{"id":4697,"date":"2021-10-30T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-30T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shop.honestreflections.net\/?p=4697"},"modified":"2021-10-11T06:21:23","modified_gmt":"2021-10-11T11:21:23","slug":"how-producing-good-fruit-will-make-you-rely-on-the-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/2021\/10\/30\/how-producing-good-fruit-will-make-you-rely-on-the-spirit\/","title":{"rendered":"How Producing Good Fruit Will Make You Rely on the Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2 minute read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Daily Reading: <\/strong>Ezekiel 13-15 GW<\/a>; Galatians 5 GW<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Fresh fruit depends on God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allowing God\u2019s Spirit to work within us will help us produce good fruit.  When we let God take control, He works inside our hearts.  We can\u2019t grow spiritual fruit without God\u2019s help. Our human nature has a different plan: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things.\u201d (<\/em>Galatians 5:19-21 GW<\/em><\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep, left to our own devices, we get into trouble.  Personal experience knows this truth too well; allowing God to lead changes things.  We can overcome our sinful nature with the Father\u2019s mighty power.  No way can we exhibit the fruits of the Spirit without the Spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Develop sensitivity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years ago, at Christmas, God inspired me.  Studying the fruits of the Spirit, I created a fun activity to get through the holidays.  Writing out each fruit on paper, I made cute little bags for them.  Then I gave the festive pouches to each of my friends, with simple instructions.  Each day during the holiday season, we drew a fruit from the bag.  Throughout our day, we were to practice that particular fruit.  Over the month-long project, we had the opportunity to actively engage with each fruit, relying on God\u2019s Spirit to help us in our efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in all things, we have a choice.  Choosing to focus on the fruit of the Spirit means denying our selfish desires.  One can\u2019t practice self-control and drunkenness at the same time.  God\u2019s Spirit guides us in the opposite direction of our sinful nature.  Letting God take the wheel is worthwhile.  No one ever regretted not drinking alcohol, but many people regret overindulging, including me.  I\u2019d rather wake up full of God\u2019s Spirit than a hangover from the night before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let God\u2019s Spirit lead you today.  Become sensitive to His promptings.  Produce good fruit by relying on God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Check out my new release on Amazon<\/a>. Learn how I used prayer to control my emotions and develop healthier relationships in my life. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lord, thank You for Your Spirit within us.  Forgive us for ignoring Your promptings and following our selfish desires.  Today, help us become more sensitive.  Let us produce good fruit that will uplift and encourage others.  As we learn to rely on Your Spirit more, bless our efforts.  IJNIP.  Amen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question for reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What fruit of the Spirit do you want to focus on today?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2 minute read. Daily Reading: Ezekiel 13-15 GW; Galatians 5 GW  Fresh fruit depends on God. Allowing God\u2019s Spirit to work within us will help us produce good fruit.  When we let God take control, He works inside our hearts.  We can\u2019t grow spiritual fruit without God\u2019s help. Our human nature has a different plan: … Continue reading How Producing Good Fruit Will Make You Rely on the Spirit<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","without-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4697"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4697\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4700,"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4697\/revisions\/4700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}