Fruits - Week 4 (Patience)

Crucifying the Flesh

Galatians 5:16–26 CSB

I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Serving others with patience

Galatians 5:13–14 CSB

For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Don’t forget: the purpose of the Fruit of the Spirit is to use our freedom in Christ to serve others in love. Therefore, our patience must be focused on others.

Patience is more than just not getting mad. Patience takes many forms in our relationships: forgiveness, empathy, discipleship, loyalty, and more. Patience is about putting others before ourselves.

Waiting patiently for God

We wait patiently for God’s timing. He sees our lives differently than we do, He sees us in the scope of eternity. We don’t often get to understand why we are experiencing what we’re experiencing while we’re experiencing it, but God has a plan and purpose for us beyond what we can see.

It’s like the author of a book. The author of a book knows the entire story, and can be present in all parts of the story at the same time, but the characters in the book only experience the page they are on.

Similarly, God works in our lives in ways we can’t understand because we can’t see as He does. Trust in Him produces patience and vice versa.