I have been sitting on this for a couple of weeks now. Not knowing how to approach it. But I guess given the title this is the week to talk about it! Being led by the Spirit. A common thing in my life right now, as you all know. The whole concept of not moving unless He speaks. Truly being led by His thoughts, actions, words etc. I have found this to be very tricky but yet extremely rewarding, like reaching into a cookie jar and finding that one cookie with the most chocolate chips in it! Well, it's way more amazing than that, but you get my point.
The Holy Spirit has been talking to me about not only what it means to be led by the Spirit but also what being led by the Spirit should be producing in my life.
Galatians 5:22-25, " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us us keep in step with the Spirit."
So, this scripture has been reeling in my mind for these last couple of weeks. I have been questioning, okay, am I really walking in step with the Spirit of God? How much have I really matured in this area? Well here's my grid. This is the scripture that helps me gauge where I am truly at in this area. Am I producing the fruit that should be produced by being led by the Spirit of God, by walking in step with Him? Let's break it down...take a little test per say...
Love-to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection
I can say this particular fruit is fairly easy for me to walk in, especially for those who are close to me. God has definitely matured me in my love for those that are not close to me, if you read my last blog, you can see evidence of that.
Joy-a state of happiness or felicity(bliss)
I know for sure that this is a fruit that is being produced in my life! After last year and all it's madness and all things that are not joyful, I can say I have taken having joy to a whole new level lol! Life is to short to not try to find joy in everything that is around me.
Peace-untroubled;tranquil; content
Okay, now this one is a little harder because to stay in this state and produce this fruit, I have to keep Philippians 4:6-7 right in front of me everyday. But when I do submit to this word, then peace is produced.
Patience-quiet, steady perseverance, even tempered care; diligence
I have always said this has never been a strong attribute of mine, but in reading this definition, I have to say that most of it I can confidently say I am walking it out. In order to be where I am physically, spiritually and emotionally these days, I have had to live out this definition every moment.
Kindness-friendly feeling; liking
Um, still working on this one. I know, that sounds awful. I am a naturally friendly person and I can love everybody, but I am really having to work on the whole liking part :-)
Goodness-moral excellence; virtue
Well, I'd be lying if I said I was excellent at anything because that would require some level of perfection that I cannot claim to have in any area of my life. However, when I am submitted to the Holy Spirit, I walk in excellence and virtue. So I guess the maturity here is that I have this quality because of my willingness to submit.
Faithfulness-reliable, trusted, or believed.
With the risk of sounding prideful, this is a fruit that I believe I have successfully learned to walk out.
Gentleness-kindly; amiable
I'm kind, and mostly amiable ;-)
Self-control-control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings, etc.
Okay, now this is really the one that God has been talking to me about big time. It's not like I am walking around beating people up or anything. But I am an emotional person, if you haven't noticed, well at least internally and when things are stirring in me it's hard for me to control what comes out of my mouth sometimes. I will say, because of the Holy Spirit and the Word, it has gotten easier to control those opinions and say what He wants, not speak out of my emotions or my feelings, but more out of what is truth or fact. Now, physically, especially this time of year, self-control in the area of eating, at least the very little that I can eat, I have felt so convicted! Wanting sweets and all the things that I know reek havoc on my body...God has been working with me on this. I have to be able to control myself in all areas if I am being led by Him. This is sooooo hard!
Okay so my grade on this test...well it's certainly not an A+ but I am working on it! I want to produce the fruits of being led by the Spirit otherwise how do I know that I am really being led by Him in every area of my life. I know that we will always fall short, so by no means am I putting that pressure on myself, however, I will strive to do my best.
It's tricky walking by the Spirit because we are made of flesh and we live in a fleshy world. But when we realize that we have authority over this world and over our flesh and the ability to submit to the Spirit of God it's most assuredly an incredible treat and honor to walk with Jesus, Himself and all that He is.
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