Choose The Fruit Of The Spirit | Galatians 5:22-23 | Shari Ray

In her sermon, Shari uses the metaphor of the Camino de Santiago—a long spiritual pilgrimage—to illustrate the Christian journey of moving continually toward peace and away from chaos. She reflects on her own experience walking the Camino, emphasizing that the daily, intentional choices made on the trail mirror the spiritual decisions we make in life. Life, like the Camino, is not static. Everything is always in motion—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Shari ties this constant movement to the second law of thermodynamics, highlighting humanity’s natural tendency toward disorder unless we intentionally choose otherwise. Spiritually, we’re always moving toward either peace (shalom: wholeness, well-being, safety) or chaos (slavery, disorder, retaliation). Shari contrasts biblical peace with today’s culture of “my truth” and ethical relativism, which echo the times of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes."

She argues that freedom in Christ means intentionally choosing the path that leads to peace, even when it is counterintuitive or difficult. The lie from the Garden of Eden—that we are the exception to the rule—still misleads us today. We often believe we can harbor resentment, avoid forgiveness, or justify sin without consequences. Shari emphasizes that choosing chaos—like revenge, bitterness, and pride—leads us back into spiritual slavery.

Through examples from both Scripture (Gideon, the Exodus, Judges) and literature (Nietzsche’s philosophy, Crime and Punishment, Macbeth, Hamlet, East of Eden), she shows how refusing to forgive, holding onto bitterness, or believing ourselves exempt from consequences always results in suffering. Forgiveness, though often seen as illogical or undeserved, is the path to freedom.

She tells real-life stories—like her friend Bob who justifies meanness because “they started it”—to show how childish and harmful these justifications are. True peace begins with us, not with others. We often claim we want peace but refuse to let go of pride, pain, or perceived justice to get it.

Shari closes by urging the congregation to choose the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as the “good fruit” in contrast to Adam and Eve’s wrong choice. Like the biblical figures and literary characters she referenced, we too stand at a crossroads daily: toward peace and freedom in Christ, or chaos and slavery in sin. The Gospel gives us the power through the Holy Spirit to undo our wrong choices and walk “The Way” that leads to true peace.

Discussion Questions

1. Shari says we often believe “we are the exception to the rule.” How have you seen that idea play out in your own life or culture?

2. What does the word “shalom” (biblical peace) mean to you? How is it different from simply not fighting or being calm?

3. Are there any areas in your life where you are choosing chaos (bitterness, revenge, pride) instead of peace? What would it look like to choose differently?

4. Who is someone in your life that you feel “started it”? What would it take for you to forgive them anyway?

5. Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you most need to grow in right now to walk in peace? What’s one practical way you could pursue it this week?