How to Start the Year Spirit-Led, Not Emotion-Led | DAY 3 DEVOTIONAL

Morning Emphasis: Choose the leadership of the Holy Spirit over the pull of your emotions today.

You know, very often, especially at the beginning of a new year, strong emotions tend to surface. Hope, pressure, excitement, or fear of repeating past mistakes. 

Emotions themselves are not sinful, but they were never meant to lead or take over. Scripture reminds us that our lives are to be directed by the Spirit of God, not governed by fluctuating feelings.

Romans 8:14, KJV “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”. 

Have you ever questioned whether you are growing in Christ? 

How do you know that you are better ambassadors for Christ today? 

That’s an important question, because as Christians, we cannot be the same old, same old grumpy and miserable family member or friend. We cannot be stagnant in our walk with God. We cannot continue to handle our challenges in the same manner that has not yielded good results in the past.

Sounds pretty simple. And in fact, we all know this.

But it takes a level of spiritual maturity that many of us quite frankly lack. And I am trying to get there, where I do not get flustered when people get on my nerves. I must be like Jesus.

And so I am telling myself and you as well, Family, that spiritual maturity is not revealed by intensity of feeling, but by submission to divine guidance. What would Jesus do? And do that.

Certainly, we realise by now, though, that we cannot do anything without God.

A powerful example of this contrast is seen in Moses. 

When Moses first encountered God at the burning bush, fear and self-doubt immediately surfaced. He focused on his limitations, his speech, and his past failures (Exodus 3–4). 

If he followed his mind, as some of us would say, and very often that’s our emotions or our flesh talking, Moses would have turned right back. But the Spirit of God called him forward. 

What did his emotions tell him?

Moses did not feel he was ready, yet he obeyed. His leadership was not fueled by confidence, but by surrender. As Moses followed God step by step, his emotions eventually aligned with God’s calling.

Contrast that with Peter, who often acted from emotion rather than spiritual discernment. 

In Matthew 14:28–31 KJV, we read: “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Peter stepped out of the boat in faith, but when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the wind and waves, fear took over, and he began to sink. 

Later, driven by fear again, Peter denied Jesus three times. That account is in Luke 22:54–62.  

Remember now, this was the same Peter who saw the miracles, walked with Jesus daily, heard His teachings firsthand, and even declared that he would never deny Him. Yet in moments when fear was allowed to lead, his actions shifted away from what he knew to be true.

We see after Pentecost, when Peter was filled and led by the Holy Spirit, his impulsiveness was transformed into bold, steady leadership. This is exactly what we need as children of God: to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that truly, we can walk in the light of The Word of God.

We read in Acts 2:14 KJV: “'But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:”

Then in Acts 4:13 KJV: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

The same man, different leadership source.

These accounts, Family, reveal an important truth for us today: emotion-led living reacts first and reflects later, while Spirit-led living listens first and moves with clarity. 

This is why Scripture urges us in Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths”.

And Proverbs 16:3 KJV “Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established.” 

Commitment here is not symbolic; it is actual surrender. When we place our plans, schedules, relationships, and goals into God’s hands, He stabilises our thinking and aligns our emotions with His will.

The apostle Paul reinforces this principle when he writes, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh… so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17 KJV). 

What we should remember, always, Family, is that when we allow our feelings to get the better of us, we will be pulled in all sorts of directions. But when we give in to the Holy Spirit, we are led toward life and peace.

Romans 8:6 KJV “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

This is why believers are also instructed to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16 KJV) and to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

What are we saying here today, then? 

To start the year Spirit-led means we pause before reacting, pray before deciding, and seek God’s direction before committing emotionally. It means asking not only “How do I feel about this?” but “What is God saying?” 

As Jesus Himself demonstrated, “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (John 8:28 KJV).

Family, as this year unfolds, the greatest reset is not external but internal. 

How about us focusing some more on ourselves, choosing daily to submit our emotions, plans, and expectations to the leadership of the Holy Spirit? 

Let me hasten to add that there must also be occasion to help a brother or a sister along the way as well. But what I’m suggesting is that the best help is demonstrated by the life we live.

See, when the Spirit leads, peace replaces pressure (Philippians 4:6–7), clarity replaces confusion (Psalm 32:8), and obedience produces fruit that endures (John 15:5).

And it is from that place of inner alignment that a true spiritual reset takes place, one that shapes how we live, how we respond, and how we walk with God each day. 

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