22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Linda Vu

Galatians 5:22-26 reminds me of the kind of life God desires for His children—a life shaped by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities reflect the character of Christ, and they challenge me to look inward and ask whether my daily life truly reflects Him.

As a parent of two cheeky boys, there are moments when I find it so easy to act out of frustration and impatience. But this passage encourages me to pause and let the Holy Spirit guide my responses—to seek Christ’s help to respond with gentleness instead of anger, patience instead of frustration, and love instead of judgment.

Verse 24 challenges me deeply: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” It’s a daily surrender, choosing God’s ways over my own desires. Each time I surrender a selfish thought or action to Christ, I experience more of His peace and His Spirit working in me.

Paul calls us to “walk in step with the Spirit.” This is an ongoing process of humility and obedience. It means me depending on God and listening to him to transform my heart with His will.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.