The HOLY SPIRIT produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (📖 Galatians 5:22-23 📖)

To be holy in any way, the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT must be visible in your life. In Galatians 5:22, Paul summarizes the nine characteristics of the fruit. The Greek word translated as fruit literally means “one fruit”. All nine of these qualities have to be manifested in your life: If you are a joyful, loving person, but very impatient, you will not pass the test! Then something in your fruit is still lacking.

You may try in vain to be loving, joyful, peace-loving, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled every day; these things are contrary to your sinful nature. However, it ‘cán’ be done: the secret is found in Galatians 5:16: “Let the HOLY SPIRIT guide your lives. Then you won’t…

by Laura Bailey

“Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV)

I am a natural redhead.

Yes, the stereotypes apply to me. Quick temper? Check! Fiery tongue? Check! Rousing this poked bear is risky — at any given point I might bubble over with excitement or boil with rage.

When voted “most outspoken” my senior year of high school, I wore my brash and brazen verbal reputation as a badge of honor, saying practically anything I wanted — at any time I wanted. I actually considered it my prerogative.

Oh, the follies of youth.

King Solomon knew about immature, foolish conduct and its consequences. At a young age, he asked God to give him a wise and discerning heart (1 Kings 3:9) — a request God granted. Although the Bible refers to him as wise (1…