Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

August 18, 2025 

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. 

Today’s devotion is written by Karen Wardle. 

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 ESV). 

Self-control is not merely about willpower. It is a fruit of the Spirit—evidence that we are walking in step with the Holy Spirit, not being dragged along by our flesh or the world around us. Galatians 5:25 calls us to a deliberate, Spirit-led walk, a life where even the smallest decision matters.

I remember the day my Christian high school closed. The sudden shift into a public-school setting was like being thrown into deep water. One day, a group of my Christian girlfriends invited me to go “visiting” at a nearby army base. At the time, I did not fully understand what they meant. I was young, naive, and I wanted to fit in. 

The peer pressure was intense. They pushed hard, and I genuinely wanted to be accepted. But in the middle of my confusion, the Holy Spirit stirred within me. A quiet yet firm voice in my mind said, “Don’t go.” I hesitated. I wanted to ignore it. But after wrestling with temptation, I told them no. 

The cost was real. Some of those friendships cooled overnight. Yet in hindsight, that single moment of Spirit-led self-control protected me from so much heartache. Over the years, many of those same friends went down dark and painful paths, slowly drifting from Christ. 

Sisters, we cannot afford to walk according to the flesh. The world will entice us, peers will pressure us, and our own hearts will sometimes betray us. But the Spirit never lies. He speaks to guide us. And when we choose to obey, even in the small moments, we are keeping in step with Him. 

Self-control may feel like a loss in the moment, but it is an eternal gain. It is not about being strong on our own but about yielding to the Spirit who is strong in us. 

Ask Him today: “Lord, help me walk in step with You. Strengthen my self-control that I may live a life that honors You.” 

And He will. 

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OHSOFREE Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com.