By Darin Avery

If you’re anything like me, walking past a tray of freshly sliced fruit and not helping yourself to some of it is all but impossible. I love fruit, especially when I don’t have to wash it, peel it, or slice it. But when fruit is out of sight it’s much easier to go for the chips and cookies. When it comes to the Christian life, walking by the Spirit of grace and living for the desires of the flesh is a battle very similar to choosing fruit over junk food.

As 2014 begins we’re embarking on a nine week study of the ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’ In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul names nine traits–nine evidences–of the Holy Spirit’s presence in a Christian’s life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just before this list of traits Paul gives an even longer list of sins (chips and cookies) that keep those who practice them separated from God and at times allure even unsuspecting believers away from the sweetness of the Spirit-filled life God wants them to live.

I hope 2014 is a year of fruitfulness for you. If you are a follower of Christ, you don’t have to try to get all the fruit; they’re already there because the Holy Spirit is already there, but if you’re trying to eat cookies and chips, you’re just not going to be able to taste and see the goodness of His presence–and neither will others.

Join us Sunday mornings, 10 a.m. at 4261 Manchester Rd. in Perry, OH or listen to the “Fruit of the Spirit” messages online. Click here to listen to week one: “Love.”