God's Holy Fire: 'Under the Influence!'

Thursday, December 31, 2026

Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ...
— Ephesians 5:17-18 NLT

Key Thought

Today we finish a year of devotionals helping us seek to live for God under the influence of his Holy Spirit. With so many pressures around us on this day and on this night, we could easily give our thoughts, behaviors, and words over to the destructive influence of alcohol or other substances or actions. Instead, let's remember our commitment to live "under the influence" of the Holy Spirit, asking him to bring God glory in what we think, do, and say!

Today's Prayer

O God, may the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, and the influence of my actions be shaped and influenced by the Holy Spirit. May I bring you glory and bring others a blessing as I close out this year. In Jesus' name, and to His glory, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

24 Related Resources by Heartlight

Living in the Spirit
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Help me to be careful about how I live. May I behave not as an unwise person but as a wise one. Help me make the most of every..."
Under the Influence
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ..."
Speaking in the Spirit
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Help me speak to my spouse, my family, your church, and the world about you and your grace. Let my heart and my mouth overflow with the...."
Living in Wisdom
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Fill me with your heavenly wisdom, which involves alertness to problems and opportunities, avoidance of addictions, fullness of your..."
See All 24 Related Resources about Ephesians 5:17-18

Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 5:17-18 NLT — Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, December 31, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 5:18-19
"May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Romans 8:28
"Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 119:130
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Woodroll Kroll:
"At times all of us experience fear. But don't allow fear to keep you from being used by God. He has kept you thus far; trust Him for the rest of the way."

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