Living by the Spirit

♦ February 12, 2026 ♦ Leave a comment


 

Galatians 5:24 – 6:1:2  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All

6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  

 

Today’s devotional follows the fruit of the Spirit as outlined by Paul to the Galatians: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Paul goes on to say we must crucify the flesh. Jesus said in Mark 8:34 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

 

So how are we to apply this word to our own lives?

  1. Crucifying our flesh means we are to put to death any desires and actions that lead to sin. Sin starts with our thoughts, so instead of giving in to our thought life until we are acting on those thoughts, we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor 10:5.
  2. We are to avoid conceit by staying in the Word, recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from God, James 1:17.
  3. We help others who are in error by praying that the Holy Spirit give us the words to speak that will penetrate the heart, assuring them we are not acting out of judgment but instead out of love.
  4. We watch our own hearts by staying aligned with the Scriptures and always listening for the Holy Spirit.
  5. We compare ourselves only to Jesus, living in Christ, and walking as close to Him as possible.

There is a lot packed into those few scriptures. The bottom line is we are His, and there is no place I would rather be.

 

I would like to remind you of the Hymn “Living for Jesus” by Thomas Chisholm.

 

  1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
    Striving to please Him in all that I do;
    Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
    This is the pathway of blessing for me.
  1. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
    Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
    Such love constrains me to answer His call,
    Follow His leading and give Him my all.
  2. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
    Doing each duty in His holy Name;
    Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
    Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
  3. Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
    My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
    Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
    Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

 

May we look for opportunities today to live in the light of His love, taking the name of Jesus with us and sharing Him with all we meet.

 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

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