This is the third in a series of poems (actually one long poem spread out over three weeks, or nine small poems crammed into three weeks, depending on how you look at it). This is my Thankful Thursday tribute to the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, for which I am eternally grateful even if I don’t always exhibit all these characteristics in equal number. The Fruit of the Spirit is set out by Paul in his letter to the Galatians:
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).
I have to confess that this part of the poem gave me the greatest challenge. As I wrote the stanza for each of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, first Love, Joy, and Peace, followed by Patience, Kindness, and Goodness, all was going well and the words just flowed. As I came to Faithfulness, the words continued to come to me. Then I came to Gentleness, and nothing. I realized I truly had no idea what Gentleness looked like, so I moved on to Self-Control and all was well again.
But each time I came back to Gentleness, I had no idea what to write. So I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to show me what Gentleness was. Over the two weeks following my first prayer, He showed me what Gentleness was by how the opposite was often exhibited in my own speech. And so I was finally able to finish the poem in time for this week’s promised posting. And for that I am thankful.
Faithfulness Gentleness Self-Control
Faithfulness —
Almighty God is faithful
I desire to be faithful, too
The key is to call on the Spirit
His power to teach and renew
Filled with His grace and mercy
Under the Law no more
Loving the blessings He outpours
Now my heart remains faithful
Even as my flesh cries, “Rebel!”
Spirit, come fill me full measure
Sweet Savior, it’s You I adore
Gentleness —
Each of my words softly spoken
No sharpness of tongue shall I heed
The Spirit in control of my tongue
Lest another’s spirit I bleed
Even in meekness is the Spirit’s strength
Now for mercy and tenderness I plead
E‘er they cease to come to me
Sweetness of soul, overtake all harshness
Savior, by You I am freed
Self-Control —
Escape the trap of the devil
Lying in wait with a snare
Flee his temptations to wander
– (he whispers,)
“Cavort with sin if you dare”
“Out,” declares the Spirit with power
“No lies will be believed here”
Triumph over temptation
Remain in the Spirit, stand tall
Outwit the devil by His glory
Love to do good above all