Week 40: How does God help me to do what’s right?

This quarter, Family Time will explore how to be more like Jesus by growing spiritual fruit. When we listen to the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts and obey what He says, the “fruit of the Spirit” will grow in our lives. Choosing to obey God is always right, but it’s not always easy – is it? Even the Apostle Paul sometimes struggled between choosing good over evil. Let’s see what we can learn from Paul to help us choose right over wrong.

Be ready to read the following passages:

Let’s start it.

How can you tell the hero from the villain in one of your favorite stories?

Let’s learn it.

Many of our favorite stories lead to a clash between a hero and a villain, between good and evil. Have you ever noticed a struggle between right and wrong going on inside your own heart and mind? Galatians 5:16-23 gives a great description of the conflict between our sinful nature and the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of every Christ follower. Take time to read that passage together as a family now.

Did you notice the differences between what the Holy Spirit leads you to do versus what your sinful nature wants? Paul points out the difference between what’s right (the fruit of the Spirit) and what’s wrong (our sinful self): love versus hatred, joy versus rage, peace versus conflict, patience versus selfishness, and kindness versus jealousy. So you might wonder, “Why don’t we simply choose to do what’s right?” To find the answer, ask a family member to read Romans 7:18-23.

Choosing good over evil doesn’t come naturally to us as human beings. No matter how much you want to do the right thing, it’s a struggle to choose right over wrong time after time. Why? Because we’re all born with a sinful nature. So what should we do? Turn back to Galatians 5 in your Bibles and have someone read verses 24-25.

God gives us the power to choose what’s right! Jesus always does what’s right because He is perfect. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, then His Spirit lives inside of you – giving you the power to choose right over wrong. It won’t always be easy, but the Holy Spirit will help you if you allow Him to.

Let’s discuss it.

  1. When was the last time you had to choose between doing what was right or doing something wrong?
  2. Describe ways you can show the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) instead of your old self (vs. 19-21) this week.

Let’s do it.

All of our favorite storybook heroes pale in comparison to Jesus. He is the ultimate protector of all that is right and good. That means that Satan is the ultimate villain. Do you want some good news? Jesus defeated Satan when He paid the price for our sin on the Cross. The struggle going on inside of you between right and wrong is proof that you belong to Jesus Christ. His Spirit and your old nature are at war. You have a choice to make each day. Your words and actions will display either your old nature or your new nature as a follower of Christ.

If you have never decided to follow Jesus, then you don’t feel the conflict we’ve been talking about. Would you like to receive Jesus as your Savior right now? It’s simple really – just confess to Him that you are a sinner and choose to accept His death on the Cross as the payment for your sin. Close this week’s devotion with a time of prayer, inviting any member of the family who doesn’t know Jesus to begin following Him today!

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