The choice is ours
Opening Prayer
Breath of God, breathe in me every moment, like the oxygen I continually take into my lungs.
Read GALATIANS 5:16–26
[16] So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] 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. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is at war?There is something natural, peaceful and sustainable about walking. It is neither exhausting (like running) nor static (like going nowhere). Paul invites his readers to adjust the pace of their life to that of the Spirit of God (25)—which he describes as a walk. Paul well knows that the Christian life isn’t that simple (Rom. 7:19). There is, within each of us, a struggle going on between our self-seeking, self-promoting desires and the self-denying, self-giving life of Christ. Paul calls the first “the life of the flesh” and the second the “life of the Spirit.” The two will be at war within us until our dying day—and we will find ourselves on both sides of the conflict. Paul argues that even a ritual as sincere and costly as circumcision is still a “work of the flesh.” It is motivated by the desire to earn or achieve salvation for ourselves, rather than relying completely on God. As such, it is related to all the other ways in which we seek to please and assert ourselves. Yet Paul encourages his readers: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (22,23,25).
Apply
Do not fear that you still struggle to do what’s right. Take heart that God’s Spirit is at work in you.
Closing prayer
Lord, I yield to You. You are what I desire and I know that You will win this war.
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