In the run-up to the presidential election, I encourage all of us to become fruit inspectors. Take a good, long look at both candidates and assess them based on the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23:
Does this candidate show love ... or does he sow hatred? “Love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)
Does this candidate act out of a heart full of joy ... or does he act out of a heart full of dissatisfaction? “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Does this candidate promote peace ... or does he stoke division and chaos? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Does this candidate demonstrate patience ... or does he react impatiently to people and situations? “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” (Colossians 3:12-13)
Does this candidate show kindness ... or does he act inconsiderately or even cruelly? “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Does this candidate do good to others ... or does he commit evil acts? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Does this candidate practice faithfulness ... or has he shown himself as untrustworthy? “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” (Luke 16:10)
Does this candidate act with gentleness ... or is he harsh in his words and actions? “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.” (James 3:13-14)
Does this candidate demonstrate self-control ... or is he undisciplined in how he acts and reacts? “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power. Avoid such men as these.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
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