For Better or Worse

“The fruit of the Spirit is . .” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

“The strongest influence you allow will eventually determine your most natural expressions.”

My thoughts today are about “for better or worse.”

Have you noticed that you gradually become more like the persons you choose to be with most frequently? You may not intend to do so; you may not even notice when that is happening, but the reality is that your relationships and the time spent together greatly shape and influence who you are in the process of becoming. Unnoticeably to yourself, you will begin to think like, talk like, and act like the people you are most frequently with and most comfortable being around.

The strongest influence you allow will eventually determine your most honest and natural expressions. Those strong influences could be the friends you seek, the music you prefer, the books you read, the movies you attend, the programs you watch, or the people you envy or admire? What do you presently see coming out of your life as an expression, in regard to those things – such as opinions, attitudes, vocabulary, choices, values, priorities, or lifestyle?

Now, consider the difference if God were the strongest influence in your everyday life. Spend time with God! What would change? What about you would you think might be different, better even than you are now? Today’s Bible verse is really about that. After a most sordid description (See Galatians 5:19-21 NLT) of the worst expressions of your natural enemies – the world, the flesh, and the devil – Paul contrasts that with the influence the Holy Spirit wants to bring into your life.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV. Is that more accurately descriptive of what you really want your life to be?  Here’s how the Bible describes the process, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your life will produce these evil results . . but when the Holy Spirit controls your life, He will produce this kind of (Christ-like) fruit in us . .” Galatians 5:19/22 NLT.

That’s the choice, and your choice makes all the difference – for better or worse! Did you notice that the worst expressions come from your flesh? The far better Christ-like expressions come out of the Spirit who dwells within you.

The problem is not really as evident as it may seem at first. Be clear about this; the root is the problem, not the fruit. Fruit is merely a reflection of the life that is at its source – for better or worse. Symptoms are external and superficial; they only reflect the problem. The source is internal and always influential. You will waste your time trying to control the fruit, when you should more wisely choose the right source. Time spent with God’s Word and Spirit is valuable beyond price and will transform everything about you in the best possible way. See Psalm 1:1-3 NLT/ John 15:4-5 NLT.

My prayer for you today is to allow God’s Word and Spirit to be your strong influences.