Purple Marshmallows

Galatians 5:16 says, "So I say, live by the Spirit, & you will
not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

This verse has been on my mind after finishing reading the book of Galatians. This is the first verse in the section that introduces the difference in acts of the sinful nature and acts from the Fruit of the Spirit. The key to not fulfilling the acts of the sinful nature, but instead having the fruit of the Spirit is to live by the Spirit. Maybe God put this verse first in this section so we would not miss the point on how to have victory in this area.

My husband has a message that he has spoken on in the Junior High that he titles, "Purple Marshmallows." I love hearing him speak on this. Basically, his point is that many times as Christians we try to fake having the Fruit of the Spirit, and instead we create purple marshmallows and not real grapes. From a far, purple marshmallows could be mistaken as grapes enabling us to fool others and ourselves for a while, but he explains to the kids that trying to always be loving, joyful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and show self-control on our own is exhausting and not genuine or permanent. We cannot make the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives on our own, if we try, the best we will come up with is something that kinda looks like it, but will not last. This is not what God wants.

We need to remember the point in verse 16. It is only through living by the Spirit, daily surrendering to God, that puts us in the position for God to produce His fruit of the Spirit in us. Living in the Spirit also gives us the power to resist the desires of the sinful nature. How awesome is God. I just love how all of this works out. If we spend time with Him and seek Him, He will equip us with all we need. This is why time with God everyday is so Vital. We need His help and can't do it on our own.