Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Galatians 5:16-26
Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been commanded to develop the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). But there is a Christian fruit-stealer at work in the world today, and his name is Satan. He hates it when the fruit of God's righteousness begins to grow in our spiritual lives and becomes evident to those around us. He uses all of his trickery to keep that from happening. And he does that by tempting us to sin by making us argue, doubt God, and compromise our faith in the face of debate.
Sometimes Satans desperate attempt to thwart Gods shaping in our lives actually succeeds. Before we are even aware of it, our love is replaced by hate, our joy by anxiety, our peace by anger, our patience by impatience, and so on. Satan steals into our lives and keeps us from being fruitful for the Lord. He succeeds because we have not put on the full armor of God, which is our protection from his trickery (Ephesians 6). By God's strength we can stand against the devil and depend on Christ through prayer and the study and meditation of His Word.
Are you seeing resistance as you advance the Gospel at home, work, or school? Does there seem to be a push against your Christ-like efforts in the community in which you live? If so, it is probably the work of Satan trying to keep out the workers of Christ's kingdom. So, be diligent and watchful, put on the armor of God, and you won't be victimized by Satan.
Faith Lesson: "Satan does all he can to reduce your spiritual harvest." -- Eric Martin, my spiritual mentor
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: Galatians 5:16-26
Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been commanded to develop the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). But there is a Christian fruit-stealer at work in the world today, and his name is Satan. He hates it when the fruit of God's righteousness begins to grow in our spiritual lives and becomes evident to those around us. He uses all of his trickery to keep that from happening. And he does that by tempting us to sin by making us argue, doubt God, and compromise our faith in the face of debate.
Sometimes Satans desperate attempt to thwart Gods shaping in our lives actually succeeds. Before we are even aware of it, our love is replaced by hate, our joy by anxiety, our peace by anger, our patience by impatience, and so on. Satan steals into our lives and keeps us from being fruitful for the Lord. He succeeds because we have not put on the full armor of God, which is our protection from his trickery (Ephesians 6). By God's strength we can stand against the devil and depend on Christ through prayer and the study and meditation of His Word.
Are you seeing resistance as you advance the Gospel at home, work, or school? Does there seem to be a push against your Christ-like efforts in the community in which you live? If so, it is probably the work of Satan trying to keep out the workers of Christ's kingdom. So, be diligent and watchful, put on the armor of God, and you won't be victimized by Satan.
Faith Lesson: "Satan does all he can to reduce your spiritual harvest." -- Eric Martin, my spiritual mentor
In Christ,
Darin Smith
