May 4, 2026

LIVE IN HOLINESS AND HONOR

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

People often ask for help discerning "God's will." They want to know which college to attend, which job to take, or which person to marry. While those are important, Paul gives us the most direct answer to that question right here: God’s will for your life is holiness.

Here are three ways that holiness takes shape in our daily lives:

1. A Set-Apart Identity  

The word for holiness is often translated as "sanctified," which literally means to be "set apart." As followers of Christ, we are called to be different from the culture around us. In Paul’s day, the Roman Empire was marked by moral chaos, making the Christian message of holy living radical. The same is true today. God’s plan is for us to stay free from anything that tarnishes His image in our lives.

2. The Protection of the Fire  

God created sex for two beautiful purposes: the procreation of the race and the pleasure of marriage partners. I often use the illustration of fire: fire is wonderful for keeping us warm and cooking our food, but it must be contained. In a fireplace, it’s a blessing; outside the fireplace, it burns the house down. God’s boundaries regarding sexual sin are not meant to restrict us, but to protect the "house" of our lives and families from destruction.

3. The Muscle of Self-Control  

We cannot allow our feelings to determine our behavior. If we did, we’d never keep a job, we’d be hopelessly in debt, and our health would fail. We go to work when we don’t feel like it, and we say "no" to a second piece of cake to protect our hearts. I’ve discovered that self-control is muscle discipline in one area and leads to strength in others. When we are consistent in prayer and the Word, it becomes much easier to be disciplined in our physical drives.

Today’s Reflection

• The Distinction: Is there anything about your lifestyle that marks you as "set apart" for God, or have you blended into the patterns of the world?

• The Fireplace: Are you honoring God’s boundaries in your relationships? Is there an area where the "fire" has moved outside the safety of the fireplace?

• The Discipline: Where do you need the Holy Spirit to strengthen your self-control today? Remember, small victories in one area will lead to major breakthroughs in another.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I want to live a holy life. Help me to stand apart from the patterns of this culture so that my life honors You. Show me any area where I need to adjust my actions and empower me to live with honor and self-control. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”