Description

The Holy Spirit fuels spiritual living. This is where freedom resides and where fruit bearing takes place. The flesh is pre-conversion to Christ living; it is a reliance on self to attain earthly security. The Spirit is post-conversion to Christ living; it is the reliance on God to attain earthly and eternal security. The priorities of Spirit and the flesh conflict, but the flesh has been put to death by faith, and the Spirit has come alive. Spiritual living submits to Christ.

Our spiritual life thrives as we daily surrender our soul to Jesus. The way we became a Christian -- by grace through faith -- is the same way we continue as a Christian. Yes, the flesh tries to flaunt its old habits as teasers for us to not trust God. But we know better -- it is better to not boast in the flesh, but to be humbled by the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirit, we are empowered to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

The Spirit brings wisdom in the moments when we are considering actions that are unwise. The Spirit brings conviction when we begin to drift from our convictions. The Spirit brings comfort when we struggle with discomfort. The Spirit leads us into God’s will when we are tempted to follow our own will. In short, the Holy Spirit is heaven’s secret to spiritual living. When we walk by the Spirit, we are everything; if we ignore the Spirit, we are nothing.

Are you looking to love better, rejoice more, and be at peace? If so, allow the Spirit to grow love, joy, and peace in the soil of your soul. God is your Gardner, and His green thumb of grace always grows an abundance of fruit. Forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all seeded by the Holy Spirit to produce lasting, luscious fruit in our soul. Fertilize with faith and then water with God’s Word.

Invite the Holy Spirit to pull out any weeds of sin from your heart, and like a kudzu plant climbs, coils and covers in a hot and humid climate, the fruit of the Spirit will cover your life in Christlike character. Your part is to have faith, and His part is to produce fruit in you. Your part is surrender, and His part is victory. Your part is prayer, and His part is answers. Your part is humility, and His part is a harvest of righteousness. Spiritual living lives by the Spirit’s power.

READ
-- Galatians 5:24-25
-- Galatians 5:16-17
-- Romans 8:9

Wisdom For Living is a new 40-day devotional from Boyd Bailey that is focused on practical, intentional, and wise living. It is set to release on March 23, 2020 so be sure to get your copy today!