Furious Chapter 27 Devotional

Stop Eating People!

In Greek mythology, Cronus, the king of the Titans, received a chilling prophecy: one of his children would rise up and overthrow him. Terrified of losing power, Cronus did the unthinkable—he devoured his own sons and daughters as soon as they were born. One by one, he swallowed them whole, believing that if he consumed them, he could preserve his rule. But in trying to protect himself, he destroyed his own future.

This haunting myth is a vivid picture of what Paul is warning against in Galatians 5.

Instead of building one another up in love, the Galatians were “biting and devouring” one another. It was spiritual cannibalism—jealousy, division, competition, slander—and it was threatening to destroy their community from the inside out.

And here’s the tragedy: they weren’t being persecuted from the outside. They were consuming themselves.

Legalism breeds pride, competition, insecurity, and fear. It puts people on a treadmill of religious performance, then pits them against one another in subtle spiritual one-upmanship. That’s why Paul is so serious about the contrast: “You’ve been called to live in freedom. But not the kind that indulges the flesh. Use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

Here’s the key distinction: To devour someone is to use them for your benefit. To serve is to give yourself for someone else’s benefit. One consumes. The other sacrifices. And Paul doesn’t leave it abstract. He echoes Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Wherever believers begin devouring one another, spiritual rot sets in. We stop fulfilling the law of Christ. We stop walking in freedom. And the body of Christ suffers.

That’s why we must guard against it with vigilance—and fight it with love.

🔥 Reflection

Have you been biting, devouring, or feeding off others emotionally, spiritually, or relationally? Are there places where comparison, criticism, or pride have crept in? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you—and ask Him to replace it with love.

🙏 Prayer

Father, forgive me for the times I’ve torn others down instead of building them up. Cleanse me from pride, jealousy, and judgment. Teach me to use my freedom to serve, not to consume. Let me love others as You have loved me. Amen.

📣 Call-to-Action

Look for one opportunity this week to love someone who’s been hard to love. Maybe it’s a sibling, a church member, or someone who has wronged you. Don’t bite—bless. Don’t devour—serve. Show the world what love looks like.