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

Sunday, August 3, 2025

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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

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..."
Word of Christ
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.
In the Name of Jesus
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..."
See All 12 Related Resources about Colossians 3:16

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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, August 3, 2025

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Avery D. Miller:
"My liberty as a Christian should always be supremely shackled by the love I am commanded to have towards another."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Travel Was Hard' (Acts 27:4-9)
"Putting out to sea from [Sidon], we encountered strong headwinds that made it difficult to keep the ship on course, so we sailed north of Cyprus..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Isaiah 54:12
"The church is most instructively symbolized by a building erected by heavenly power, and designed by divine skill. Such a spiritual house must not be...."

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations