Real goodness is not about impressing others or checking off religious boxes, but about allowing the Holy Spirit to produce God’s character within you. When goodness is Spirit-produced, it becomes a natural part of who you are, not just something you do for show. This kind of goodness is consistent, costly, and Christlike, overflowing from your life into the world around you, regardless of who is watching. Instead of striving to look good, focus on being good by making space for the Spirit to work in your heart, so that your actions reflect God’s nature in every circumstance. [47:40]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to perform goodness for others rather than letting the Holy Spirit produce genuine goodness in you, and how can you invite the Spirit to transform that area this week?
You are not striving to become good enough for God; you are already His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He has prepared in advance for you. The Spirit’s role is to fill you with goodness from the inside out, making you ready and willing to walk in the good works God has set before you. This goodness is not legalistic, performance-based, or transactional, but is consistent and overflows into every area of your life, reflecting the character of Jesus. Trust that God has already equipped you for the good He calls you to do, and step into those opportunities with confidence. [52:56]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Reflection: What is one good work or opportunity God has placed before you recently, and how can you step into it with the confidence that you are already equipped by Him?
The purpose of your good deeds is not to draw attention to yourself, but to point others to the goodness of God. You cannot shine a light you do not have; true goodness must be grown by the Spirit within you before it can flow out to others. When your actions are rooted in God’s character, people will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven, not you. Focus on cultivating a heart that seeks to honor God in both public and private, so that your life becomes a testimony to His transforming power. [01:00:38]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you had the chance to do good—did your actions point others to God, or to yourself? How can you intentionally shift the focus to God’s glory in your next opportunity?
The difference between doing good and being good is found in your character when no one is watching. Spirit-produced goodness is consistent, showing up in the small, unseen moments as much as in the public ones. Practicing integrity in the little things—when it’s inconvenient, costly, or unnoticed—builds the kind of character that stands firm when bigger challenges arise. Ask yourself where there is a gap between your public persona and your private actions, and invite the Holy Spirit to close that gap so that you become the same person in every setting. [01:07:40]
Proverbs 11:3 (ESV)
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
Reflection: What is one small, unseen area of your life where you can practice integrity today, even if no one else will ever know?
Self-examination is essential for spiritual growth—regularly ask yourself where you are doing good when no one is watching, and where there is a gap between your public performance and your private character. Invite the Holy Spirit to produce real goodness in the areas where you struggle, and seek out a trusted friend or mentor to hold you accountable. By being honest with yourself and others, you allow God to transform you from the inside out, so that your life radiates His goodness to everyone around you. [01:13:22]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Reflection: Who is one trusted person you can invite to help hold you accountable in an area where your private character needs to grow, and what first step can you take to open up to them this week?
Today’s focus is on the fruit of the Spirit—specifically, the quality of goodness. In a world where most people believe themselves to be “good” and where virtue signaling is rampant, it’s easy to confuse performative acts with genuine character. Yet, true goodness is not about impressing others or curating a flawless image; it’s about the Holy Spirit producing God’s character within us, so that integrity becomes our very nature, not just a mask we wear. Goodness, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, is not a checklist or a performance, but a deep, Spirit-driven transformation that makes us consistent in public and private, willing to do what is right even when it’s costly or unseen.
The culture around us often offers a counterfeit goodness—one that is audience-dependent, selective, and exhausting to maintain. We see this in social media personas, public acts of charity, and even in church culture, where religious performance and comparative morality can take the place of authentic transformation. But the biblical vision is radically different. God’s goodness is His essential character, and when the Spirit fills us, that same goodness overflows from our lives. We are not called to manufacture goodness by sheer willpower, but to make space for the Spirit to work, trusting that God will produce His fruit in us.
This means examining the gap between our public image and our private reality. Are we the same person when no one is watching? Do we do good only when it benefits us or when others will notice? The Spirit’s goodness is consistent, costly, Christlike, and overflowing. It’s not about reputation, but about character. Small, unseen acts of integrity—like doing the right thing at work when no one is watching—train us for greater faithfulness when bigger challenges come. The call is to self-examination, honest prayer, and accountability, so that our lives reflect God’s goodness in every sphere, not for our own glory, but so that others may see and glorify our Father in heaven.
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) — > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) — > For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV) — > In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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