- Heart Motives
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. – Galatians 5:25
How do you follow the directive in today’s verse to “keep in step with the Spirit?” Previous verses in the passage state, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). When you commit your life to Jesus, you relinquish keeping the law as a way to salvation. Your relationship with God becomes a matter of the heart. The Holy Spirit changes your life, transforming your heart so that you are motivated to act out of love for God and others.
By His grace, you learn to walk in love, joy, and peace. You become patient, kind, and do good to others. You are able to temper your emotions and have the discipline to overcome fleshly desires. He teaches you to be faithful to God and to others. You are increasingly gentle, considering others as important as yourself. As John says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).
As you live in Christ, the motives of your heart change and you die to selfish desires and the ways of the world. You experience a fulfilling life with God the Father working everything for your good. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart today and present your life as a living sacrifice to the One who is worthy of all honor, praise, and complete devotion. Intercede for the people God has put in your life, as well as those serving in the United States government. Pray for more public officials who will keep in step with the Spirit.
Today’s Verse: Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 12:1-2, 9-21
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
