God's Holy Fire: 'The Spirit Gives Life!'

Friday, October 2, 2026

[God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
— 2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV

Key Thought

With the coming of Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit, God brought his promised new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-32). This new covenant does not revolve around the giving of a law. It is "not of the letter" of the law commanding certain behaviors, but it revolves around the purifying power of the Holy Spirit to transform us. The Spirit transforms us to be more and more like Jesus. This transformation from the Holy Spirit conforms us more and more into the holy character and compassion of God himself. God wants us to understand that the focus of the Spirit is life-giving, not law-bringing. The Spirit does what no law could ever do (Romans 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Today's Prayer

Father God, thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives me life. Conform me to your will and transform me to be like Jesus. Form in me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Inspire my passion and fan into flame the gifts you have given me by the Holy Spirit - gifts given to honor you and serve your people. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

2 Corinthians 3:6
Devo: Today's Verse
"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Letter of the Law
Illustration of 2 Corinthians 3:6
Inspirational illustration of 2 Corinthians 3:6 -- He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The New Covenant of Life
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant...."
Not of the Letter but of the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He..."
See All 7 Related Resources about 2 Corinthians 3:6

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV — [God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, October 2, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 63:1
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Remain in My Love: Obey!' (Jn. 15:9-10)
"[Jesus continued,] "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Holy and Blameless' (Ep. 1:3-4)
"Dear Father, King of an eternal kingdom, Thank you for giving me the greatest motivation in life. You have called me into your kingdom, the greatest...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 12:22
"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations