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 NLT
“You can’t eliminate desire – you can only exchange it” is often touted as a Buddhist principle. Truth is truth whoever tells it, but Jesus told it first. He introduced the idea of what and how we exchange it based on what is most important to us. Buddhism and other ways of ordering life tell us to basically “white-knuckle” it through with great discipline and sacrifice to exchange desires. That is not the way of the Spirit.
God does not say we are not to have desires. As C. S. Lewis argued, our desires are not too strong, but too weak, because we settle for temporary pleasures rather than the infinite joy of life offered by God. The exchange takes place when we see what God offers as more satisfying.
The change is not usually instant but is “sanctification” through the work of the Holy Spirit over time. When we abide in Christ, when we consistently choose Him (John 15:4-5), we walk in the Spirit, and the fruit grows all over our lives. The fruit is not produced by trying harder – but by staying connected.
Paul said so well in only a few words what the Spirit life will produce in us if this is where we choose to place our desires. The Message again says it in words we cannot misunderstand:
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. – Galatians 5:22-23 MSG
Again. Wow. Isn’t that the way you want to live? Isn’t that the desire of your heart? If you stay connected to Jesus, letting Him replace the desires that are a carry over from your old life, these are the ways your life will change. It’s a promise. It’s the way the Spirit life works. We quit feeding the things that destroy us and start feeding the things that give us life. It’s not OUR work. It’s the work of the Spirit as we stay connected and obedient. We don’t kill our desires. We stay connected and Jesus helps us redirect them. We discover that in the truest way, the life Jesus gives is what we truly crave, and He gives us the desires of our hearts.
- Jesus, help me stay connected to You and relax as You produce Your fruit in me.