Fruit of the Spirit – Refining [Spiritual Growth]

Do you like gifts? Have you ever questioned a gift you were freely given? What about a time when you received something you really didn’t want? Or, how about that gift you longed for before it came to fruition? What happened to all the gifts you have ever obtained? Who did these presents have the greatest impact upon?

Scot McKnight, author of Open to the Spirit, talks about a different type of present in his chapter entitled Open Yourself to a New Orientation in Life. He refers to a “spirit-prompted gift” as an endowment given to Christians in order to serve others, not themselves. (Think about John 10:27, Matthew 22:37-38, and Mark 12:31.) He goes on to explain that every gift comes directly from the same source, God, we may be given more than one, and the gift is designed as a contribution to the Body of Christ.

I love how the Lord not only created us for a purpose but grants each of us a calling. Then He equips us with special gifts which the Spirit distributes. It is all perfectly planned to see His work through to completion for the timeframe in which we were placed on earth. McKnight takes it even further by explaining God’s vision-a beautiful picture of each member using his/her gifts appropriately to “bring the church into a unity of worship and fellowship (the way of Christ)”. Therefore, every member is important! The puzzle is not complete without all the pieces present.

Do you wonder what “spirit-prompted gifts” you have been granted? Have you ever taken an assessment to help you determine? There are all types of tests available. Just be cautious and mindful that spiritual gifts are directly from God and to be used for God. Try not to get caught up in the gift itself and remember it is not about you-it is all about advancing the Lord’s kingdom.

McKnight says it best in his writing, “When we all exercise our Spirit-prompted gifts, we are drawn out of ourselves and toward one another.”

My favorite part of the chapter was when the writer states that our gifts are best managed when we do so through the use of the Spirit’s fruits. What fantastic advice. So, may we each be encouraged to use our spiritual gifts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and goodness.

Can you imagine the results of fulfilling your purpose according to His calling by utilizing your spiritual gifts through incorporating the fruits of the Spirit? I accept the challenge.

McKnight, S. (2018). Open to the Spirit. New York: WaterBrook.

Do you have a new car? I am blessed to experience driving newer vehicles due to my job. The rental car agency has outstanding service and quite the variety of vehicles. I am always intrigued by what I might drive from week to week. Most of the vehicles have bells and whistles that my trusty, paid for ride lacks. Yes, occasionally a manual would come in handy. (Seriously, who puts the gas tank release on the door panel?)

Recently, I have found myself in Nissans. Each one has proven to be a smooth ride with a roomy interior. The heated seats have definitely been an added plus on those chilly mornings when I leave before the rooster crows. Most have had the ability to control the speed and distance on the highway with respect to the vehicle ahead of me. But let’s talk about the lane departure assistance.

The lane departure warning does provide an alert if the vehicle leaves the traveling lane. The steering wheel vibrates, an audio alert occurs, and a visual appears at the slightest detection of crossing over your traveling lane. What a super feature when you aren’t driving in construction zones. After several hours of the feature, I truly wanted to disengage it.

This experience brought to mind Galatians 5. Paul highly encourages us to stay in the right lane when walking out our freedom. It is a battle to keep from crossing over into the sinful nature lane of life. The struggle is real for each of us. Galatians 5:24 says that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Denying the acts of our sinful nature requires devoted, intentional living.

Galatians 5:25 reminds us that the Holy Spirit is in us guiding our lives but we have to stay in the same traveling lane as the Spirit. This is how we find life in the Spirit, a gift from God just like freedom in Christ Jesus. We have to rely on the Spirit to define our traveling lane and speed. It requires discipline and attentiveness to his alerts.

For me personally, I cannot fulfill God’s will without living by the Spirit. I rely on the Holy Spirit to work in me and through me to exhibit pleasing fruit. It is through the mighty power of the Spirit that I have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When I try to live life my way and revert to my sinful nature, I find myself off track and definitely in danger of destruction.

I cannot disengage the lane departure warning the Holy Spirit gives me. I must stay in tune to the sound of his voice, “Stay in the right lane!” What about you?

Tag: Fruit of the Spirit

“Spirit-Prompted Gifts”

Stay in the right lane