My daughter appeared because of a “snuffed up nose” and waited patiently for me to get her some medicine. She began trotting with me from room to room, and stood quite in my way when I blurted out, “Will you move? You are so underfoot!” I cringed inwardly, only guessing how that must have sounded to her tender ears.
My mother first introduced me to the phrase “sweetness of spirit” several years ago. We have sweetness of spirit when our lives are pleasurable to others because they’re filled with the fruit of the Spirit.
Bad Habits or Fruitfulness?
How many times have I corrected myself, breaking my bad habit of telling my kids to “move” out of my way instead of politely saying, “excuse me”? I would never have spewed that out to, say, an elder in my church! Just because she’s my child doesn’t give me any leeway to be insensitive. I should have said, “Excuse me, sweetie, I need to stand there.” Or, “I need you to walk over here so I can get right where you’re standing.”
In my flesh nature, I don’t want to live yielded to God. I want to do my thing and gravitate towards having my way. My humanness wants to conveniently forget God’s commands. That’s why Jesus said I must deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
An undercurrent of pride drives our days, and unless we shine God’s light on it, we tend to allow it to be ingrained into our background. Our first response to His revealing light is often marked by our defenses instead of humility. Humility takes intention. But make no mistake about it, when you yield to God, you will see the fruit. Your life will change. It doesn’t mean life will be rosy, but it means that you will respond by bearing the Fruit of the Spirit instead.
The Argument on Facebook
No, life isn’t rosy. As I tried to go back to sleep, I recalled a dissension-filled thread I came across on Facebook recently. Christians were arguing under a comment on a famous Christian’s post. If they were standing face-to-face they probably wouldn’t be so unkind in their responses to each other. At one point, I couldn’t decide if I wanted to laugh or cry when someone said, “you’re judging me for judging!” (Seriously??) Shortly after that, a new commenter emerged with “well she’s probably from such-and-such denomination and they don’t believe blah blah blah…I hope God really gets through to her.” (OH, can you feel the love??) I don’t think denominational discrimination is the way.
And then I could only imagine a non-Christian observing and saying, “THAT! That is the God I want to serve!” (It’s not gonna happen.)
Living yielded to God isn’t easy (or even popular among Christians sometimes), but it’s needed. Because when we don’t, it hurts people. It ruins our witness. Don’t get me wrong; I’m by no means perfect (refer to the story above). I likely decreased my influence for how a Believer needs to respond to others when I irritatedly told my daughter to move out of my way.
I’m not going to give you 10 tips for this or 5 ways for that. Instead, I’m just going to implore you to live yielded in your life. Because your life looks different than mine and the person on the next pew. But the Holy Spirit knows your details. And that’s why when you surrender and obey Him in trying moments, He will do a work of sweetness of spirit in you. Are you willing?
Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV
A New Devotional
Fruit will ripen to just that perfect sweetness, leaving a delectable taste in your mouth. Just like eating a good piece of fruit means happy taste buds, I want my life to leave a good taste in your mouth.
Are you willing?
Kelly R. Baker is a Bible study teacher, writer, mentor, the founder of the Blogger Voices Network. She serves with her husband in leading the worship ministry at their church. You will probably find her sneaking a bite (or more) of organic dark chocolate in between wrangling her four homeschooled kids. She helps Christians go from stagnant in their walk with God to thriving in Christ. She promises if you live yielded to God, you’ll see the fruit. Sign up for authentic spiritual growth, encouragement, and exclusive resources.
