FREEDOM40 - 40-Day Men’s Challenge to Live in FreedomSample

DAY 13

REFLECT + FOCUS

Jesus said “you will know a tree by its fruit.” (Matthew 7:16)

In other words, you will know a follower of Christ because they have the fruit of the Holy Spirit visible in their lives.

Now, none of us are perfect - and we will still have days when we feel very fruitless.

But if we remain in Christ we will be constantly growing and producing the “fruit of the Spirit” and that fruit should be an internal reality in our hearts and lives when no one else is looking, as well as be visible to the people around us.

Paul lays out the fruit of the Spirit in very clear terms:

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

It’s important to remember they are fruit - welling up from our inner spirit - as a result of being filled and remaining in the Holy Spirit.

For example, we don’t pray “God, please give me patience!” as much as we say “God, thank-you for Your patience living in me. Now please help me manifest patience and remain in it.”

SHOUT

As you declare each of the fruits of the Spirit - picture them like seeds in your inner man, wanting to grow up, and become visible, tangible words, attitudes and actions in our lives. Each of these seeds is already in you!

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
If we live by the Spirit we keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25

DISCOVERY BIBLE

Discover God’s heart as you read the passage today from John 14:11-20

What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.