The Essential Jesus – Weekly Bible Readings Fruit of the Spirit Bible Readings Galatians 5:19-26 — Paul warns against the desires of the flesh and teaches the fruit of the Spirit Colossians 3:5-17 — Again, Paul gives a list of spiritual fruits when we walk in Christ Matthew 7:15-20 — A tree is known by its fruit Luke 6:43 — A tree and its fruit Matthew 5:1-10 — The Beatitudes John 15:1-17 — Jesus is the true vine; only in Jesus do our lives bear fruit that will last Reflection The Fruit of the Spirit is an essential teaching for me because it serves two very distinct, but critical purposes in our Christian life. A list of characteristics that we strive to live into. A tool for discernment between true and false teachings. As a list of virtues, I hold these before me regularly. During nighttime prayer, I ofter pray the Examen, and these spiritual fruits help me reflect, repent, and reorient myself for a new day. We invite God to forgive those times we fall back into the hurtful ways of the world, and to grow these fruits in us every day. They help guide us as we seek to become more and more like Christ. The fruit our lives bear is also an important tool of spiritual discernment. In Jesus’ time, there were many different religious factions, teachings, and perspectives. Some were small differences (what Martin Luther would call, “adiaphora.” Things that are not essential. But some of the different teachings were far from God’s heart, and even harmful for the people. Some had colluded with Rome to amass their own power, exploiting the people of God and claiming it was in God’s name. Some taught that God wanted the people to take up violent resistance against Roman soldiers, claiming this to be God’s will. How can you who to trust? This is why Jesus says in Matt 7 (and Luke 6) to beware of false teachings. You will know a tree by it’s fruit. Is the fruit of ones life love? Joy? Peace? Kindness? Gentleness? Then the Spirit is present. Is the fruit of one’s life slander? Malice? Anger? Jealousy? Retribution? These are not of the Spirit. Weekly Challenge: Memorize the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Pay attention to your actions, thoughts, and words. Notice where the fruit of the Spirit is present or where bad fruit is present. Reflect each day and ask God to show you small ways you can bear good fruit tomorrow. Pay attention to those in the world claiming to be acting in Jesus’ name. Do not be deceived. Notice what fruit is present in their actions and words. Is it good fruit that comes from God? Or something else? My Notes