“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 (NASB 1995)
Walking by the Spirit isn’t a sprint—it’s a steady, daily pace of surrender.
When Paul says “walk by the Spirit,” he means letting the Spirit govern your thoughts, words, and choices. This walk guards you against the flesh—those old patterns that still whisper, “Take the easy path.”
But walking in the Spirit is how we live free. It’s how we glorify God and live out His will, one obedient step at a time.
Reflection: Are your steps today led by the flesh or the Spirit? Ask Him to help you slow down and listen.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me walk with You today. Let every thought and step be led by You, not by my flesh. Strengthen me to obey and walk in Your freedom. Amen.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 (NASB 1995)
Children don’t just watch our words—they imitate our walk.
Paul says to walk by the Spirit so we don’t give in to the flesh. This is something we must model before we teach.
When your children see you pause to pray before reacting, or choose patience over frustration, you’re teaching them how to walk in the Spirit by example.
We’re not perfect, but we’re being made more like Christ.
Family Talk:
What does walking with the Spirit look like in our home?
Can you think of a time when we saw God help us say “no” to something wrong?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help this home to walk closely with You. Let us follow You more than our feelings, and grow in obedience and love. Amen.
“I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images.” — Isaiah 42:8 (NASB1995)
When Good Things Replace God
The Church has always been vulnerable to a subtle enemy: the glory shift.
It starts with something good:
A respected leader
A structured tradition
A theological framework
A growing ministry
But over time, what was once a vessel for God’s glory becomes the focus of it. The system gets the spotlight. The teacher becomes the authority. The institution defines truth.
And God’s glory is slowly redirected.
The Early Church Guarded God’s Glory
The Ante-Nicene Church didn’t build their identity around:
Famous bishops
Systematic theology
Church politics or titles
They built around Christ alone. The Scriptures were central. The Spirit was their teacher. Their gatherings exalted the Lord—not men.
“Let not one among you say, ‘I am of Paul’ or ‘I am of Peter.’ Christ alone is our boast.” — Ignatius of Antioch, c. AD 107
They rejected anything that threatened to take glory from God—whether it was idolatry, institutional pride, or religious elitism.
How Systems Steal Worship Today
We may not bow to graven images, but we often:
Exalt pastors or scholars as the final voice
Defend denominations more than we proclaim Christ
Quote theologians more than we quote Scripture
Celebrate ministry growth more than God’s holiness
These shifts are often unintentional. But they are real. And when left unchecked, they rob God of what belongs to Him alone.
“No man, no movement, no message is worthy of praise unless it bows at the feet of Christ.” — Athenagoras, Plea for the Christians, c. AD 177
What True Glory Looks Like
When God is rightly glorified:
His Word is honored above all
His Son is exalted above all
His Spirit is trusted in all things
His people decrease so that He increases (John 3:30)
The early Church lived with one passion: that Christ would be magnified whether by life or by death (Phil. 1:20).
A Call to Recalibrate
God will not share His glory. He is patient. He is kind. But He will not let His bride be distracted.
So let us ask:
Am I part of a system that celebrates itself more than Christ?
Is my faith shaped more by leaders and legacy than by the Word?
Do I find more joy in being right—or in being surrendered?
Kingdom Discipleship Reflection
Have I unknowingly given glory to man, movements, or institutions?
Do I speak more of church names, theological tribes, or authors than of Jesus?
Is Christ truly central—or merely included?
This week, read Isaiah 42 and Colossians 2. Ask the Spirit:
“Have I robbed God’s glory through misplaced trust or pride?”
Then return to the only One worthy of all praise:
“To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” — Romans 8:14 (NASB 1995)
The world pulls hard. Our flesh still speaks. But the one who belongs to God is led by His Spirit.
To be led means to follow—not just when it’s easy, but when it’s quiet, inconvenient, or stretching. The Spirit may lead you into unseen obedience or call you out of your comfort zone—but He never leads you into sin.
You’re not just God’s servant. You’re His daughter. And He leads His children with purpose, love, and holiness.
Reflection: Are you yielding to the Spirit’s leading, or resisting it? Ask Him to search your heart.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I belong to You. Teach me to follow, even when I don’t understand. Lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Amen.
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” — Romans 8:14 (NASB 1995)
The Christian home is meant to be led—not by emotion, or outside opinion—but by the Spirit of God.
Romans 8 reminds us that those who belong to God are led by His Spirit. That means every decision, every correction, every plan can be surrendered to His guidance.
As a mother, you’re not expected to lead perfectly. But you are called to follow His lead faithfully—and let your children see it.
Family Talk:
What does it look like to be led by God in daily life?
Is there an area we need to stop and ask for His direction?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, lead this home in truth, love, and holiness. Let us follow You closely and walk as children of the Father. Amen.
Leave a comment