intercession when no one sees. Their fragrance lingers long after the applause of men fades. These are the “plain people,” but they are rich in the Spirit, the marrow of the church, the ones who carry revival in their hearts, not in their headlines.

Dear reader, you are called not to be great in your own strength but to be good through the Holy Spirit. When you store up His Word in your heart, He will bring forth fruit in season. When you walk with integrity, pray in the secret place, and love those around you with Heaven’s compassion, you reflect the image of Christ.

The world exalts celebrities, but Heaven honors saints. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16). So let us set our hearts not on being seen, but on being pure vessels filled with the goodness of the Holy Spirit.

Even now, Yeshua watches over you, not with the eyes of man, but with eyes of fire. He rejoices not in your platform but in your purity. He sees you serving, sowing, praying, and pressing on. And when your race is finished, the fragrance of your life will remain—a testimony that the Holy Spirit was here.

Prayer

Holy Father, I thank You for the call to be faithful and good. I don’t seek the praise of men—I long for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Cleanse me by the blood of the Lamb and fill me anew. Let the fruit of the Spirit overflow in me, especially the quiet and constant goodness that reflects Your heart. Use my life—even in hiddenness—to be a fragrance of Christ to all who encounter me. May I carry Your presence well. In the name of Yeshua, amen.

⸻

See Also

Personal Holiness

Transformed to Triumph

Leave a comment

Walking Free from Sin by the Power of God

Final Article in the 12-Part Series on Overcoming Sin

Beloved, you have walked with us through the battlefields of the heart—where sin once reigned and flesh once ruled. You have seen the war within, but more importantly, you’ve seen the way out. Not by your strength, not by willpower, but by the grace and truth of the living God.

This is not the end of the journey. It is a new beginning. You were not redeemed to return to old chains—you were called to walk free from sin, step by step, from glory to glory, until Christ is fully formed in you.

⸻

Twelve Chains Broken, Twelve Truths Embraced

Let these truths mark your path, and let the Spirit write them on your heart:

1. Contentment Over Lust of the Eyes

“I have learned to be content…” (Philippians 4:11-12, NASB).

When your eyes long for more, fix them on the sufficiency of Yeshua. He alone satisfies.

2. Self-Control Over Lust of the Flesh

“The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB).

Discipline is not about denial—it is about being filled with something greater than desire.

3. Humility Over Pride of Life

“Humble yourselves… and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10, NASB).

There is no room for self-glory where God is rightly enthroned.

4. Gentleness Over Anger and Wrath

“A gentle answer turns away wrath…” (Proverbs 15:1, NASB).

Let the patience of God quiet the fury of your flesh.

5. Encouragement Over Gossip and Slander

“Speak what is good for edification…” (Ephesians 4:29, NASB).

Your words can heal or harm—choose to be a voice that builds.

6. Truthfulness Over Deceit and Lies

“Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor…” (Ephesians 4:25, NASB).

Honesty honors God. Let truth dwell deeply in you and pour freely from your life.

7. Worship Over Idolatry

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” (Matthew 22:37, NASB).

Tear down every idol. Give God the throne, and let your life burn with devotion.

8. Forgiveness Over Bitterness

“Forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NASB).

The chains of bitterness break when mercy flows. Forgive, not to forget—but to be free.

9. Generosity Over Greed and the Love of Money

“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7, NASB).

Let open hands be your testimony. You are blessed to be a blessing.

10. Diligence Over Laziness and Complacency

“Do your work heartily, as for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23, NASB).

You were not made to drift—you were designed to build, plant, and bear fruit.

11. Grace Over Hypocrisy and Judgment

“Let your speech always be with grace…” (Colossians 4:6, NASB).

Put down the mask. Speak and live with sincerity, for you are clothed in mercy.

12. Peace Over Fear and Anxiety

“My peace I give to you…” (John 14:27, NASB).

Let His presence be your anchor. You are held, seen, and perfectly kept.

⸻

What Now? Walking Free from Sin Daily

Now that these truths have been planted, how do you walk them out?

  • Abide in the Word. God’s Word is your sword and shield—read it, speak it, live it.
  • Stay close to Yeshua. Victory isn’t found in principles but in the Person of Christ.
  • Live by the Spirit. Don’t strive—surrender. Let the Spirit lead you into lasting transformation.
  • Stay in community. Don’t walk alone. The body strengthens the weak and guards the way.
  • Repent quickly and rise again. When you fall, don’t stay down. Run to your Father.

⸻

You Were Made for More

You are no longer a slave. You are a son. A daughter. A redeemed vessel set apart for the glory of El Shaddai. The very power that raised Yeshua from the grave lives in you. So walk boldly. Love deeply. Fight humbly. And never forget—sin is defeated. Jesus is Lord.

