To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7, ESV) The last two devotionals have focused on spiritual fruit and gifts. Let me conclude this mini-devotional series by discussing a fascinating truth about the relationship between spiritual fruit and gifts. Spiritual fruit has to do with our character, Read More
Fruit of the Spirit
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1, KJV) There are two important dimensions of our Christian life: daily Christian living and service. The fruit of the Spirit has to do with our day-to-day living, Read More
Two Attitudes that God Really Likes
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:3–4, ESV) The Read More
Fruit Meet for Repentance
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance (Matthew 3:8, KJV) John the Baptist exhorted his converts to “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”. His baptism was a baptism of repentance, which essentially means a change of mind. For example, someone might have fixed his or her mind to do what God has commanded us Read More
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith… (Galatians 5:22, KJV) The scriptures use figurative language especially metaphors extensively. The basic objective of a metaphor is to use something physical which we all know and can relate with to teach spiritual things which are abstract and sometimes challenging to Read More
The Imperishable Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit
But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:4, ESV) We are acquainted with physical beauty, as well as material riches. However, there is spiritual beauty just as there are spiritual riches. The Read More
Keeping a Check on Emotional Incontinency
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency (1 Corinthians 7:5 KJV) The Apostle Paul gives us an intriguing instruction in the verse above while teaching on marriage Read More
Whoever is Slow to Anger Has Great Understanding
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly (Prov. 14:29 ESV) King Solomon gives us another piece of wise counsel for daily living. He says the person who is slow to become angry has great understanding, but those who are quick-tempered, hasty to get angry or Read More