Flesh or spirit?

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul spells it out plainly here! He goes on to tell us what the attributes of both flesh and spirit are:
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Each time I am faced with an overwhelming problem I have a choice to make: will I follow my fleshly impulses or choose the spirit? The outcomes will be totally different!

Right now I am under the pump with study for exams, people wanting to take something from me through  emotional blackmail, and immature Christians who won’t think for themselves. But, the Lord is opening up opportunities to share Christ and tonight I have Bible study at my house. I must manage my reactions and produce the fruit He wants to see in my life.

Choices are always before us. When we react we do so out of selfishness. It is better to seek the Lord for the answer. Amen!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Eternal Life

Teacher I beg you to look at my son because he is my only don. Luke 9:38 For God so loved the world He sent His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Luke has several stories about parents losing single children. Jesus healed them all. The Only Son reached out to these single child families. Jesus was the favoured only Son. Yet the Father knew He was the Only answer. Abraham was tested regarding his willingness to give up his only son, way back in the beginning, but he was spared because there was one destined to come and pay the perfect price. Amen! The blood of Christ was perfect as it was without spot or blemish. There was great power in that blood, enough power for all men, for all time. The blood secures us freedom from eternal darkness, it brings us into eternal life. Amen! Invite Him in and watch 'life' change your world. Amen!
Read more

My Father's House

After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. Luke 2:46,47 Jesus was 12. His parents had brought Him to Jerusalem for the festival but Jesus failed to return with them. When they finally found Him, after frantically searching for Him and had rebuked Him, He said, " didn't you know I had to be in My Father's house?" Jesus knew the importance of being in His Father's house and He was the Messiah, what does that mean to me? I love being in church. Yesterday my church hosted the feeding of 950 runners in my home town. I was there in the thick of it but could not wait to go to church and worship last night. Since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with my Father's house, and this was when I was searching for Him. I did not find Him as my personal saviour until I was 19. The word of God fascinates ...
Read more

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more