Our Constant Battle

If you are a Christian you are in a constant battle. No, I'm not talking about the battle against the enemy: Satan - though that battle is very real. I'm talking about a battle within yourself.

In Galatians 5, Paul says "...the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opossed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." ESV

The battle within you is the constant struggle between doing what the flesh desires and what the Spirit of God desires. How to tell the difference? Read on in Galatians:

19 "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." ESV

This is what is called an ad hoc list - it isn't inclusive of everything. Lying, for instance, is not in here, but is a work of the flesh. Basically anything that does not bring glory to God is not of the Spirit.

So what are characteristics of the Spirit?

22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." ESV

And that's the key - we can't just push down the flesh and decide in ourselves to be like God - that's making ourselves perfect by our own efforts. It also doesn't mean that you can just do anything you like because Jesus died for your sins (see 5:13).

But if you are in Christ you have been crucified. You no longer live, you no longer own yourself - Jesus does. What Paul wants us to do is actually very simple:

16 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

So my word for today is: have the attitude that your flesh is dead, and live your life focused on the Spirit filling you, motivating you, guiding you. The more you relate to God - praying, worshipping, learning, stretching - the less you will find time or desire for the things of the flesh.