But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22,23)

Benjamin Franklin set a precedent for leaders after him of soberly assessing his weaknesses in certain character attributes and working on them intentionally over a period of time. We have found it helpful to look over the Fruit of the Holy Spirit that Paul gives us and assess or grade ourselves.

Perhaps there is one in which you are sadly lacking, and perhaps that deficit is impacting your leadership capabilities at home or at work. Pick one, write down your goal on a note card and place it in a prominent place to remind yourself. Jesus said if we ask for the Holy Spirit, we will receive the Holy Spirit. And with the Holy Spirit comes a bunch of fruitful benefits that make life worth living!

Dallas Willard wisely wrote, “Organize your life around character transformation.” Let’s pray to that end! Paul ends his discourse on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit with this amazing promise: “There is no law against these things!” In other words, armed with these attributes, we win wherever we go. (Sure, Eeyore, we will run into trials and challenges most days of our lives, but the Fruit will get us through them over onto victory every time!)

Lord,

Please increase my capacities in all of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for the strides I am making in [name one you in which you exhibit strength].

In this season of my life I am particularly in need of [name one in which you are weak]. Would you please give me more of your Spirit to fill me to overflowing with this grace and virtue?

I need you. Give me a strategy to grow in this fruit. My first step is self-awareness. Thank you for opening up my eyes to my own weakness. My second step is awareness of your love and power and kindness toward me. I receive your help today.

In Jesus’ Name
Amen

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. (Luke 11:13)