A Daily Devotion for Wednesday, March 18
- ontrakk
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Galatians 5:16-26
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: 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. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
I had to look up the word ‘forbearance’ this morning, because I wasn’t really sure what it meant. Is it the same as forgiveness? Patience? Tolerance? Self control? It seems that the biblical use of the word is to mean all of these things. [A more contemporary meaning is: ‘a refraining from the enforcement of something (such as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due.’] I like the secondary aspect of the action: if we are able to resist the urge to react, we give the other person time to consider, and we give up the control to God. We owe each other forbearance, with no strings attached.
Holy Lord, help me to learn and earn the skill of forbearance, as it is truly a fruit of your Holy Spirit. Help me to be patient, forgiving and tolerant of others. Amen
Becky, transforming
Before posting today’s reflection, I will share a link to an essay I read this morning that is apropos to our discussion last night on being still:
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/perspectives-on-lent/articles/lent-and-the-importance-of-being-still/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Living%20Lent%20Daily%3A%20Wednesday%20of%20the%20Fourth%20Week%20of%20Lent&utm_campaign=living-lent-daily-yoc26-week4-10127-yoc-mar18
Galatians 5:16-26
The Upper Room contributor this morning used a gardening metaphor that I found very relatable. Weeds in the garden are a great representation of sin in our lives: numerous, recurrent, tenacious, a risk to healthy fruit, requiring constant vigilance. I have found that weeding my spiritual garden is a daily task. I can barely stay ahead of the weeds, but I won’t stop trying. My goal is the have fruit of the Spirit that is as healthy as the vegetables and flowers that I work hard to share with others…