Every believer faces a daily battle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. This struggle is not a sign of failure but a reality that began with Adam and Eve’s choice in the garden, and it continues to affect every person today. The good news is that through Christ, we are called to freedom—not to indulge our flesh, but to serve one another in love and to walk by the Spirit. When we choose to walk by the Spirit, we resist the pull of our old nature and begin to bear fruit that brings life to ourselves and those around us. [34:51]
Galatians 5:13-25 (ESV)
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Reflection: What is one area where you feel the pull of your flesh most strongly, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you walk differently today?
True self-control is not about willpower or self-help strategies, but about surrendering control to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to guide your steps. Our flesh is impulsive and never fully satisfied, but when we walk hand in hand with God, He protects us from dangers we may not even see. Just as a loving parent holds a child’s hand to keep them safe, God desires to lead us, but we must be willing to submit and trust His direction, even when it goes against our impulses. [42:07]
Romans 8:13 (ESV)
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Reflection: Where do you need to let go of control and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your path instead of relying on your own strength?
The fruit of the Spirit in your life is not just for you—it’s for those around you. Every day, your family, coworkers, and even strangers “taste” the fruit you produce through your words, actions, and attitudes. Just as Adam and Eve’s choice affected all of humanity, the way you live impacts those in your sphere of influence. Take inventory: are you feeding others with love, faithfulness, and self-control, or are you offering something less life-giving? [51:36]
Matthew 7:16-20 (ESV)
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Reflection: Think of one person who regularly “tastes” the fruit of your life—what are you feeding them, and how can you be more intentional to offer the fruit of the Spirit?
Spiritual growth requires discipline and the willingness to be held accountable by others. Like an athlete who trains and submits to coaching, we need people in our lives who will challenge, correct, and sharpen us—even when it’s uncomfortable. True discipleship is not just about learning but about being willing to be disciplined, confessing our struggles, and allowing others to help us walk in righteousness. [01:00:31]
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Reflection: Who in your life can lovingly hold you accountable, and what is one step you can take this week to invite their input or correction?
It’s often the little compromises—the thoughts we entertain, the small actions we excuse—that open the door to much bigger issues down the road. What seems insignificant in the moment can have far-reaching effects on our lives and the lives of those around us. God calls us to take self-inventory, to invite Him to examine our hearts, and to cut off anything that does not align with His Word, trusting that walking by the Spirit leads to life and wholeness. [01:05:43]
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: What is one “small” area of compromise in your life that you need to bring into the light and surrender to God today?
Today’s focus is on the deep and often challenging fruits of the Spirit: faithfulness and self-control. These are not just virtues to admire from afar, but essential qualities that shape every aspect of our lives, from our families to our workplaces, and even in the quiet moments when no one is watching. The journey of following Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily walk—a constant tension between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. From the very beginning, humanity has struggled with this tension, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve, whose decision to eat the forbidden fruit set in motion a battle within every human heart.
The call is to recognize that the flesh and the Spirit are in opposition. The world tells us to do what feels good, but God calls us to something higher: holiness over happiness. True freedom is not found in indulging every desire, but in surrendering control to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide our steps. Self-control is not about willpower alone; it’s about giving up control and letting God lead, especially in the small, everyday choices that shape our character and witness.
Family life provides a vivid illustration of this struggle. Children, in their impulsivity, mirror our own spiritual immaturity. Just as a loving parent guides a child across a busy street, God desires to walk hand-in-hand with us, protecting us from dangers we cannot see. The fruit of the Spirit is not produced by our own effort, but by staying connected to the Spirit, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.
The evidence of our lives—what others “taste” from our actions and attitudes—matters deeply. Are we feeding those around us with the fruit of the Spirit, or are we leaving behind evidence of the flesh? Our faithfulness and self-control impact not just ourselves, but everyone we encounter. Accountability and community are vital; we need others to sharpen us, challenge us, and help us stay on course. Small compromises can lead to significant consequences, so we must continually invite the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts, surrendering every area to His lordship. In doing so, we become living orchards of grace, offering life and hope to a world in need.
The truth is, if we don't put to death the deeds of the body, either we put them to death or it would put us in a bad place, right? It's either or. And so this scripture reminds me that the fruit of self -control is when you, I, decide to put to death the desires of the flesh. And the only way to do that is to do it by the Spirit. No self -help book is going to help you. No 30 -second reel of how to organize the kitchen is going to, like, no, no tick -tock. It's by the Spirit of God walking with Him hand in hand.
[00:43:01]
(32 seconds)
#SpiritLedSelfControl
We don't go by our feelings. We walk by faith, not by sight. Come on, let's keep walking. Let's keep walking. I know it's busy right now. I know right now that there's danger all around. There's sickness. There's threats of danger. But walk with me, and I will protect you. I will carry you through. The fruit of the Spirit doesn't come from my production. It comes from him. It's the proof of the Spirit working in your life.
[00:48:27]
(25 seconds)
#WalkByFaith
The fruit of the spirit is not for you. The spirit is for you, but the fruit that he produces through you is not for you. It's for others to taste and see the Holy Spirit at work within you. A tree doesn't eat its own fruit, nor do you eat your own fruit. What are you feeding those around you? What type of fruit are they picking off the tree of your life?
[00:50:28]
(24 seconds)
#FruitForOthers
People are eating off of our life. And it's a sobering reminder. It's a sobering thought to know that what I do just doesn't affect me. It doesn't affect you. It affects everyone around us. Your faithfulness and self -control affects everyone.
[00:52:42]
(17 seconds)
#ImpactOfFaithfulness
Accountability feels like an attack when you're not ready to accept the responsibility of your actions. Ouch. Right? And there's a phrase here that I think just came up. We're going to show it again. Everyone wants to be discipled, but nobody likes to be disciplined.
[01:01:02]
(16 seconds)
#DisciplineOverComfort
``Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go, and keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay. And having people in your life that can shake you, that can challenge you, and bring it to the light of Jesus so your family can move forward, you can move forward, and be the man or the woman of God he's called you to be.
[01:02:50]
(27 seconds)
#LightOverSin
It's the little compromises when I don't feel like doing that, or I don't want to do this. The little things that lead to the big things. Small, big doors swing on little, or small hinges. Let me say that again. Big doors swing on small hinges.
[01:03:30]
(15 seconds)
#SmallHingesBigDoors
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