The Fruit of the Spirit is Not a Coconut

April 30, 2018

DAILY READING

Psalm 80
Galatians 5:16-26
This weekend’s reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

FIELD NOTES

Today’s reading is familiar to many of us. The “Fruit of the Spirit” is something we see embroidered on tea towels or written in fancy calligraphy on posters. There’s even a children’s song that goes, “The fruit of the spirit is not a coconut (or an apple, or a orange) — the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The fruit of the Spirit may be a familiar concept, but I wonder, how evident is this fruit in my own life?

I sincerely desire to have these characteristics in my life. Who doesn’t want their life to be characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, and all the rest? Yet I often struggle to know how to develop these traits.

Our passage gives us the answer to this struggle — these traits are the fruit of living in connection with God’s Spirit and allowing the Spirit to flow through us like life-giving sap flows through the branches of a fruit tree. We don’t have to produce these virtues by our own efforts; they are the natural result of trusting God and allowing God to control our lives. We can’t force ourselves into having patience, or feeling joyful, or experiencing peace. But we can allow God to grow this fruit in our lives as a result of living in union with him.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Which of these traits do you long for most?
• How can you develop more dependence upon and trust in God in your daily life?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Ask your parents or other trusted adult to teach you the song “The Fruit of the Spirit.” (Adults — this song is available on numerous You Tube channels.)
• Which of these traits would you like to have most in your life?

PRAYER GUIDE 

Loving Father, thank you for allowing the Spirit to grow your delicious fruit in our lives when we seek you and learn to depend on you day by day. Amen.