Flesh vs. Spirit

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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:17-18)

I wish I could tell you that spiritual things get easier as you grow older, but that is not true. In fact, the closer and longer we walk with Christ, the hotter the battle between the devil, the world, our flesh, and our spirit — and it is quite the battle for those who are living godly lives. This life is not hard for Christians who are enamored with the wonders of salvation and all its benefits. They never actually show up for Christian duty, and they never experience the rigors of a growing relationship with a holy God. The sufferings of Christ remain a mystery to them, because they follow Jesus at a distance, and they would rather enjoy an unruffled life of blessings and favor. Yet, the Lord would have His sons and daughters gladly engage the rough and tumble of spiritual maturity and vitality, and He desires we enter through the narrow and difficult gate of discipleship.

None of us can please God by the sheer force of our will or our most sincere effort. There are contradictions in our souls that only the indwelling Spirit can reveal and overcome. The principle of sin is a reality we were born with, and it will remain with us as long as we are on this earth. However, the New Covenant is the supreme reality under which we live when we are born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Our victorious lives are not lived apart from our weaknesses and struggles, but in the midst of them. The freedom Christ gives us operates in the thick of life's battles, and we rise out of bondage and sin to sit with Him in the heavenly places. That is what it means to be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. We win battles that could never be won without Him, and we are led by the Spirit into abundance and life; not by the law into condemnation, but by grace in to the glorious liberty that is ours in Him. May we come to articulate and appreciate these things more and more.

Let’s Pray – Dear God, may I wake up every day with a readiness and willingness to fight the good fight of faith. I will put on the whole armor of God, which is Christ, and I will be victorious in Him. To God be the glory! Amen.