Walking in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.


If you are like me, then you are constantly wondering when you will no longer be pestered by the thoughts and desires of the flesh. I am always asking, when will I "grow out" of them? When will I reach that maturing point when these things will no longer matter to me, or even come into my consideration? The answer: not until I die.

Yep, sorry it couldn’t be better news, and yet, for me at least, that news helps me understand and buck-up, so to speak, to fight this battle for the long-haul. And right here we are given the answer to our dilemma – we are to walk by the Spirit. Every day, every moment, we are to allow the Spirit to guide us, to fill us with His power, to give us all that we need to make it. By faith, we need to walk as though the Spirit is giving us all that we need – when we begin to make a big deal of the struggle within us, it is as though we are doubting the Spirit that is also within us, Who is stronger than the desires of our sinful nature. So, when we walk in the knowledge that the Spirit is within us, giving us all that we need, then we will simply not gratify those desires. The more we do it, the more natural it becomes – the easier it becomes.

Now, notice, that this verse does not say that we will no longer have desires in our sinful nature. Unfortunately, as long as we occupy these fleshly bodies, those desires come with the territory. Not that we should be in constant battle – we are already victorious, but they will still be there for us to choose. And about the moment we think we have it all under control, they will begin to rear their ugly little heads again, and we will wonder how we have "slipped so far." Ah, but take heart, this is something we all have to deal with until we are released from these wretched robes of flesh.

So, I go back to the Spirit. Know Him, acknowledge Him, walk daily knowing that He is within you giving you everything you need to simply turn your back those desires, and walk a righteous, victorious life. Praise God, and Amen!