Today's Verse: Galatians 5:16

Wednesday, January 16, 1946

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Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
— Galatians 5:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I don't want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with blue wings. Now quit. I don't want you to think about it anymore. You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much less one that flies on blue wings. Oh course the point is simple: the more we try to not do something, the more we focus on it and insure we do what we are not supposed to do. That's why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so important. He enables and empowers us to move beyond our sin - not by focusing on it and refusing it, but by enriching us and "distracting" us with the important things of God.

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Abba Father, I thank you so much for your Holy Spirit that lives in me and is now interceding with you for me. Please fill me with your Spirit so that my life more nearly reflects your will and focuses on your concerns. Through Jesus, who poured out your Spirit upon me at my baptism, I pray. Amen.

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9 Related Resources by Heartlight

Galatians 5:16
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
Let the Holy Spirit Guide Your Lives!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."
Live by the Spirit
Illustration of Galatians 5:16
Inspirational illustration of Galatians 5:16 -- Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
The Flesh Versus the Spirit
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, giver of your Spirit, Help me to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of my flesh. For the desires of my flesh are opposed to...."
See All 9 Related Resources about Galatians 5:16

Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:16 — Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, January 16, 1946

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Transformed with Ever-increasing Glory'
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate [and reflect] the Lord's..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Undivided, Indivisible' (Ph. 2:1-2)
"Dear Father, One God of your one holy people, Help me never to be a party to any division within the body of Christ. Let me be perfectly united in..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Take that Silver Away?' (Mt. 25:28-30)
"[Jesus continued his story about the servants entrusted with different amounts of money while the master was on a trip. Concerning the servant who..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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