The BATTLE…….

Walking in the Spirit    Galatians 5

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.\

 

Good Morning. Are you and I walking in the Spirit of the Lord today or are we walking in the lusts of the flesh? We see that the two natures are contrary to one another, in other words the flesh and the Spirit are always in a battle for control of our heart/will. Our (the Christian) mind will and emotions are to be influenced in such a way by our Lord Jesus that we desire to live according to the fruits of the Spirit, love, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith etc. (Galatians 5:22) whereas the fruits of the flesh are fornication, envy, hatred, wrath etc. (Galatians 5:19-21). How are we going to win such a battle for the Lord? To be led by the Spirit one must make a choice daily to seek Jesus through the word of God by reading, studying and obeying it. Jesus said: “23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me.” Denying self is a choice one has to make when God’s Spirit is telling not to do something or do something. To me, it is like being on a diet and our body tells us we need a snack and we make a choice by denying ourselves and do not eat the snack. Listening to the Spirit to do things God’s way has to deal with that same kind of choice! Going to the cross daily means that the battle is there daily and we must go to the cross with these lustful desires and die to them. Following Jesus is the third way to be led by the Spirit so we need to understand what He wants from us through His word and make a choice to do it! Doing those things is a sign that we love our Lord when we do the things He has called us to do. Jesus said:”46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6)    Lord Jesus help us today do those things you ask.

God bless, Terry  Sep 2, 2020