Devotionals for July 2, 2024
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READ
Galatians 5:16-25
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!
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.
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!
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 struggle is real. There are two forces constantly fighting within us. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is stronger than the sinful nature. But it requires daily focus to continue to ask for the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out, so we can become more like Jesus. Thank God he sent the Holy Spirit to help us!
APPLY
Q: What should guide your life?
Q: Which things in the scriptures above do you want less of? Which do you want more of? Are you actively partnering with the Holy Spirit to accomplish this?
Q: How can you be a role model to those around you? Do they see the fruit of the spirit in you?
Q: Which things in the scriptures above do you want less of? Which do you want more of? Are you actively partnering with the Holy Spirit to accomplish this?
Q: How can you be a role model to those around you? Do they see the fruit of the spirit in you?
SING
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
God, you are good all the time! Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help us grow more fruit in our lives. Remind us that all we have to do is ask. We know you will answer because you are Good God Almighty!
God, you are good all the time! Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help us grow more fruit in our lives. Remind us that all we have to do is ask. We know you will answer because you are Good God Almighty!