*Are you new to my Fruit of the Spirit Devotion Series? In order to get the best experience with the content, check out the following parts of this series before reading this one.
Post 1 (Intro), Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7
Aiming to be more like God in our thoughts and actions ensures that our character reflects God’s character. The next spiritual fruit is faithfulness. God requires us to be faithful. To be faithful means to be devoted and loyal. We tend to be faithful over the things and people that we value, showing loyalty and dependability. Seeing value in something means that you are aware of its worth, and treat it accordingly.
Reflecting the Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
God also desires for us to be faithful over little things, as well as over bigger things. When we are faithful over the small things, we show God that we can be trusted with greater things! Being faithful demonstrates that we are appreciative. Sometimes, perseverance is required rom us to be faithful.
For a believer, faithfulness to God is above all else. God is always faithful, so we should work to mirror that same character trait. Our actions, thoughts, and daily behaviors all reflect the level of faithfulness that we have towards our relationship with the Lord. All other relationships and encounters with others in our lives benefit by receiving the overflow of us having a devoted relationship with God. When we are faithful, we will be filled with God’s blessings!
“A faithful man will abound with blessings.” (Proverbs 28:20)
Application: Focusing on What is Important
We generally are most faithful to the things and people that we value. It’s important to re-evaluate priorities, actions, and thoughts often, so that we are giving the things we consider important the proper time and energy. Guarding your heart welcomes the Holy Spirit to flow freely. If you aren’t actively guarding, things can creep in that may hinder you from doing God’s work, eventually stealing your focus. This can make it so that you are only concerned about your problems and your life – a breeding ground for selfishness to settle in.
But when you protect the heart, you are able to stay focused on what and who is really important, without any selfish intent. What you focus on will naturally guide every single one of your thoughts and actions! So choose to focus on what is good, true, pure, lovely and noble. You can then be clear-headed enough to actually discern what others around you may be in need of, in order to be a blessing.
“Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Weekly Reflection: Faithfulness in All Seasons
For everything, there is a season! Remembering this truth enables us to strengthen our faithfulness not only to God, but also to our relationship with Him, our God-given calling, and to those He has skillfully placed in our lives, no matter what season we are in. Even when things seem to not be working in our favor, always remember that God causes all things to work together for good! While each season of life is different, the unique conditions of each season actually “condition” us (equips us) for what is to come!
Additional Verses to Further Study Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10)
“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24)
Prayer Starter:
“Father, I am faithful to you. Thank you for being faithful to me, overlooking my faults. Every blessing is from above. I want to be faithful over what and who you have given to me. Strengthen me daily as I devote myself to your way of doing things.”
Next week, let’s explore of the Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. Don’t forget to subscribe if you found this helpful and please share this with a friend! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Wishing you all a great week!
