Let me start with a disclaimer, I am not throwing stones; after all, I am far from perfect, and I would like to add that if I am veering to the right, in a direction that you know is to my detriment, I give you full authority to reign me in. I acknowledge my fragility and also, that I am trying to live righteously and I cannot do it on my own, I need your help, I pray this too is your desire and so…

I was talking to a friend, you know, one of those talks that last a long time, where you talk about every and anything. At a point, she mentioned her disbelief at women who feel they need to parade their nakedness via a skimpy swimsuit on social media and then said Christians should not do that, it is unnecessary. I agreed while saying it is the direction of the world we live in. We glorify our bodies and seek validation to boost our self-esteem from the praises of others at how good we look. The thing is that I didn’t share with her (I guess she will read it here) how a few days before, I came across a picture of myself sitting on the shores of a beautiful beach on a glorious beachside outing day. And I looked good if I can say so myself. I had downloaded the picture intending to share it in my IG stories with the caption, “take me back to this day” or something close to that. However, I did think twice; as much as I was not showing too much, perhaps a bit of boob, it was more the glow to my skin for me, yet, something had prevented me from sharing immediately, actually, probably a week and a half had passed. As she spoke her mind, I remembered my intentions.

The thing is, most of us, I hope, as Christians, do not mean it as a show *probably a little* or probably this is me trying to convince myself. I recall a passage of scripture found in 2 Timothy 3:2, “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy…” Hard for even me to digest, but it is a truth that needs to be told and heard as we see it playing out around us. Many of us probably do not attribute the selfie culture to “lover of self” but what then, what is it really—this love relationship with our phone camera? I am not exempt.

This brings me to the point of this post—THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. So okay, we are a part of the world, and for most of us Christians, we struggle with our flesh which identifies with the world, we make excuses that we are not following the world, and perhaps consciously we are not, but what about subconsciously. Let me help you. And here is where we make a conscious effort, to be honest with ourselves; there is no need to admit to anyone, for the next couple of lines, just be honest with yourself.

John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

Galatians 5:22-23 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!

So, this is what I believe the Lord is saying to us through this post; when we live in the Spirit, the desire to be akin with the world goes, and our desire to live in righteousness and close communion with God becomes pronounced in our lives. We pause when we feel compelled to do things that would irk God’s Spirit that lives within us. Perhaps my delay in posting the picture of myself sitting on the shores of one of the best beaches in the world was because it was no longer akin to who I am—my desire for there to be less of me and more of God. My desire for the fruits of the Spirit to be evident in my life more than fame and fortune, the desire to help someone without it put on blast, the desire to be impactful without the benefits of a reward from man because I KNOW WHO HAS MY REWARD.

So we must assess ourselves by ourselves, honestly and transparently, because ultimately, we are responsible for where we go. And please let us not focus on grace, and grace covers our sins, the Bible reminds us to renew our minds and also not conform to the world and also to strive for righteousness. Let me share those verses with you, so I am not just talking from the air.

Romans 12:2 KJV And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 NLT Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1 Timothy 6:11 (Amp) But as for you, O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

And so, what is your focus at this time? Kinship with the world or striving towards the things of God as much as you can? I think as Christians, we know what we must do, we know when our choices are not a kingdom one, trust me, I have been there before, I will leave us all with this sobering verse:

Galatians 6:7NIV Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Lots Of Love & Light.

GET ACCESS TO THE NEWEST ISSUE OF THEBEYONDWOMAN MAGAZINE