Galatians 5:25-26

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”

While I was leading our family devotional last night on yesterday’s LOVING ONE ANOTHER, one thing became glaringly obvious: all six of us know what Scripture teaches about loving one another well. Odds are good that your family “gets it” as well…so what’s the problem? Today’s verse provides some painful insight.

The main problem any of us face when it comes to family unity is not the sibling or the parent or the spouse…it’s us. We so easily “become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another,” don’t we? The Book of James (4:1-2) makes it abundantly clear:

Why do you fight and quarrel? It is because your feelings are fighting inside of you. That is why you fight. You want something but you cannot get it.

When it’s “all about me” it can never be “all about us” or “all about God.” Self-centeredness (I want what I want) and self-righteousness (it’s not MY fault) will ALWAYS lead to fights and quarrels and disunity. Paul’s answer is straight from God’s lips to our ears:

Follow the leading of the Spirit! He has shown you what is right. He has shown you what is beautiful. He has shown you the way that leads to peace in your home. It’s time to put away the “me” and pursue the “us.”

APPLICATION: Discuss how focusing on ourselves causes fights in our families. Find some examples of when a situation went wrong…and discuss how applying today’s verse could have made it go the right way. Pray for the strength and desire to follow the Spirit’s leading!