So I say,live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the spirit and the spirit contrary to the sinful nature there in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want. But you are if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law.
Paul here says the only way we not gratify the desires of the fresh is living by the spirit. Acts of the fresh include; sexual immortality, impurity, debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred discord jealousy fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions drunkenness orgies and the like. Not every time are our motives pure, sometimes we feel like we deserve that which has happened to the other person and not them deserve such a good thing to happen to them.
The flesh is an old ego which feels emptiness and uses the resources on its own power to fill it up. It's unsubmissive and proud and does not yield to any kind of authority or any mercy. Since this flesh has been crucified with Christ a new one lives this new one lives by faith in the son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us.
(Galatians 2 verse 20). And we are a new creation. And since we have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. We live by the spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other( Galatians 5 verse 24 to 26)
what is this spirit and how do we do live in step with the spirit. The spirit is the spirit of God. To live in the spirit means to abide in the vine or Jesus Christ who is the vine.
John 15 verse 4 to 6( Holy Bible)
Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, its must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
I am the true vine you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him,he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
We must Keep ourselves connected and united with God. We must let the spirit lead us and control us. We can only be led by the spirit if our hearts Believe and rest in God promises in the son of God who loved us and gave himself for us and is working for our own good. seek him in prayer. Fellowship with other believers and most importantly have a good relationship with him.
Why is it important to live in the spirit, we will not gratify the sins of the flesh. Because the spirit begins to produce fruits which overtakes the desires of the fresh. We begin to love naturally and have peace naturally because we are been led by the spirit. And if we are led by the spirit we are not under the law because what the law requires the spirit produces effortlessly as a fruit. Galatians 5 vs 14
The entire law is summed up in a single command. Love your neighbor as yourself.
So the law commands love and the fruits of the spirit include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness,faithfulness gentleness and self control against such things there is no law.
Of course there is a battle between the spirit and flesh but the desires of the flesh will not mature.The sign of the spirit is not that we have no bad desires but its that we at war with these desires. We cannot overcome these desires if we don't walk by the spirit or live in the spirit and if we don't depend in the vine who is Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6 verse 8 to 9 (Holy Bible)
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sow to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not be weary in doing good, for at a proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not give up.
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All You Need is God
SpiritualSometimes life as a believer can be hard. But the good thing is we are not alone. All we need to do is seek God earnestly and diligently with our whole hearts, soul and spirit.
