“Against”

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. (Galatians 5.17)

Is the Spirit fighting against your flesh?

Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia with a focus on justification by faith (Galatians 2.15-16). In discussing Christian liberty, Paul encouraged Christians to walk in the Spirit. A real internal battle was taking place within the believers in Galatia. The indwelling Holy Spirit was drawing them to holiness, and the unredeemed flesh was drawing them to unrighteousness. The fruit of the Spirit was love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The works of the flesh were characterized by sexual sins, hatred, selfishness, and lack of control. The Christians in Galatia had to be purposeful in their pursuit of holiness. They were already empowered and directed by the Spirit. Their role was to submit to the Spirit’s leading to walk in the Spirt. Only then, would they not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5.13-26). The Christians in Galatia would not be satisfied in the flesh because the Spirt was fighting against their flesh.

The battle between Spirit and flesh continues today. All Christians have God the Spirit dwelling within their hearts. God draws us to holiness and convicts us of sin (Romans 8.9-17). When we are hardheaded and allow sin in our lives, the Spirit will not leave us alone (John 16.8). If a person is living a life of habitual sin with no regrets, that person has no real claim to be a Christian. The Spirit will not allow Christians to be satisfied with actions of the old man (Romans 8.5-8). We are new creations with new desires, and we are being molded into the image of our Lord (2 Corinthians 3.18; 5.17). Sin has no place in the life of a Christian. Like the Christians in Galatia, we must be purposeful in our pursuit of holiness by submitting to the Spirit’s leading to walk in the Spirit. It is a dangerous thing to quench the Spirit and subsequently invite God’s correction (Ephesians 4.30; Hebrews 12.5-11). We will never be satisfied in the flesh because the Spirit is fighting against our flesh.

Are you suffering in works of the flesh? Turn to the Spirit to be equipped and refreshed. Do you take comfort in the ever-present indwelling Spirit? It is a joy to know that God will never leave nor forsake His children (Hebrews 13.5). Where is the Spirit leading you? Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The Spirit is fighting against the flesh today, and one day the works of the flesh will be destroyed (Romans 7.24; Philippians 3.21; Revelation 21.4). Take comfort that the victory is found in Jesus!

God, thank You for Your indwelling presence. Thank You for empowering and directing me towards holiness. Please give me wisdom as I struggle with my flesh. I know that You have given me all things for life and godliness, and that the victory belongs to You (2 Peter 1.2-4). Thank You that You are fighting against my flesh and perfecting me. Help me to be purposeful in my pursuit of holiness. Help me to celebrate my identity in You daily. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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Against | Galatians 5.17
Weekly Bible Devotional

Written and Produced by:
Reverend David Lyda
Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church
Edgefield, SC

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.