FRUIT
Wayne Wilson
Today's Scripture: “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.” Galatians 5:16, ESV
Theme: There are different kinds of spiritual fruit.
DIFFERENT STYLES
From the earlier scenes of training in the different gyms, it is obvious that Tommy and Brendan have developed distinctive styles as MMA (Mixed Martial Art) fighters. Brendan’s comes from the finesse and patience of wrestling while Tommy’s skill comes from the aggression and power of boxing. Braden’s going to win a fight by pinning you. Tommy is going to knock you out!
We can see the rage unleashed by Tommy from the very first sparing matchup in the gym where he trained as he knocks out a contending fighter. His power comes from rage and when he unleashes it, someone is going to get hurt. Rage, anger, aggression have become a way of life for Tommy, and it has other “fruit” in his life. The pills Pops makes him stop taking have been the only way he can sleep or slow his angry mind. He has no family, and he has isolated himself from all friends.
DIFFERENT MOTIVATIONS
Brendan has built a life around commitment. He has become a father, has a family, and is a teacher whom students respect and appreciate. He certainly has his struggles and his weaknesses, but Brendan’s “fruit” is different. The gym he trains in focuses on a different but parallel aspect of Martial Arts. This gym teaches the “Sol”-ful elements of the arts. We hear his trainer telling him to breathe, to be patient, and to be respectful. This also becomes a way of life for Brendan and has “fruit” as well.
WALK IN THE SPIRIT
We can exhibit the “style” of Jesus. When we walk in His Spirit, we will have the fruit of the Spirit as we live under His direction and empowerment. As we train ourselves in His spiritual disciplines, we mature in those disciplines and are more proficient in them. “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 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. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:16-17, 22-26, ESV).
Make it Personal: If we focus daily on the desires of the human ego, then there will be “fruit,” effects of those choices. If we focus daily on the ways of the Spirit and live from our soul, not from the ego, there will also be “fruit.” This is not a black or white, all or nothing choice, but a constant readjusting and refocusing. To “walk in the Spirit” is an ongoing effort or practice. I find it immensely helpful to monitor the “fruit” I am producing to help me monitor my course.
Pray: Lord, open my eyes so that I may see the fruit my life is producing. Guide me in keeping in step with You, God. Help me to see when I am becoming conceited and need to adjust my focus back to You. Amen.
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:21; Romans 7:4; Ephesians 2:3
Weekly Memory Verse: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 (ESV)