We may be highly successful financially, and by outward appearances have it all together. However without the fruit of the spirit active in our lives, we develop our own fruit of the mind.

      Because we are made in Gods image, and are a trinity, a three-dimensional being. We can choose to live a two dimensional life, without the direction of the Holy Spirit.

    Lasting peace and joy are replaced with circumstantial, momentary pleasure, of attaining the next thing. Sometimes peace and joy fall by the wayside altogether.

      Pride rises to the top of the list. We exchange ethics for greed.

Self-gratification, selfish ambitions, the lust of the eye. can all lead to adulterous affairs; or perversion or envy or idolatry. The list is endless.

     To experience the real fruit of the Spirit; it requires us to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and trusting the Holy Spirit to mentor us.

Being Born Again brings options to the table. We can have that peace that passes all understanding; by believing that the best is yet to come; by trusting that all things work together for good to them that love God.

     Or we can let worry paralyze us by trusting the appearance of outward circumstances. Meaning, playing the “what if game?” That is a game of running a thousand scenarios through our minds. Women play this game more than men. Men play the “Mr. Fix It” game, by trying to manipulate circumstances for control.

     God wants us to play the “even if” game by choosing the internal joy that only He can bring, regardless of circumstances! Or, we can choose the external pursuit of happiness by chasing the next thing!

      We can be gentle and show kindness by sharing the truth in love or be prideful and condemning.

These are the choices Christians face daily. God gives us the grace to keep failing till we get it right. The sooner we get it right, the quicker we grow. The more we can be trusted, the more God will entrust to us.