" Walk in the Spirit... not fulfill the lust if the flesh" Galatians 5:16
I was reading Galatians chapter 5 this morning. Verse 16 is key to understanding victory over the flesh. We must daily live, allowing the Spirit to control. Verse 17- 18 implies that we have a conflict going on in our lives. Remember Paul, in this passage is speaking to believers. This conflict exists because our sin nature battles our new nature we have as a result of being in Christ. So what do we do to face this conflict? Verse 16 tells us! " Walk in the Spirit"/ When you read verse 10-23 you see the contrast. Paul tells is that the graces of the spirit must grow like rich fruit in our lives, but how? "Walk in The Spirit" Verse 24-26 explains how all of this is done. Paul tells us that the evil desires must be crucified, done away with so that we can walk in step with the Spirit.
In summary , it seems that in order for us to walk in the Spirit(16), we must get rid of the desires in us that are contrary to His will. In order to do that we must walk in step(25) with the Spirit. So We submit to His leading, He guides us as we learn to walk day by day with Him.
Prayer: "Lord , today help me walk in step with the Spirit"
Hint: Spend some time with Him in His Word!
thank you thank you......Mari, Corey and I were just reading this passage yesterday. We were discussing how too often we respond based in our emotions or as a reaction to what has happened in our past......we fulfill the lust of the flesh when we do this. For us, we need to ask GOD for help in our own home as we tend to rub each other the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, walking in the SPIRIT means a life submitted to HIM - and that means - as we decided yesterday that we must, take every thought captive to the obedience of CHRIST - realizing that our old ways mostly lead into greater problems......Instead we must, as HIS children, whom have been bought with a price - the precious blood of JESUS CHRIST - stop and seek HIS wisdom before responding in all things.
This takes much patience - remembering to be patient with one another and encouraging one another along the way - being accountable for when we fail but also cheering one another long as we follow HIM and not ourselves......and yes the WORD is the way to know the way we are to go!
A while back, when Lucas was still playing baseball, I would pray fervently over each game - it was not a good season for Lucas' team. Brad made the observation that praying was good but it came down to practice, practice, practice.......the teammates were making mistakes that were fundamental basics which could only be worked out by practicing them over and over and over again until they become the way the team players reacted all the time!
I love that picture.....and so it is for us as we shed the old self and walk in HIS way...... may GOD give us plenty of practice as we walk according to the SPIRIT - may HE give us grace as we do so....towards ourselves and our brothers and sisters......May HIS love for us and its demonstration of HIS love through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST be our motive for all we do or say......In CHRIST - AMEN!