Recently, I’ve been bedridden for extended periods as I recover from surgery for an infection in my toes.

As part of regaining my strength, I’ve been given a device to strengthen my breathing and lower the risk of pneumonia.

Perhaps you’ve used the device yourself. The idea is that my breathing lifts a plastic disk in a column.

It takes a bit of practice. My first impulse was to blow air out hard enough to push the disk up.

But then, I learned that the key is first to blow out all the air in my lungs. This way, I have enough room in my lungs so I can suck in a huge amount of air. This lifts the disk!

Sucking in air, instead of blowing out air, reminded me about how the Holy Spirit works.

If I rely on my own strength to breathe, the results are frustrating and ineffective. But if I rely on the power of God, I get amazing, powerful results.

Start by getting rid of—“crucifying”—“the flesh with its [sinful] passions and desires”. (Galatians 5:24). Then there’s room in your lungs and your life for you to breathe in the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22).

Therefore, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians to rid themselves of “acts of the flesh” such as:

sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21).

Blow all such evils out of your life!

Them there’ll be room in your lungs and your life to breathe in the Holy Spirit, growing the fruit of the Holy Spirit such as:

love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How do you crucify sinful passions and acts from your life? Do you succeed in crucifying them? Which ones are the hardest for you to crucify?

How do you grow fruit of the Spirit in your life, your family, your nation, and all Humanity!

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Please read my blogs “Neelix Makes Bad Choices” and “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”.