DATE POSTED: Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. Please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org to find and read all episodes shared over the years.
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:9-11 ~ 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
DEVOTIONAL: In our previous study, we examined the contrast between being carnally minded and being Spirit-led. Paul now expands upon that truth by explaining that every genuine believer possesses the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s presence within us is not merely a blessing added to salvation; it is evidence that we belong to Jesus Christ.
Paul makes a sobering and vital point in verse 9: if someone refuses to be controlled by the Spirit of God, it raises a much bigger question—do they actually belong to the Lord Jesus Christ? Have they sought Him out, accepted His call to salvation, and allowed Him to be the Lord of their life? If you find yourself still walking in old, sinful patterns or habitually giving in to carnally minded ways, perhaps you should pause for a quiet, honest conversation with yourself. Ask God to help you examine your heart to see if you truly made that 180-degree turn when you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Making a 180-degree turn means that at some point, you confessed Jesus as Lord, committed to following His path, and left your old world of sin behind. Repentance is more than reciting a prayer or repeating words spoken by someone else. It is a turning from a life ruled by sin and a turning toward Christ as Savior and Lord. While believers certainly still struggle with sin, be reminded today that He placed the Holy Spirit within you to prompt you, guide you, and be your constant companion as you walk with Christ. The pattern and desire of their lives become different because God’s Spirit now lives within them.
Now, if you are a believer, but you feel like the Holy Spirit isn’t very active or alive in your day-to-day life, perhaps you may have forgotten the instruction Paul gives in Ephesians 5:18: “…Be filled with the Spirit.” While the Holy Spirit permanently indwells every believer, we must daily yield ourselves to His leadership and influence.
Friend, I believe you will cultivate a much deeper personal relationship with God—and hear the Holy Spirit’s guidance much more clearly—if you make these three habits a daily priority:
- Meditate on the Word of God: Choose a few verses and truly allow God to speak to your heart through His Word.
- Commune with God in prayer: As the old hymn reminds us, it’s always a good time to “have a little talk with Jesus”!
- Assemble with other believers in worship: Go to church, be obedient to God’s Word, and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ, while they also bless you.
I especially love Paul’s closing reminder in verse 11: “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.”
Pause and consider that truth. The same divine power that raised Christ from the grave now dwells within every child of God. And just as Jesus was raised in victory, believers have the assurance that one day our mortal bodies will also be raised by the power of God. What a glorious hope we possess through Christ!
TODAY’S CHALLENGE: There is one physical certainty we will all face: these mortal bodies will eventually pass away. Take a few moments today to consider the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. Are you listening for His voice through Scripture? Are you yielding to His direction? Are you drawing near to God through prayer and fellowship with other believers?
Never forget that the Holy Spirit who lives within you is not distant or inactive. He is continually working to lead you toward Christlikeness and prepare you for the day when you will stand before your Savior. Walk closely with Him today, my friend.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that You have not left us alone, but have placed Your Holy Spirit within every believer. Help us to walk in obedience to His leading and to be sensitive to His voice each day.
Lord, reveal any areas of our lives where we have drifted from Your will. Draw us closer to You through Your Word, through prayer, and through fellowship with other believers. Remind us that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead now lives within us and is at work transforming us into His image.
May our lives reflect Your presence and bring glory to Your name. We thank You for the hope of resurrection and eternal life that is ours through Jesus Christ.
In His precious name we pray, Amen.
Next Steps & Resources
- Taking a Step of Faith? If today’s devotional prompted a decision in your heart, visit the To Know Jesus page, speak with a local Bible-teaching pastor, or reach out to me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray you find help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Christ.
- Explore & Subscribe: Browse past devotionals or sign up for daily email updates at NuggetsFromGodsWord.org.
- Find Community: I warmly encourage you to join a local Bible-teaching church. Gathering with fellow believers is essential for growing in faith, finding encouragement, and serving others as God works through His church.
