Episode Transcript
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(00:04):
The wooden cricket. Welcome back to the Wooden
Cricket podcast. I'm Lawrence.
Today we're talking about something essential to the
Christian life, the fruits of the Spirit.
These aren't just poetic words or good traits to aim for, they
(00:26):
are evidence. There are signs that we are
walking with Jesus and that his Spirit is alive within us.
We're going to explore what these fruits are and how they
show up in our lives and how we can continue to grow in them,
not by our own strength, but by staying rooted in Jesus.
(00:47):
Let's dig into this. If you have your NLT Bible with
you, we're going to start in Galatians chapter 5, verse 22
and 23. The Holy Spirit produces this
kind of fruit in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
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self-control. There is no law against these
things. So these 9 traits, um, aren't 9
separate goals to chase. I feel like they're one unified
fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in us when we surrender
daily to Jesus. These qualities that flow
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naturally when the root is strong, and Jesus is that root.
If we're not seeing these fruits, maybe the problem is an
effort. Maybe the problem is connection.
So you got to ask, are we abiding in Him?
John chapter 15 verse 5, Jesus says yes, I am the vine, you are
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the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in
them will produce much fruit, for apart from me you can do
nothing. We don't force fruit to grow.
We stay connected to Jesus and the fruit starts to show up.
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It's that intimacy with Jesus inprayer and in surrender and in
obedience that allows his character to be formed in us.
So if you're struggling, don't try harder.
Just abide deeper, you know, Matthew Chapter 7 verse 16.
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You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they
act. Can you pick grapes from
thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Jesus is very clear here. When he's speaking.
The fruit reveals the root. What we do shows who we belong
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to, our actions, our attitude, our character, them.
They all preach A sermon. Are we living in a way that
points others to Jesus? Or are we just wearing the label
of Christian without living the life?
And that's a really important question.
Romans chapter 8, verse 9. But you are not controlled by
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your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit
if you have the Spirit of God living in you.
If the Spirit lives in us, He leads us.
We won't be perfect, but we'll be changed.
A life surrendered to Jesus isn't about behavior
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modification, it's about transformation.
The Holy Spirit doesn't just help us be nicer, He changes who
we are at the core. Colossians chapter 3, verse 12.
Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must
cloth yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness,
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humility, gentleness, and patience.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love which binds us all
together in perfect harmony. This is the wardrobe of the
spirit filled believer. We choose to wear what God
provides. These aren't just emotions, they
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are choices. Love, patience, humility.
They often come at a cost, but when we walk in these we look
more like Jesus to a world that desperately needs them.
Look around, watch any news channel, listen to any news on
the radio. It's, you know, it's bonkers out
there. The world absolutely needs
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Jesus. Ephesians 5 verses 8:00 and
9:00. For once you were full of
darkness. What we talked about yesterday,
by the way, if you were listening this little light of
mine, right? So listen to this.
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light
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from the Lord. So live as people of light, for
this light within you produces only what is good and right and
true. The fruit of the Spirit isn't
just personal, it's missional. It impacts how others see Jesus
in us. Our light isn't for our own
pride, it is for the glory of God.
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The world needs to see what goodness and righteousness and
truth look like, I think, and weshow it by how we live as
Christians who just believe and follow Jesus.
James chapter 3 verse 17. But the wisdom from above is
first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle
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at all times, and willing to yield to others.
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and
reap a harvest of righteousness.Spiritual fruit always begins in
the heart and then shows itself in our relationships.
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Are we planting peace or are we sowing division?
Are we gentle? Were we sharpened?
Defensive. Ask the Spirit to cultivate
peace and purity in you. These are Jesus ways, not the
world's ways. First John chapter 4 verse 12.
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No one has ever seen God, but ifwe love each other, God lives in
US and His love is brought to full expression in US.
And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and
He and us. And this is it, right here.
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The fruit proves the presence. Does that make sense?
The Holy Spirit is not just a helper, He is proof that God is
alive in US. And when we love, when we
forgive, where we're gentle and faithful, it's God revealing
himself through us. And that's the goal of it all,
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to make Jesus visible. The fruits of the Spirit aren't
something we achieve. There's something we receive by
walking closely with Jesus. They aren't a checklist, they're
not about being nice, they're about being changed.
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So let this episode be a mirror,not to judge yourself, but to
invite the Holy Spirit to go deeper.
If you're lacking peace, ask formore Jesus.
If patience is running dry, drawnearer to the one who is patient
with you. Yeah, if your love feels weak,
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remember the cross and what he did there.
Jesus is the vine and you are the branch.
The fruit is the proof. So stay rooted, stay close, and
trust that He is not finished with you yet.
Thank you so much for being heretoday.
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If this spoke to your heart, I encourage you to take a quiet
moment and ask the Holy Spirit to grow these fruits in your
life, not for your glory, but sothat the world can see Jesus in
you. He is the vine and we are the
branches and this fruit. It's all for him.
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I love you guys, but more importantly, Jesus loves you.
Keep walking with him and we will see you tomorrow on the
Wooden Cricket podcast. Peace.