According to Galatians 5:19-21 the works of the flesh are as follows:
Immorality ( the quality of not being in accord with standards of right or good conduct)
Impurity (contaminated) Indecency (inappropriate)
Idolatry (worship of idols)
Sorcery (use of magic)
Enmity (the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something) Strife (angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict)
Jealousy (negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear & anxiety)
Anger (Ill Temper)
Selfishness (stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others
Divisions (dissensions/disagreement that leads to discord)
Party Spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies (opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted)
Envy (desire to have a quality, possession, or other attribute belonging to someone else)
Drunkenness (a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol)
Carousing (drink plentiful amounts of alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way)
According to Galatians 5:22-23, the nine fruit of the Spirit are as follows:
Love
Joy (gladness)
Peace
Patience (an even temper, forbearance, kindness, goodness)
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness (meekness, humility)
Self Control (self-restraint)
This is a clear guide from the word of God regarding things we should search our hearts daily to assure we are not walking contrary to the word of God and that these 9 fruit of the Spirit are being manifested in our daily lives.
I admit working at these things can be challenging but that is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit unto us as our helper. God never asks us to do anything in which He does not properly equip us for.
So, when anger is present, fight for joy, where there is division fight for peace, where there is hatred or jealousy fight for love. For the word of God states that out of all of the commandments the greatest commandment is that we love Christ with our entire being as well as love our neighbor as our self.
So you may ask, which fruit of the Spirit should I work on first? I would recommend love, and the book in the Bible that shows great representation of Christ’s love for us is the Book of John.
Remember, we are in this together, and we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. So, slow down and have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to you on today, then once you hear…OBEY!
