Devotional Thoughts for the Week of November 9, 2025 - A Little Bit Matters
(Guest Author: Michele Gillespie)
This past week I listened to a sermon titled “Just a Little Bit,” and it was both powerful and deeply challenging. The minister also gave it a secondary title “Acceptable Sin.” That phrase really caught my attention. As I reflected on the message, my own life, and the culture we live in, I realized how easy it is to allow “small” sins to slip into my life, sometimes without even noticing. The values and norms of our culture can be incredibly contagious, and before we know it, we’ve drifted into the disease of casual Christianity. It takes very little effort to live a lukewarm life. In Revelation 3:15–16, Jesus says: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
It’s clear that our Lord desires a wholehearted commitment, a life on fire for Him. He doesn’t want us straddling the fence, one foot in the world and one foot in His kingdom. Today, it’s not always popular to talk about sin in church. We often focus on grace, and yes, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). His grace is real and abundant, and our salvation is a free gift we can never earn. But I sometimes wonder how much we truly cherish that gift.
Two truths can exist together: we are completely forgiven / redeemed and we are called to live a holy life, a life worthy of our calling. Not a perfect life, because perfection is impossible, but an intentional life that pursues holiness. Scripture makes this calling clear:
So what does it actually mean to live a holy life? When I looked up the word holiness, I found that it means to be set apart, separated from the world and its corrupting influences. Holiness flows from a transformed heart, rooted in faith, obedience, and love, love for God, for others, and for ourselves.
Living a holy life means walking in integrity, being honest, and striving to avoid sin. It means pursuing purity and aligning our lives with the standards of God’s Word. It also means maintaining a constant spiritual connection with God, abiding in Him, seeking Him, and longing to know Him more. That sounds like a tall order and it is! But thankfully, we are not doing it on our own. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, always ready to help, empower, and guide us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and righteousness, gives us power to live in a way that honors God, and strengthens us to resist temptation. He shapes our thoughts and actions so we can live according to God’s Word. He does the work in us and through us if we let him! Scripture reminds us of this truth:
Spirit are against the flesh.”
another.”
So now that we understand what a holy life looks like and that the Spirit empowers us to
live it, what can we lay down today that’s holding us back from God’s best? Often, it’s the little things: Maybe we envy a neighbor’s new car. Maybe we feel resentment toward a coworker who got the promotion we wanted. Maybe we failed to keep a promise. Maybe we let a lustful thought linger, or told a “white lie” to protect ourselves. The list could go on, but the point is simple—even the small things matter. Ask God to search your heart and show you what needs to change. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the “little bits” that have crept in unnoticed and to replace them with His holiness, peace, and power.
(Guest Author: Michele Gillespie)
This past week I listened to a sermon titled “Just a Little Bit,” and it was both powerful and deeply challenging. The minister also gave it a secondary title “Acceptable Sin.” That phrase really caught my attention. As I reflected on the message, my own life, and the culture we live in, I realized how easy it is to allow “small” sins to slip into my life, sometimes without even noticing. The values and norms of our culture can be incredibly contagious, and before we know it, we’ve drifted into the disease of casual Christianity. It takes very little effort to live a lukewarm life. In Revelation 3:15–16, Jesus says: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
It’s clear that our Lord desires a wholehearted commitment, a life on fire for Him. He doesn’t want us straddling the fence, one foot in the world and one foot in His kingdom. Today, it’s not always popular to talk about sin in church. We often focus on grace, and yes, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). His grace is real and abundant, and our salvation is a free gift we can never earn. But I sometimes wonder how much we truly cherish that gift.
Two truths can exist together: we are completely forgiven / redeemed and we are called to live a holy life, a life worthy of our calling. Not a perfect life, because perfection is impossible, but an intentional life that pursues holiness. Scripture makes this calling clear:
- 1 Peter 1:15: “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
- Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;
So what does it actually mean to live a holy life? When I looked up the word holiness, I found that it means to be set apart, separated from the world and its corrupting influences. Holiness flows from a transformed heart, rooted in faith, obedience, and love, love for God, for others, and for ourselves.
Living a holy life means walking in integrity, being honest, and striving to avoid sin. It means pursuing purity and aligning our lives with the standards of God’s Word. It also means maintaining a constant spiritual connection with God, abiding in Him, seeking Him, and longing to know Him more. That sounds like a tall order and it is! But thankfully, we are not doing it on our own. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, always ready to help, empower, and guide us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and righteousness, gives us power to live in a way that honors God, and strengthens us to resist temptation. He shapes our thoughts and actions so we can live according to God’s Word. He does the work in us and through us if we let him! Scripture reminds us of this truth:
- Galatians 5:16–17: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the
Spirit are against the flesh.”
- John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”
- Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the
- 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the
another.”
So now that we understand what a holy life looks like and that the Spirit empowers us to
live it, what can we lay down today that’s holding us back from God’s best? Often, it’s the little things: Maybe we envy a neighbor’s new car. Maybe we feel resentment toward a coworker who got the promotion we wanted. Maybe we failed to keep a promise. Maybe we let a lustful thought linger, or told a “white lie” to protect ourselves. The list could go on, but the point is simple—even the small things matter. Ask God to search your heart and show you what needs to change. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the “little bits” that have crept in unnoticed and to replace them with His holiness, peace, and power.
