Devotionals for May 12, 2022
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READ
GALATIANS 5:16-25
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
REFLECT
The world tells us to follow our own desires, to follow our hearts. But the gospel message says that instead of being bound to our own desires, which are sinful and cause harm, we have been freed to follow the Spirit. And while our own desires are alluring, tempting, and often convincing, they pale in comparison to the richness that life with God provides. The death of what we want, of what we think we need, allows for a rebirth of new life in us- one that is better than we could ever ask for or imagine.
APPLY
Q: Why are we now free to follow the Spirit instead of being bound to our own desires?
Q: What does it look like for you to follow the Spirit’s desires?
Q: Who in your life triggers any of the outcomes listed in verse 19? Pray and put effort specifically towards your interactions with them, allowing God to grow new fruit in you.
Q: What does it look like for you to follow the Spirit’s desires?
Q: Who in your life triggers any of the outcomes listed in verse 19? Pray and put effort specifically towards your interactions with them, allowing God to grow new fruit in you.
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Jesus, thank you for your grace and forgiveness. I have been forgiven of all my debts, debts that I could never repay, and you paid them for me. In the same way, since I have been forgiven much, I will not withhold forgiveness to others. Holy Spirit, help me to loosen the grip I have on bitterness and anger, on what I think should happen, and allow me to forgive sincerely and completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Jesus, thank you for your grace and forgiveness. I have been forgiven of all my debts, debts that I could never repay, and you paid them for me. In the same way, since I have been forgiven much, I will not withhold forgiveness to others. Holy Spirit, help me to loosen the grip I have on bitterness and anger, on what I think should happen, and allow me to forgive sincerely and completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.