God's Holy Fire: 'The Spirit Gives Life!'

Thursday, October 2, 2025

[God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Key Thought

With the coming of Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit, God brought his promised new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-32). This new covenant does not revolve around the giving of a law. It is "not of the letter" of the law commanding certain behaviors, but it revolves around the purifying power of the Holy Spirit to transform us. The Spirit transforms us to be more and more like Jesus. This transformation from the Holy Spirit conforms us more and more into the holy character and compassion of God himself. God wants us to understand that the focus of the Spirit is life-giving, not law-bringing. The Spirit does what no law could ever do (Romans 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Today's Prayer

Father God, thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives me life. Conform me to your will and transform me to be like Jesus. Form in me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Inspire my passion and fan into flame the gifts you have given me by the Holy Spirit - gifts given to honor you and serve your people. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV — [God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, October 2, 2025

A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find..."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"We cannot all do great things but we can do small things with great love.|"
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"My soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and hearken to the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with thee when thou art..."

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.