God's Holy Fire: 'Confirmation'

Sunday, April 20, 2025

I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit ...

Key Thought

We often use hyperbole to make an emphatic point about something that is important to us. Hyperbole is an overstatement meant to get other people's attention. The words of hyperbole can even be jarring to help others understand the emotions behind the words spoken. Paul is about to make an incredibly shocking statement about being willing to be cut off from Christ if it would mean that his own people, the Jews, would know Jesus as their Messiah and Lord (Romans 9:1-5). But, Paul has done his own spiritual inventory: What he says is NOT hyperbole or exaggeration. He means it with all of his heart, and the Holy Spirit confirms it. As The Message puts it, "I'm not exaggerating - Christ and the Holy Spirit are my witnesses." Since the Holy Spirit lives within us and works with our consciences to convict us of sin, to help us discern God's truth when it is proclaimed, and to confirm God's truth within us, Paul can speak with assurance that what he says is the truth. We might stretch the truth to each other, but we cannot lie to the Spirit who lives within us.

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to speak the truth in love. I know that I need the convicting, comforting, and confirming Holy Spirit to be at work in my heart so that my words are true and redemptive. I ask for this grace in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Romans 9:1 NIV — I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit ...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 20, 2025

A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Friend, I want you to learn to rejoice in Our work in you. We — Father, Son, and Spirit — delight in your obedience and service to....."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn't realize it was actually happening. They passed..."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater,..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, holy unscornable God, Don't let me be deceived, my God, for I know that no one can mock you with impunity. For whatever a person sows..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.