Based on “Great Relationships” by Pastor Dave Folkerts; 5/12-13/12,
Message #DF165; Daily Devotional #5 - “Transforming Our Habits”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:19-23) Jesus made the sacrifice on the cross to pay the penalty for the selfish habits and sinful attitudes of our past. In addition to paying the penalty for our sin, God also intends to change us so that we can become more like His son, Jesus, and enjoy what the Word calls Fruit of the Spirit during our time on earth.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Corinthians 12:13) The Holy Spirit begins to dwell in us at the moment of conversion and forms the bond between all Christ followers and Jesus. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14) The presence of the Holy Spirit is both God's seal of ownership and the guarantee of our salvation. The process of replacing ungodly habits with Godly fruit like love, patience, forgiveness and self-control is done through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Galatians we are told to …keep in step with the spirit. (Galatians 5:25) As Christ followers, we walk in the Spirit by praying for understanding and strength and then submitting to the will of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. In addition to prayer, we are to seek God’s instruction through the Bible on a daily basis. The truth of God’s Word will renew our minds, and as we begin to think and respond to the world in a Godly manner, we allow ourselves to be changed. This leads the Christ follower to stop using others and start serving others, replace getting with giving and build people up with words instead of lashing out at those around us. Through this transformation we begin to experience the joy that God intended for us. Although God empowers us to change, we still have to choose to exercise Godly habits and submit ourselves to the will of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): This week, pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you so that you can know God’s will for your life. Take a moment in meditation and pray that you would see yourself as people in the world see you. Do you still speak untruthfully, steal, attack others with your words, or use people for your personal gain? Are you at the center of your world, or is Jesus? These can be tough questions to answer, but we can never experience the joy God wants for us if we are not reacting to the world in the Godly manner that Jesus intends.

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 8:28-29; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Timothy 4:7
WK

Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.