Daily Verse
Friday, March 13, 2026
The Fruit of the Spirit
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Friday's Reflection
Galatians 5:17 — For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Paul is very honest here. The Spirit-filled life does not mean life without struggle. Even believers who love God still feel the pull of the flesh. The Spirit and the flesh move in opposite directions, and the tension between them is real.
This struggle is not a sign that something is wrong. In many ways, it is a sign that the Spirit is at work. A person who lives only for the flesh feels no battle at all. The struggle exists because the Spirit now lives within us.
The fruit of the Spirit grows in the middle of this conflict. It grows when we pause before speaking a harsh word and choose gentleness instead. It grows when bitterness rises but we choose peace. It grows when impatience appears and we surrender it to God.
As the week comes to a close and Sabbath approaches, this is a good time to be honest before God. Bring Him the places where the battle has been strongest this week. Do not hide them. The Spirit who began His work in you is able to finish it.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, we are honest with You — the conflict is real and we do not always win. Thank You that Your presence within us is itself the evidence of Your work. As Sabbath draws near, help us to lay down the week's battles, yield every contested ground to You, and enter Your rest in peace. Amen.