January 31: Galatians 5 19-26

Key Verse: Galatians 5 25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Devotion:
As we round off the first month of the year we round off our walk with Christ in these verses. I guess we all do know what the ways of the world are – if not then we must have our heads buried deep under ground! But how many of us can recount the fruits of the spirit as given in these verses? With my youth work I learned a couple of songs about the fruits of the spirit and cannot help singing the fruits in my mind when anyone asks!

Sometimes that is what we all need in our lives; a song which will bring the words of the Lord back to us and allow us to focus on them, celebrating them with Christ in worship. There are some amazing words in the old hymnals we have spread through our churches, but there are also many modern songs which also pick up on the words in our bibles and allow us to remember them just as well. I love singing both modern worship songs as well as hymns from our past – because they all help me to remember God’s words and draw me closer to God in my daily walk.

There are many worldly laws against the ways of the world: sexual immorality, hatred etc, but there are no laws which prevent us from showing and sharing the fruits of the spirit. Showing and sharing love is listed first because it is so important; Jesus made sure we knew that too. The list ends with gentleness and self-control being the focus on ourselves and through which we can work toward love.

We live with the Holy Spirit and to get the most out of this life with Him, we need to make sure we walk in step with Him! I saw a wonderful film clip recently of some young people trying to march or walk in step with each other from when I was a child (back in the 70s!) It takes practice to be able to walk in step with others, especially when you are the one trying to keep in step with them. But through practice, we get better at it and become an example through which others can be encouraged. Practice walking with the Spirit and you will be that example too.

Points to Ponder:
What is your lifestyle like?

Will you try and walk in step with the Holy Spirit in February?