God's Holy Fire: 'Restore that Person Gently'

Friday, July 4, 2025

Your Support is Needed

Donations are vital to help us keep the light shining!

 Donate Now
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.
— Galatians 6:1 NIV

Key Thought

Spiritual people are those who live under the influence of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25). They then "Spirit-naturally" produce the Spirit's fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23). When "someone is caught in a sin," then these spiritual people should help restore that person back to Jesus and life in Jesus. But they are to do this restoring gently - living out the love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from the Holy Spirit. The goal of restoration is not to win a point or prove superiority; it is to lead a wandering soul back to Jesus. At the same time, we must understand our own vulnerability to succumb to temptation and to being led away from our walk with Jesus. Such understanding helps us to be firm and passionate about restoration, but also tender and loving with those who have lost their way.

Today's Prayer

O Father, as I think of people who are in spiritual trouble, I pray especially for ... Please use me in restoring them to Jesus and to his family of believers. As I work toward this goal, I pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work in me and for the Spirit's fruit to be always displayed in me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Galatians 6:1
Devo: Today's Verse
"If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."
Help, Not Hurt
Devo: Together in Christ
"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the..."
Watch Yourself
Illustration of Galatians 6:1
Inspirational illustration of Galatians 6:1 -- If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
The Ultimate Cop-out
Article by Rubel Shelly
How can you explain this away so nonchalantly? A mother's lame explanation for child abuse makes us realize how easy and horrible it is to explain away our own responsibility.
See All 7 Related Resources about Galatians 6:1

Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 6:1 NIV — 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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, July 4, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Brother Lawrence:
"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Rejoice! and Pray!' (Ph. 4:4-7)
"Dear Father, forbearing God, Let me rejoice in the Lord always! Again I ask this from you: Let me rejoice always! Let me be gentle, open to reason,....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Outsiders and Insiders, Rejoice Together!'
"Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do! For instance: Then I'll join outsiders in a hymn-sing; I'll sing to your name! And..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'A Life of Humility Exalts the Righteous'
"Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’..."

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