DEVOTION – DAY 466

Galatians 5:16 “Walking By The Spirit”

Galatians 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

The apostle Paul encourages us to walk by the Spirit. By that, he meant we are to make it our daily habit to live by the power and promptings of the Holy Spirit in us. When we do that, we will be able to conquer all our sinful desires. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul sets out many examples of sinful desires of the flesh. They include sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness and orgies. Paul went on to warn that people who chose to give into the desires of their flesh and commit such sins would not inherit the kingdom of God.

I recently met an ex-colleague. We were colleagues together for more than ten years in the past. We were one of the few Christians in management at the time. This man told me that he had recently opted to retire early. He was tired of the relentless rat race. He was surrounded by colleagues who were driven by selfish ambition. He had seen enough office politics and he knew that it was something that the Lord did not want him to be engaged in. He also did not want to be envious of colleagues who were promoted over him because of his age. So, he decided to opt for early retirement. He had chosen to walk by the Spirit and not give into the desires of the flesh.

I also know another ex-colleague who gave into the desires of the flesh. He was good at cementing his position even though he was not very competent. He was good at creating factions and dissensions at the workplace that arose and then, offer himself as the intermediary to resolve the conflicts. In the process, he would appear indispensable. He was a colleague I would want to stay away from as much as possible. He was an example of someone who chose to live in the flesh. I could only pray for him and for his salvation.  

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you are Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Please help us to always walk in the power of your Spirit and never give into the desires of the flesh. Please help us to flee from the desires of the flesh. We pray this in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some examples of the desires of the flesh that you face regularly?
  2. Why do so many people give in to the desires of their flesh? Discuss. 
  3. How can you resist these desires of the flesh?
  4. What does “walking in the Spirit” mean to you? Discuss.
  5. How have God helped you to overcome some desires of the flesh in the past? Share.