God's Holy Fire: 'Spirit-Inspired Songs'

Monday, August 3, 2026

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
— Colossians 3:16 NIV

Key Thought

Many translations use the term "spiritual songs" and so we miss an important connection. From the viewpoint of the early believers and New Testament writers, for anything to be truly "spiritual," it had to involve the Holy Spirit. Worship, including singing, offers the Holy Spirit a great place to be active in our lives and the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we sing (Ephesians 5:17-20). Whether in worship times that are large or small, formal or informal, in a church building or in a private place, let's ask for the Holy Spirit to be active, powerfully moving and inspiring us as we worship!

Today's Prayer

God Almighty, thank you for giving us music! Singing moves my heart and inspires me to action. Wherever I find myself worshiping in song, I ask that your Holy Spirit will be active in my heart to inspire me to holy living, ministry, and compassion. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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12 Related Resources by Heartlight

Colossians 3:16
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with..."
Colossians 3:16
Devo: Today's Verse
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with..."
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Illustration of Colossians 3:16
Inspirational illustration of Colossians 3:16 -- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
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Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Let Christ's peace rule in our hearts. Let us be at peace in his one body. Fill our hearts and mouths with overflowing thanksgiving. Let..."
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Illustration

Illustration of Colossians 3:16 NIV — Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

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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.

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