⸻

Prayer

Father, thank You for the journey You’ve brought me through. Thank You for exposing sin and pouring out grace. I surrender every area, every thought, every weakness to You. Make me holy, make me true. Let the transformation not end here—let it deepen daily. Help me to walk in victory, abide in Your Spirit, and live for Your glory. I am Yours, anchored in peace, clothed in righteousness, and called to reflect Your light. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

⸻

Meta Description:

Focus Keyphrase:

Personal Holiness

Gentle Over Angry

God’s Answer to Wrath

“Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19–20, NASB

Beloved, hear me now: anger will never do what only the Spirit can. Rage may stir your flesh, but it cannot produce righteousness. The wrath of man builds walls, not altars. It divides, devours, and destroys—but God’s answer to wrath is not more wrath. It is gentleness. It is the quiet strength of the Lamb who could have called down fire, but instead bowed low and washed feet.

This is the great reversal of the Kingdom. While the world justifies fury and applauds revenge, God exalts the meek. The Son of God stood silent before accusers, not because He lacked power, but because He was filled with the Spirit. His gentleness shook the gates of hell and opened the door to eternal life. And now, you are called to walk in that same Spirit.

Wrath is not strength. Gentleness is. Do not believe the lie that anger gives you control. The truth is, when anger reigns, you have already lost control. What begins as frustration quickly becomes fire. It spreads through relationships, scorches your peace, and quenches the Spirit. But when you choose gentleness, you invite God’s hand to move. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1, NASB

Imagine a blacksmith forging a weapon. With every strike, he controls his fire. If the flame runs too hot, the metal warps. If it grows cold, it hardens before it’s ready. Only by skillfully managing the heat can he shape the blade. This is what God calls you to—meekness under the Spirit’s control. You are not to be cold and silent, nor are you to boil over in fury. You are to be tempered by the fire of Heaven and formed into a vessel of peace.

Look to Yeshua, who drove out moneychangers not with rage, but with zeal for His Father’s house. Look to Moses, described as the meekest man on earth, who interceded even for those who grumbled against him. Look to Stephen, stoned by a mob, yet praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” That is the power of God at work—gentleness over anger, mercy over wrath.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9, NASB

God’s answer to wrath is a transformed heart, not a controlled temper. It is not enough to count to ten or bite your tongue. The root of anger must be surrendered. Bring it to the cross. Let the fire of His holiness consume every grudge, every harsh word, every memory that still ignites your flesh. Only the blood of the Lamb can quiet the storm within you.

Ask yourself: Does your anger serve God’s purpose—or your pride? Does it defend righteousness—or just your reputation? Lay it down. All of it. Be done with harshness, sarcasm, outbursts, and the spirit of offense. Let El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, be your defense. He sees. He judges righteously. He repays.

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31–32, NASB

God’s answer to wrath is not weakness—it is divine strength under perfect control. The Spirit of God leads you to respond with patience, to listen with compassion, and to speak peace over chaos. This is not natural. It is supernatural. It comes from abiding in the presence of El Elyon, being filled daily with His Word, and refusing to be mastered by emotion.

This world is burning with anger. But you, beloved, are called to burn with holiness. Choose gentleness—not to appease man, but to reflect the heart of your Father in Heaven. Let the world see something different in you. Let them encounter the power of a quieted spirit, anchored in God, unmoved by offense.

Prayer

Father, I surrender my anger at Your feet. Forgive me for every time I acted out of wrath and not love. Cleanse my heart. Fill me with the Spirit of gentleness. Make me a peacemaker. Teach me to respond as Yeshua did—with truth, but never with hate. I reject the lie that anger will accomplish what only Your Spirit can. Let my words bring healing. Let my presence carry peace. Let my life reflect the quiet strength of Heaven. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

⸻

Key Takeaways for God’s Answer to Wrath:

  • Human anger cannot produce the righteousness of God.
  • Gentleness is not weakness—it is the strength of the Spirit under control.
  • Meekness invites God’s power to move where wrath only causes damage.
  • Choose to be a peacemaker in a world ruled by rage.

Do not let anger define your witness. Let gentleness mark your life. God’s answer to wrath is not found in shouting louder—it’s found in kneeling lower.

See Also

Devotion to God

Walk by the Spirit, Not by the Flesh

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh”(Galatians 5:16, NASB).

Beloved brothers and sisters, you have been called into the freedom of Christ—not a freedom that serves the flesh, but a freedom that submits to the Spirit! Have you not received the very presence of God within you? “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, NASB). If this is true, why do you still struggle against the fruit of righteousness?

The Spirit has been given, and His fruit is evident—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not mere ideals but the very evidence of God’s work in you. Yet many still return to strife, to envy, to the empty boastings of the flesh. But “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24, NASB). If you are in Christ, then the old self is dead! So why would you return to what has been nailed to the cross?

