Do you struggle?

Yes?

Welcome to the human condition!

Paul wrote about his own struggle in Romans:

Romans 7:15-20
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

He and the Holy Spirit did a wonderful job explaining how everyone feels!  It is our heart’s desire to please the Lord in all things.   It is our desire to stop horrible, destructive habits.   It is our desire to use our mouths to bless others … but … BAM!  Sin rears up and we find ourselves in a battle with our flesh!

What do I mean by battling our flesh?   It seems like my spirit wars against mine.  They are in head to head combat!

Galatians 5:16-18
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.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Romans 8:5-8
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God;  it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

I have heard the flesh described as an EGO — always looking for something to fill its desires by using its own resources.   Don’t most of us do that?  Our flesh doesn’t naturally turn to God, but will turn to another activity or substance.

The conflict that you feel inside is to warn you not to do whatever you want.    Verse 13 states, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”   Hmmmm, is anyone else guilty of indulging your flesh?  I know I am!

I want to be a daughter who has her mind governed by the Spirit.  Don’t you?  I want to please Daddy God and I want LIFE and PEACE.   Are you lacking peace?  Do these scriptures open your understanding as to why you might be lacking peace?

How do we walk in the Spirit?

We walk in the Spirit when we are LED by the Spirit of God.   It means we RELY on Him.  Yes, our will must be involved and we must deeply desire to follow His lead — surrendering our own desires.

As I have said before, God has given us His Word to protect us.   Verse 16 in the New American Standard Bible reads, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”   God gently nudges us to do what is right.   IF we are led by the Spirit, we WILL NOT carry out the desire of our flesh.

How do we recognize when our flesh is in control?

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Does this mean there is no forgiveness?  NO.  But our heart’s desire should be to walk in the fruit of the Spirit instead of the unholy fruit listed above.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

I’m sure there are examples DAILY of times when I lack at least one or more attributes of the holy fruit.   We all struggle with our flesh in one way or another.  If PAUL, who wrote most of the New Testament knew this battle all too well, then be encouraged to know that you aren’t alone.

I will leave you with one last scripture to give you hope …

Romans 8:1-2
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Will any of us be perfect on this side of heaven?  NO!   But Paul (through the Holy Spirit) has given us direction and insight.

Our flesh battles our Spirit.

We must be led by the Spirit.

When we are led by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will show in our lives.

Surrender to the Lord and His love for you.

Remember, there is no condemnation — but He desires what is best for all of us.

Have a blessed Tuesday everyone!