Galatians 5:16-18
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Much of the letter to the Galatians is about the difference between living by the law versus living by the Spirit. But in verses 16-18 he goes further, and argues that living by the Spirit is about more than recognizing our proper freedom in Christ, it also enables us to combat temptation. We all experience the conflict within ourselves between doing what is right or wrong. As Paul says in verse 17 about the desires of the flesh and the Spirit: "these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do". The solution to this conflict is found in choosing which side to live by. It is our sinful nature that pulls us into immorality; so to avoid immorality we need to "walk by the Spirit" (verse 16). The idea of walking with the Spirit suggests a habitual process; it goes beyond trying to avoid sin, to actively communing with God, to constantly seeking God's face. When we do this, then we "will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (verse 16).
Lord, I recognize the struggle within me between the desires of the flesh and the desire of the Spirit. Help me to walk with You and to live by Your Spirit.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Much of the letter to the Galatians is about the difference between living by the law versus living by the Spirit. But in verses 16-18 he goes further, and argues that living by the Spirit is about more than recognizing our proper freedom in Christ, it also enables us to combat temptation. We all experience the conflict within ourselves between doing what is right or wrong. As Paul says in verse 17 about the desires of the flesh and the Spirit: "these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do". The solution to this conflict is found in choosing which side to live by. It is our sinful nature that pulls us into immorality; so to avoid immorality we need to "walk by the Spirit" (verse 16). The idea of walking with the Spirit suggests a habitual process; it goes beyond trying to avoid sin, to actively communing with God, to constantly seeking God's face. When we do this, then we "will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (verse 16).
Lord, I recognize the struggle within me between the desires of the flesh and the desire of the Spirit. Help me to walk with You and to live by Your Spirit.