Help, My “Ugly
Fruit” is Showing!
By
Susan Klein
“But
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Galatians
5:22-23a
Have you ever seen
an “uglifruit”? It’s a sort of hybrid between a pomelo, an orange and a
tangerine. Its external appearance befits its name. It has a rough, wrinkly
rind with ugly green blemishes. Chances are, if you saw it in your produce
section, you’d turn your nose up and walk right by. However, beneath its deceptively
ugly exterior lies a succulently sweet and juicy interior!
At a women’s
conference I recently attended, the table topic turned toward “fruit of the
Spirit.” We were encouraged to answer the question, “What fruit might others
say is most evident in your life?” Many of the ladies didn’t want to answer,
feeling it might sound boastful. Even when reassured by our table leader that
we’d only be boasting about what the Holy Spirit is doing in us, it still left
some hesitant to reply.
One lady confessed,
“I think my ugly fruit is what is most evident much of the time.” While
invoking a good chuckle, we all admitted we could relate. The significance of
the question seemed to lie in the word “evident,” or what others see in us. As
we discussed this topic further, we concluded that the above verse shows that
the word “fruit” used here is singular; meaning if you have one, you have
access to them all. In other words, if the Holy Spirit is dwelling in you, you
have this whole wonderful fruit dwelling inside of you, even if what others see
on your outside is blemished and ugly. What is “evident” is determined by your
choice of which fruit to display.
When we are truly
walking in the Spirit, focusing on our Lord and not on ourselves or our
circumstances, our good fruit will be much more evident than our ugly
(sin-nature) fruit. Those who belong to
Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians
5:24-25.
Some days, when I’m
not keeping in step with the Spirit, I might not have the whole fruit evident
on my branches. Perhaps I am exhibiting patience with my spouse, but the joy in
my difficult circumstances is hidden from view. Or maybe I’m exercising
self-control in my spending, but my kindness is not evident to the store clerk.
On days when my ugly fruit is showing, I know it’s really time to get back in step with the Spirit so His sweet,
succulent fruit can shine through!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Which aspect of your
spiritual fruit might most frequently be hidden from view of others? What can
you do to display it more prominently?
FURTHER READING:
Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of
its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with
inner-city youth.
