Fruit of the spirit

 *EXCELLENT LIFE KEYS* 🔑🗝️

Mon/15th/Aug/2022

*Francis Reign* (Ap & Coach) 

_"Raising excellent agents of change and transformation, well equipped with Truth and Wisdom."_

*UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS AND WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST (155)*

_"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful"_ (Matthew 13:22).

In the parable, the soil is good enough to nurture thorny plants, so the seed germinates and grows. But the thorns (or weeds) choke the plant before it can develop grain. The spiritual equivalent would be someone who hears the Gospel, allows the message to reach his heart, and even shows some spiritual growth, but doesn't display any spiritual fruit. These are the people who see Jesus as a good teacher and Christianity as a unique kind of self-help. They may take Biblical principles and apply them to their family or marriage or business. They are drawn to the morality of Christianity, and have the appearance of spiritual growth. What these persons don't understand is that _"spiritual growth and fruitfulness"_ is only authentic if it is empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit. 

The _"fruit of the Spirit"_ isn't a list of attitudes to strive for, but the natural result of allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us (Phil 2:13). It is these people who believe they can work for their salvation while keeping one foot in the world. They don't understand that they are interpreting the Gospel through the world's point of view, and that same world will not let go easily. 

Where you place your focus is where growth will happen in your life. A prime example of this parable in action is the rich young ruler. He came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus looked at him in love and said, _"One thing you lack, Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow Me... and this man's face fell and he went away sad"_ (Mark 10:21). He was very rich and the desire for wealth and worldly things trumped his desire to follow Jesus. Our lives reflect both what has been planted and what has been given preference to grow. If the Word is going to make a difference in your life, weed out other things, let God Almighty be enthroned alone in your heart. 

*EXCELLENCE KEY* 🗝️

_Where you place your focus is where growth will happen in your life. Our lives reflect both what has been planted and what is given preference to grow._ 

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*Excellence is within you. Bring it out >>*

#1539 ELK.