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, NASB). It is not enough to claim the name of Christ while walking in the ways of the world. Your conduct must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2, NASB). There is no room for arrogance, for provocation, or for envy among the people of God (Galatians 5:26). These things belong to the darkness, and “what partnership does righteousness have with lawlessness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, NASB).

Examine yourselves, then! “Every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:17, NASB). Has the fruit of the Spirit increased in you? Or do you still find the thorns of the flesh rising up? Do not be deceived—a tree is known by its fruit. If the Spirit of God dwells within you, let Him produce a life that testifies to His power. Abide in Him, and He will abide in you! (John 15:4).

May the grace of Yeshua be with you, strengthening you to walk in the Spirit all the days of your life. Amen.

See Also

Spiritual

The Fruit of the Spirit: Cultivating Christlike Character

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy [inner peace], peace [tranquility], patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law” (AMP). These qualities are not mere traits to admire but evidence of God at work in us. To bear this fruit, we must abide in Christ (John 15:5), allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. Here are practical ways to cultivate each fruit in our daily lives:

1. Love

• Life Application: Start each day by asking God to help you see others as He does. Practice acts of love by serving someone without expecting anything in return—whether by listening to a friend in need or helping a neighbor.

• Prayer Focus: Ask God to teach you to love sacrificially and unconditionally, as Jesus loves you.

2. Joy

• Life Application: Shift your focus from circumstances to gratitude. Keep a journal of daily blessings, no matter how small, and celebrate the goodness of God in all things.

• Prayer Focus: Pray for joy rooted in the assurance of God’s promises, even in trials.

3. Peace

• Life Application: Practice surrendering worries to God. When anxiety arises, pause and pray Philippians 4:6-7 aloud, trusting that God’s peace will guard your heart and mind.

• Prayer Focus: Ask God to replace turmoil with His peace and help you trust His timing and plans.

4. Patience

• Life Application: Instead of reacting in frustration, count to ten and remind yourself that God is patient with you. Practice patience by intentionally slowing down in areas like driving, parenting, or waiting in lines.

• Prayer Focus: Pray for the grace to respond to delays or difficulties with a calm and trusting heart.

5. Kindness

• Life Application: Look for opportunities to bless someone daily. This could mean offering a word of encouragement, a helping hand, or simply a smile.

• Prayer Focus: Ask God to soften your heart and help you see how you can reflect His kindness to those around you.

6. Goodness

• Life Application: Commit to living with integrity. Make choices that honor God, even when no one is watching. Volunteer or support a cause that aligns with God’s heart.

• Prayer Focus: Ask for discernment to choose what is good and upright in every situation.

7. Faithfulness

• Life Application: Be consistent in your walk with God. Set aside daily time for prayer and Scripture reading, and honor your commitments to others, even when it’s inconvenient.

• Prayer Focus: Pray for the strength to remain steadfast in faith and responsibilities.

8. Gentleness

• Life Application: Speak with humility and grace, even when correcting or disagreeing with someone. Practice responding with a soft tone rather than harsh words.

• Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you reflect His gentleness in all your interactions.

9. Self-Control

• Life Application: Identify areas where you struggle with discipline, such as overeating, overspending, or speaking impulsively. Commit these areas to God and take small, intentional steps to develop self-control.

• Prayer Focus: Pray for strength to resist temptation and walk in obedience to God’s will.

A Life Rooted in the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is not something we produce by sheer effort; it flows from a life deeply rooted in Christ. As we draw nearer to God, His Spirit shapes us into the image of Christ. This transformation requires daily surrender, consistent prayer, and a commitment to live by His Word.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who produces fruit in our lives. Help us to abide in You so that we may grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Lord, we cannot do this on our own—work in us for Your glory. Teach us to seek more of You and less of ourselves each day. May our lives reflect Your light and draw others closer to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

A Call to Abide in Him

Beloved, hear this truth: the fruit of the Spirit is not born from our striving, but from our surrender. As branches cannot bear fruit apart from the vine, so we cannot produce this fruit apart from Christ. Jesus declared, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing” (John 15:5 AMP).

It is God who brings forth the fruit—not by our strength or willpower, but through our obedience, abiding, and dependence on Him. Let us lay aside our pride and self-reliance and press deeper into His presence. Daily, we must surrender our hearts to His pruning, trusting that His hand is kind and His purpose is good.

Do not be discouraged if the fruit seems slow to appear, for the Gardener knows the seasons. Remain steadfast in your pursuit of Him, for the closer you walk with God, the more His Spirit will overflow through you. Abide, surrender, and press into Him anew each day, that His life may flow freely and His fruit may flourish in you.

Beloved, remain in Him, for He is faithful, and He will complete the work He has begun in you.

See Also