Jesus said it like this:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)
Apart from Jesus, becoming a good person who treats others well is impossible. Sure, we may manage kindness or generosity for a while, but when worries, stress, and life’s pressures pile up, our true selves often show.
Trust me, I know this from experience.
💙The Day I Blew It
When our boys were little, I took them outside to play on a beautiful spring afternoon. I planned to let them enjoy the sandbox and swing set while I pulled a few weeds in the flowerbeds.
But first, I carried out the trash… and found the backyard littered with garbage. Kitchen trash. Bathroom trash. Even diaper pail trash. I was furious.
🔷Here’s the backstory:
We were on a very tight budget and didn’t pay for trash pickup. I had asked my husband, Mike, to take the trash to a nearby waste site on his way home from work at the church. But that hadn’t happened. Without a pickup truck, it would’ve been beneficial to take the trash off a few times a week—but that wasn’t how we’d been handling it.
It wasn’t the first time garbage had been scattered across the yard.
So, I grabbed my gloves and a few fresh bags and began cleaning it up while the boys played. And yes, I fumed, I mean prayed, while picking up every nasty bit of it.
At the time, I was studying the Fruit of the Spirit with a dear friend who was new to her Christian faith and a beginner in Bible Study.
I also wanted to learn how to live these truths, not just know them.
I prayed that by the time Mike came home, my heart would be calm and my response godly. I had hours to cool down, cook supper, and prepare to greet him with grace.
💙But don’t be too impressed just yet!
What the Fruit of the Spirit Looks Like in Real Life
Here’s how I like to describe the fruit of the Spirit as it applies to everyday life:
- Love: Selfless care for others that mirrors God’s heart.
- Joy: A Spirit-born gladness not tied to circumstances.
- Peace: Quietness of mind, even when life is hard and prayers seem unanswered.
- Patience: Enduring without complaining or quitting, and is often associated with a sense of peace of mind.
- Kindness: A tender heart that blesses others with integrity and truth.
- Goodness: Moral excellence paired with generosity.
- Faithfulness: Steadfast loyalty to belief in God and His Word that extends into our relationships.
- Gentleness: Strength under control, marked by humility.
- Self-control: Spirit-enabled discipline to choose God’s way over the desires of our flesh.
Abiding in Christ helps us see what needs to change—old mindsets to renew, habits to reshape, and attitudes to bring under the Spirit’s control.
And yes, that includes our tempers.
Trash Day… The Rest of the Story
That afternoon, I put the boys down for a nap, got supper started, and later we went back outside to wait for Mike. He came home smiling, kissed me, and asked about my day. Sweet, right?
But then I opened my mouth.
Let’s just say the fruit of the Spirit didn’t exactly shine in that moment.
I ranted about the trash, my voice rising, my words sharp.
And to top it off, the neighbors were outside to hear it all.
Not my finest Jesus-girl moment. The Spirit inside me was willing, but my flesh was so weak.
>>> You might like to read The Battle Within: Flesh vs. Spirit
Later, I felt deep conviction. I apologized to Mike, who forgave me. I knew God forgave me, too, but I also knew I had a lot more growing to do.
What I Learned About My Spiritual Journey
💙I can try to be a good person, but without Jesus, I’ll fall short every time.
💙Real change happens when we surrender daily to God’s Word and His Spirit.
As Christian women, we must know God’s Word, live it in the everyday moments (even the frustrating ones), and share His grace with others.
Abiding in Jesus is what produces lasting fruit.
When we know we are forgiven, we don’t have to live in condemnation, even when we blow it.
When we seek to live the Fruit of the Spirit, we find ourselves on a spiritual journey with Jesus. Our lives will transform moment by moment, step by step.
Encouragement for Christian Women
The fruit of the Spirit isn’t just for your growth—it’s for the good of others.
Be patient with your spiritual growth; God is still at work in you.
As you grow in love, joy, peace, and the rest of the Spirit’s fruit, you inspire others to seek that same life in Christ.
Call to Action:
Sweet friend, you don’t have to strive alone. The journey of bearing fruit is one of daily abiding in Jesus—learning from His Word, living out His truth, and sharing His love with the world.
If you’re ready to take your next step in knowing, living, and sharing God’s Word, I invite you to reach out to me and let’s start a conversation!
Let’s walk this journey together, rooted in Christ and growing in His grace every day.
