What Is Feeding You?

I have a memory of our youngest son when he was four years old. I cannot remember where we were, but somewhere along the way, he saw a decorative display of a big fruit basket. The basket was beautifully decorated and was overflowing with what looked like bright and vibrant fruit.

As we got closer, it was apparent to me that the "fruit" was simply decoration; it was not real fruit. However, my four-year-old son did not see the difference, and before I knew it, he had one of the fake pieces of fruit in his hand and was a bit startled when all he got for his effort was his teeth marks in a piece of decorative plastic.

It was funny then, and I think it is funny now, but I also found a life lesson in this interaction. What may look like something that is good for us may just be the exact opposite.

The Acts of the Flesh

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul goes into great detail to compare and contrast the acts of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit. Much like the fake fruit that my son tried to eat, the works of the flesh look appealing and shout the promises of joy and fulfillment, but like the plastic fruit, they lack any kind of substance.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul doesn't sugarcoat what a life lived in the flesh looks like. Here is the list that he provides:

• sexual immorality

• impurity and debauchery

• idolatry and witchcraft

• hatred & discord

• jealousy

• fits of rage

• selfish ambition

• dissensions

• factions and envy

• drunkenness, orgies, and the like

These aren't just isolated bad choices; they're the natural output of a life disconnected from God. They're what grows when we're trying to satisfy ourselves through our own efforts and what flows out of us when we chase our desires.

Here is what strikes me most about this list: every single one of these things falsely promises freedom and fulfillment. However, what each of them delivers is bondage and unfulfillment.

Sexual immorality promises satisfaction but leaves you empty.

Jealousy promises to protect what's yours but steals your peace.

Rage promises to give you control, but controls you instead.

Selfish ambition promises success but isolates you.

The acts of the flesh aren't freedom, they're shackles dressed up to look like liberation.

The Fruit of the Spirit

After he lists the acts of the flesh, Paul gives us the contrast of a life that is ruled by the Holy Spirit; characteristics that he calls fruit, and includes love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Notice that Paul doesn't call these the "acts" of the Spirit. He calls them fruit. That's intentional, and there is a deep and meaningful difference.

You can manufacture acts through effort and willpower. But you can't manufacture fruit. Fruit grows naturally only when the tree is firmly rooted and receives the right nourishment.

Jesus refers to this as abiding when he says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

This is vital because the fruit of the Spirit isn't produced by trying harder or being more disciplined. It's produced by staying connected to Christ.

When we abide in Him, the fruit in our lives grows naturally. Love flows out of us not because we're forcing it but because we're filled with His love. Joy isn't manufactured; it's the overflow of being in relationship with Him.

Two Different Lives

The difference between these two lists is the difference between personal imprisonment and true freedom.

The acts of the flesh require constant effort to maintain and leave you exhausted, always wanting more and empty. It all looks like freedom, but feels like chains.

The fruit of the Spirit, however, grows effortlessly when you're connected to the vine.

It produces genuine freedom. Freedom from having to satisfy yourself, freedom from the exhausting work of "self-improvement", freedom from the lack of fulfillment that comes when you are living for yourself.

What Feeds You?

The question isn't whether you struggle, we all do. The question is: where are you getting your life from?

Are you trying to live a fulfilled life through your own effort, or are you staying connected to the vine and letting the fruit grow naturally?

One leads to exhaustion, the other leads to freedom and abundance.

One requires constant striving, the other requires abiding.

You can't manufacture fruit, no matter how pretty it may look. The only way this will happen is when you stay connected to the vine. The fruit will follow.

Running the race with you,

Carlos

This edition was first published in The Life Design Newsletter on LinkedIn.