The Works of the Flesh vs. The Fruit of the Spirit

Our lives as followers of Jesus Christ, as God’s believers wouldn’t be complete without being equipped with God’s Word. Having the knowledge of God’s Word is the most basic need a Christian must put effort with because it is part of our responsibility. Without God’s Word, we would have no guide as we take on the path to godly life and a relationship with the Father. Psalm 119:105 says God’s Word “is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

When I first became a radical follower of Jesus Christ, I knew that I wanted to live my life for him. I put every effort to be able to read the Bible starting with the Gospel so that I may be founded and rooted in Christ and in His teachings. But I still had so many questions; questions that are beyond this world since we are already dealing with spiritual things. I had questions about myself like why was I still entangled with unforgiveness, jealousies, insecurities, depressions, etc. despite the fact that I had come to know and follow Jesus Christ. “What am I battling with?” There were so many questions until I continued reading the Word of GOD.

Galatians 5:19-21 says, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

These verses plainly tell you the works of the flesh resulting to such sins. Ignorance of these things and of the Words of God will hinder our growth and walk towards the path to a godly life which is full of God’s promises and hopes for His children.

Now what then are the works of the Spirit? After knowing the works of the flesh, the Holy Spirit could now empower you to walk the path of Christlikeness as you come to know the works of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-26 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

As written in the Scriptures above, you could see that the Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in the lives of the believers. Whenever we do the opposite, we are submitting to our flesh and not walking according to what the Holy Spirit desires for us.

It is very important that you discern and distinguish between the two (flesh and the Holy Spirit) through God’s Word so that you are guided and won’t fall into certain unnecessary entanglements like sins.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit Himself will empower us to walk the Word of God. He is our forever Companion and Guide in this life. We are a generation blessed with the Word of God and living temples for the Spirit of God to dwell in.