Devotionals for May 27, 2024
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READ
Galatians 5:16-23
Living by the Spirit’s Power
16 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, 21 envy, 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!
Living by the Spirit’s Power
16 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, 21 envy, 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!
REFLECT
Paul talks about the two forces fighting within us - the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature. The Holy Spirit produces the character traits that are found in the nature of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In order to receive these traits in verses 22 and 23, we must know Jesus, love Him, remember Him and imitate Him. In other words, you have to be intentional about growing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that the Holy Spirit within you is ALWAYS fighting for you!
APPLY
Q: What do the scriptures above tell you on who should be guiding your life?
Q: Which of these qualities listed in verses 22 and 23 do you want the Holy Spirit to produce in you?
Q: How can you encourage others to grow more fruit in their lives?
Q: Which of these qualities listed in verses 22 and 23 do you want the Holy Spirit to produce in you?
Q: How can you encourage others to grow more fruit in their lives?
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Father - You are holy and worthy of all my praise! Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Teach me to be intentional about growing Your fruit. Protect me and guide me so that I will not follow the desires of my sinful nature. Thank you for always fighting for me!
Father - You are holy and worthy of all my praise! Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Teach me to be intentional about growing Your fruit. Protect me and guide me so that I will not follow the desires of my sinful nature. Thank you for always fighting for me!