For God's Glory

When we are driving anywhere, whether on a short or a long trip, there are roadside signs and signals revealing important information, instructions, and directions: speed limits, slow, stop, give way, keep left, turn right to such and such, freeway starts, freeway ends, and so on. As I habitually conform to and live by these road signs and signals, I find, for the most part, they keep my trips smooth running, within the law, pleasant, easy, comfortable, and safe.

It is always the same as we surrender and conform to God's Word.

Galatians 5:16 – So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (NIV)

As we live by the Holy Spirit and let Him habitually work in us and through us, the work we do becomes who we are. Whatever God has worked in us is real; it is not a facade. It is His supernatural work, which becomes natural over time — the fruit of His Spirit.

Consciously or unconsciously, we are constantly sending out signs and signals: positive, negative, or neutral. Wherever we are, whomever we are with, we are communicating something all the time. Through the Holy Spirit, we can learn to assess how our verbal and non-verbal speech affects others.

We all understand the significance of a smile, a frown, a nod, or a shake of the head, but there are more subtle gestures, which we can learn to read skilfully and evaluate. We can then better relate and communicate.

1 Corinthians 10:31b – Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (NIV)

To inspire confidence, openness, and warmth, we need to make encouraging eye contact easily, keep the body relaxed in a non-threatening posture, and try not to invade other people's reserved space. Just by relaxing in the work and movements of the Holy Spirit, we can reveal the fruit of the Spirit, as well as dispel nervousness, tension, ill feeling, and agitation.

Galatians 5:22-23,25 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIV)

Prayer: Thank You, holy Father, for Your Word, which always informs us of positive and negative conduct, and the fruit and expression of the Holy Spirit. We want to walk and live by Your Spirit, for Your glory, Lord. In Jesus' loving name, we praise and thank You. Amen and Amen.

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