Today’s devotional focuses on Galatians 5:16, 17.

“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

In these verses, the Apostle Paul offers the ultimate solution to overcoming selfish and sinful tendencies. It focuses on three main concepts:

Walk by the Spirit: To “walk” means to live, conduct your life, and make daily decisions. To “walk by the Spirit” means relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power rather than your own strength.

The Flesh: This refers to human nature apart from God—our natural, selfish inclinations, compulsions, and desires that lead to sin.

The Promise: Paul presents this as a cause-and-effect relationship. As you actively focus on and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading, you lose the drive to fulfill the desires of your sinful nature.

The verses acknowledge an ongoing internal struggle (detailed in verses 17-23) between what your natural self wants and what God’s Spirit desires.

Paul’s message is that victory does not come from strictly following a list of rules; rather, it happens naturally by cultivating a daily relationship with God.

Key Takeaways:

• Continue to deepen your relationship with the Lord through short prayers and expressions of gratitude throughout the day.
• Tether yourself to the Holy Spirit who lives in you. He is not a guest; he is a resident.
• Resist your earthly desires. It will require prayer and positive self-talk.
• Listen to the Holy Spirit who will serve as your cheerleader as you separate your wants from your spiritual needs.

 Have a blessed day.