“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:16-24 NLT
Lord Saviour and Father,
The letter to the Galatians does not just give Jewish believers freedom from the Law and gentiles the freedom not to learn it. It shows them the fulfilled law which comes by Your Holy Spirit showing them how to live. Paul does not mince his words. Immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties are out. And we know that all these start with a small step from the narrow way that Jesus talked about (Matthew 7:13-14). A second look. Feeding anger. Not being contented . . . they could not and we cannot say we have not been warned.
But judgement comes with generosity and the help to live right. Paul makes sure they know what takes the place of sin if they keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law to limit these to where and when! And we should not become conceited that we have You and Your Spirit – rather we should desire that others have Your Spirit and the fruit too (Galatians 6:1-10). If I have nailed my passions and desires to the cross – why do I desire to take them back? Yet on occasions I know I do in a moment of selfishness . . . We each have different temptations and weaknesses to keep us humble and on our knees. Help us to help each other too.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 24th November 2025
No apologies this worship has been included more than any other this year.
Holy Spirit, living breath of God
Breathe new life into my willing soul
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole
Cause Your Word to come alive in me
Give me faith for what I cannot see
Give me passion for Your purity
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me
Holy Spirit, come abide within
May Your joy be seen in all I do
Love enough to cover every sin
In each thought and deed and attitude
Kindness to the greatest and the least
Gentleness that sows the path of peace
Turn my strivings into works of grace
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do
Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth
Giving life to all that God has made
Show Your power once again on earth
Cause Your church to hunger for your ways
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see
Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” New American standard Bible.
Lyrics: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.