Have you ever had a friend that would say something a lot, then you realize you say it too?
Or they talk a certain way, and you start talking that way?
Do you have any friends with positive qualities that you find contagious?
What about negative qualities, or maybe friends who are sad a lot? Do you find that it makes you feel or act negative?
Why do you think this happens?
Have you ever heard the term “fruits of our labor?” What does it mean?
Theres a verse in the Bible that talks about “Fruits of the Spirit.” It isn’t talking about literal fruit. It talks about recognizing something by what it produces.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
What do you think this means?
A lot of times people think God is saying to be full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. He is, but he is also saying more than that.
He is saying that those characteristics are formed in our lives when we stay connected to HIM.
When we choose to surrender our lives to Jesus, the messes we make in our lives can be cleaned up.
We have an opportunity for good stuff to come out of our lives, not just now, but for eternity.
We have an opportunity to live the way God wants us to live.
We won’t be perfect. We’ll mess up often. That’s just a part of being human.
In order to have good stuff come out of our lives, we have to stay connected to Jesus.
When we do, the Holy Spirit will make us more loving, kind, patient, etc.
And when we connect with God, and our lives start to change, people see the fruit…and it looks good. Your life becomes an invitation to learning more about our loving God.