There's no kinda, sorta or maybe with God. If goodness is not the genuine fruit of the Spirit, then it's an evil imposter.

She does them good and not evil all the days of her life (Proverbs 31:12).

Even on my worst day in the gym, I didn't think I was capable of being evil toward my players. I may not always be nice or loving toward them, but evil? No way!

No sooner had the denial left my lips, that I felt a strong nudge from the Holy Spirit, "Look again, coach!"

So with some reluctance, I began to examine my coaching habits - my attitudes, actions and motives. I asked myself the two-fold question, "In your eyes, Lord, am I treating my players in a way that is good for them; and secondly, is there anything that I'm doing or not doing that could be considered evil?"

As I thought about this question, my heart was stricken by the power of the Holy Spirit. I felt as if I had been punched in my gut! Several memories raced through my mind, incriminating me. I realized I was not consistently doing the good I was called to do, according to God's standard of excellence. Serving lukewarm leftovers of almost-good to my athletes was evil.

Galations 6:9-10 (NIV) says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good... ."

There's no kinda, sorta or maybe with God. If it's not truly goodness, the genuine fruit of the Spirit, then it's an evil imposter that is rotten, with no eternal nourishment.

Prayer

Lord, what does true goodness look like? How can I grow this precious fruit abundantly in my branches? I want my players to see Your glory through my goodness.