Faithful Fruit & Broken Chains
DEVOTIONALS
Written Miracle
8/17/20256 min read
Hey Sis Hey!
Time is moving too fast, wouldn’t you say? But here we are, staying rooted in Jesus and finishing our summer series strong, faithful, and oh so FRUITFUL!
Before we dig in, here’s the seed I need you to grab and plant deep: You’ve been called to live free.
Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:1:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
And right here, I just have to shout—Hallelujahhhhhhhhhh! My God!
Being set free means we no longer have to live chained to the desires of the flesh, because the old has passed away, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Through Christ, we are empowered to walk by the Spirit, bearing fruit that endures no matter how hard things get. Fruit that produces real Christ-like character and transformation.
The truth is, our flesh will always tug for control, urging us to choose comfort over calling, feelings over faith, and self over surrender. But Sis, you are not powerless. You have been pruned and prepared—FULLY equipped. You are Spirit-led. You are free.
And what does that freedom look like? It looks like a tree bearing fruit in every season, unshaken by storm or drought. It looks like faithfulness that stands strong when everything around you is shaky and uncertain. It looks like long-suffering that chooses to wait on God’s timing. It looks like self-control that says yes to obedience and nun-un to comfort and compromise.
This week’s devotional is titled Faithful Fruit & Broken Chains. Because while the flesh tries to bind us, the Spirit empowers us to blossom and flourish in freedom…bearing fruit that testifies to the One who set us apart and set us free indeed.
And this is where transformation begins, Sis. Freedom in Christ isn’t just about being released from the chains of the flesh, it’s also about being matured and refined into His image: dying daily to our flesh, yielding to the sanctification process, and believing that we have received righteousness through faith. This is what it looks like to be faithful, surrendered, and obedient servants of Christ.
Here’s the good news: As we surrender, chains are broken and the Spirit cultivates faithfulness that stands firm, long-suffering that endures the storms, and self-control that keeps us rooted in obedience. These are the fruits that mark a life being transformed, blossoming not just when the sun is shining, but in the storms as well.
We will navigate through these fruits by confronting the world we live in today. A world moving fast for no reason, where everything revolves around what I call “The Fleshly Trio”: convenience, comfort, and control. When talking about blossoming and flourishing, there’s no way we can’t address this trio, because just like weeds in a garden, they interfere with the fruit God is trying to produce in us.
Faithfulness vs. Control:
Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV) encourages, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
FAITHfulness! Isn’t faith what this walk is all about? Faithfulness is reliability and consistency in our relationship with God and with others. Faithfulness is what enables us to stand firm when everything around us is going haywire. Firm faith remains the same and does not switch up depending on what’s happening around us.
The fruit of faithfulness is one of those fruits that keeps us steady, reminding us that God is in control, not us. This fruit is produced when we decide to let go and let God. It calls us to trust Him even when we can’t see the outcome, to believe that He is working behind the scenes in ways we may never fully understand. When we release our need to control and choose to trust His timing and His plan, we discover the true freedom to flourish.
Long-Suffering (Forbearance;Patience) vs. Convenience:
James 1:3-4 (NKJV) says, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Oh boy! I’m sure we could hardly wait to get to the fruit of patience, no pun intended lol. Let’s be real, patience is one of those fruits we all could grow a lot more of. Or, I’ll just speak for myself and say that God is still working on me in this area. Pray for me, Sis!
You may see it translated as patience, long-suffering, or forbearance in different versions of the Bible, but they all point to the same Spirit-led strength: the ability to endure, and to respond with grace even when circumstances seem hard or delayed.
Patience isn’t just about waiting. It’s about our heart posture and how we respond while we wait. It’s trusting that the waiting is being used to develop our character and strengthen our faith. So, while the world chases convenience, the Spirit grows long-suffering in us, producing steadfastness and resilience that lasts.
Self-Control vs. Comfort:
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) declares, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
The truth is, our flesh will always tug for control, urging us to choose comfort over calling, feelings over faith, and self over surrender. If you know my testimony, I used food for comfort all my life, which resulted in me neglecting my health and purpose all at the same time. But today, I can look back and say that that chain is broken, and I am free. Not because of willpower or anything that I did. But God’s Spirit, which gives us the power to resist, to pause, and to choose what truly nourishes—not just our bodies, but our hearts and souls.
Self-control isn’t just about food, it shows up in so many areas of life. It’s saying no to scrolling endlessly on your phone when you know you should be resting, speaking with patience instead of reacting in anger, or properly stewarding your finances rather than giving in to impulsive spending. It’s choosing God’s will over the quick fix, the easy path, or the temporary pleasure. Every time we practice self-control, even in small ways, we strengthen our spiritual muscles and build trust in our relationship with God. Is it easier said than done? Yes, but again…God equips us to say no to what tempts us and yes to what transforms us.
This week, remember that faithfulness, long-suffering, and self-control are God’s call on your life and a reflection of His character. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to stand firm, break every chain, and flourish in every season.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, my God in Heaven,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and faithfulness that never fail. Thank you for setting me apart and setting me free. It is because of you that so many chains have been broken in my life. I know that without you, I am nothing.
Lord, I come before You asking that You cultivate faithfulness within me. Teach me to remain steadfast in You, trusting Your promises regardless of what it feels like or looks like around me. Help me to stand firm, committed to Your ways, and devoted to living for Your glory.
Father, develop the fruit of long-suffering within me, so that when life is challenging, I will wait on Your timing with patience and perseverance. Help me to endure trials without complaint, trusting that You are working all things together for my good.
Lord, please grow self-control in me. Teach me to say yes to obedience and no to the impulses of the flesh. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions so that I live in alignment with Your Spirit. Help me to be disciplined, Spirit-led, and fully surrendered to Your will.
Holy Spirit, I invite You to shape me from the inside out. Let my life bear fruit that glorifies You, faithful, enduring, and disciplined. Thank You, Lord, for working in me and through me, for equipping me to flourish even in the storms. I am free and I am thankful.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scriptures to meditate on this week:
