Heart Barometer – Key Verses – Galatians (NIV)
Heart Barometer – Key Verses – Galatians (NIV)
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
One of the best. Of course it’s something we teach kids and sing songs about. It starts with "but" because it’s contrasting the previous verse’s list of "acts of the flesh." A top theme to this chapter is the flesh versus the Spirit. We are to grow in the Spirit. We are led to salvation by the Spirit. We aren’t to then use our freedom to indulge in the flesh.
In a way to identify what one is doing, Paul lists the acts of the flesh. It’s easy to identify those acts as they are obvious. But the fruit of the Spirit is in contrast.
The list of the fruit of the Spirit can be diagnostic. There’s only good in doing these things. If these things are present in your actions, that’s good. Lack of these things is a warning.
Similarly, the list can be encouraging. If you want to live a pleasing life to God, aiming for these things is a "no lose" recipe.
So it’s a good checklist and heart barometer to see how you’re living based on your attitude and actions.