DEVOTION – DAY 259

Galatians 5:16-17 “Walking In The Spirit”

 

Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

 

Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:16-17 that there is an ongoing battle within us. This is the battle between the Holy Spirit and our own flesh or sinful nature. Paul tells us that being sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is very important, if we want to win the battle against our own sinful desires. Listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying Him is something we must do all the time. As Paul pointed out in Galatians 5:19, our own flesh or sinful nature wants to engage in sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, envy and so on. This is what unbelievers do all the time. They do not have the Holy Spirit in them. So, unbelievers surrender to their sinful nature.

 

But Christians are different. They have the Holy Spirit living in them guiding them to show fruits of the Spirit. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22-23 that fruits of the Spirit include love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness and self -control. Instead of giving in to our sinful nature, we are to show fruits of the Spirit in our daily interaction with others.

 

A girl was invited to a party. She knew many of her friends were also invited. There would be boys at the party. She knew that alcohol would be served at the party and there would be smoking and possibly, some people may even use recreational drugs. She wanted to go to the party so that she could meet some boys. But something inside her told her that the party would be a wild one. It was better she avoided such company. She was a University student and she knew her parents would not be happy if she went to the party. She was undecided. Then, she recalled Galatians 5:16-23. She knew that the party would lead to debauchery and drunkenness. If she went, she was surrendering to the desires of her flesh. In the end, she did not go to the party because she chose to walk in the Spirit by showing self-control.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word and your Spirit that is our constant guide. Please help us to always choose to walk in the Spirit and exhibit fruits of the Spirit and never give in to the desires of our sinful nature. We humbly ask this of you in the precious name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What are some examples of your daily struggles between walking in the Spirit and wanting to surrender to your sinful desires?
  2. Why is it important for us to walk in the Spirit?
  3. How can we choose walk in the Spirit and not give in to our sinful desires? Discuss.
  4. In order to win your daily battle against the desires of your sinful nature, what must you do?