Paul explains in Galatians what it truly means to live and walk by the Spirit, offering a clear picture of the kind of life Christians are called to lead. Galatians 5:22–23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

At first, these descriptions may seem fairly straightforward. However, when we reflect more deeply, we realize that these attributes can often be difficult to live out. It isn’t always easy to love our neighbor. Choosing peace over revenge can feel unnatural. And practicing self-control can be a challenge in many areas of life.

We won’t always get it right. But the places where we fall short are opportunities for growth—chances to ask God for help and allow Him to work in us. We can invite Him to prune us, cutting away the parts of our lives that don’t bear good fruit, so that we can become more like Christ and reflect His Spirit more fully.

This idea is illustrated in John 15:1–2, where Jesus says: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Be mindful of the fruit you are producing. Are there certain attributes Paul highlights that you need to grow in? That’s okay—no one is perfect. Ask God to help you. Continue to let Him shape and refine you, so that you can walk and live in the Spirit as we are called to do.

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