But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22–23)
Expanded Passage: Galatians 5:19-26
Manuel stared into his coffee as he contemplated how to respond to Mahmoud’s statement. He had met Mahmoud at community college and struck up a friendship, one made unlikely by their ethnic and national differences. Still, they were clearly in the process of becoming friends, and Manuel gratefully accepted the invitation to meet for coffee on this brisk autumn day. Perhaps he would have a chance to share a bit about his faith in Jesus.
Mahmoud, however, started in with a political argument about past conflicts between their respective peoples and nations. Manuel asked God for wisdom to respond well. He knew he could win a political argument, and, on one level, he really wanted to. He realized, though, that winning this argument would likely close the door to future discussions about Jesus. Manuel smiled and prayed inwardly, asking God to grant him peace and self-control.
The moment passed, and the subject changed. God’s Spirit had overcome Manuel’s natural inclinations and enabled him to walk in obedience in the moment. This bore fruit as their conversations began to turn to faith and to salvation in Jesus. Mahmoud accepted a New Testament in his native language. By putting aside his pride and accepting the Spirit-empowered, peaceful fruit of self-control, Manuel created a joy far greater than the self-satisfaction of winning an argument.
Cooperate with God’s Spirit, bringing forth his fruit in you.
Matt Friedman was a professor of global ministry at Kingswood University (NB)and previously served in southern Asia for eighteen years.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
