Works of the Flesh Vs. Fruit of the Spirit

The Bus Shop has an interesting series in its devotional section, on ways to identify the works of the flesh vs. the fruits of the spirit. (See the entries for March 6 and March 13, 2009.) Gaining an understanding of these issues helps Christians to ensure they are aligned with God.

The author takes the text on the works of the flesh from Galatians 5:19-21. These works are adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murder, drunkenness and reveling. These are said to be negative behaviors that are works of the flesh because they are solely created by man.

The author lists the fruit of the spirit as gifts that come from the Holy Spirit. These are listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.

One sentence sums up nicely the internal struggle we face as Christians: "The problem of the Christian life is based on the fact that so long as the Christian lives in this world he is, so to speak, two trees: the old tree of the flesh and the new tree of the divine nature implanted by the new birth. The challenge is keeping barren the old tree and making fruitful the new tree." A challenge is left for the reader to contemplate which traits, positive or negative, he or she possesses.

I thought this was a great exercise. I would encourage you to read the series and consider the challenge. (Additionally, check out the great music for sale at the main site!) I should be carrying both lists with me to read on the regular... :o)