A short devotional reflection on trusting the Holy Spirit instead of depending on our own strength.
Many of us begin the Christian life with deep dependence on God, but over time we can slip into trying to carry ourselves by effort alone. Galatians 3:3 lovingly calls us back to the freedom of living by faith.
In Galatians 3:3, Paul asks, “After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” It is a piercing question. He is speaking to believers who had started by trusting Christ, yet were being tempted to rely on their own efforts to grow spiritually. Paul reminds them—and us—that the Christian life does not begin with grace and then continue by self-reliance. We begin by faith, and we must continue by faith.
Paul points to Abraham as the example. Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God, not because he performed religious works. The same is true for us. God’s Spirit is received by faith, and His work in us continues by faith as well. Human discipline has value, but it can never replace the power of the Holy Spirit. When we depend more on performance than on God, our faith can become dry, heavy, and joyless.
This matters deeply for us today. It is easy to measure spiritual growth by how much we do, how disciplined we are, or how well we appear to be doing. But God calls us to something deeper than outward effort. He calls us to daily dependence—to trust Him, obey Him, and walk closely with His Spirit. The safest path forward is the same as the first step: simple, humble faith in Christ.
Lord, keep us from trusting in our own strength. Teach us to rely on Your Spirit, just as we did when we first believed. Protect us from empty effort and draw us back to the joy of simple faith. Help us to walk with humility, dependence, and trust each day. Amen.
Minister A Francine Green, May 2026