Three-legged races are a ton of fun. You find a partner and each put one leg into a burlap sack. Once you’re connected to someone else, you realize you had better figure out—quickly—how to work and walk together. If you don’t, you’ll end up in a heap on the ground.
You and the Holy Spirit are in a three-legged race, working and walking together. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NIV).
How do you keep in step with the Spirit so you don’t end up in a heap on the ground? God’s Word tells you how.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. . . . The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:16,22-24).
The Holy Spirit is the one who sets the pace. He gives you the strength to walk with him, to say no to what your sinful heart wants to do. He changes you and gives you what he calls fruits. When all of these fruits are listed together, it’s easy to read them too quickly and not think about each one.
Chomp on this!
Have a three-legged race at home. If you don’t have a burlap sack (not many people do), use a towel and wrap it around your ankles.
