But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
The flesh and the Spirit are contrary and opposing forces. Those who walk according to the Spirit inherit the Kingdom of God. Those who walk according to the sinful nature (the desires of the flesh) do not.
But if we are people of the Spirit and give ourselves to walking in the Spirit we can be assured we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
What that means is significant. This verse is telling us the Spirit overrides and supercedes the way of the flesh. The way of the Spirit is a higher way, a better way, a more powerful way.
When we read of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) these are sometimes known as “base” behaviours. The way of the flesh is base living. It is the lowest, most common way of life. And it will lead to death.
We therefore are presented with a choice – the way of the flesh or the superior way of the Spirit.
If you are struggling with sin, it is because you’ve given the flesh too much credence. If you are finding temptation hard to shake, recognise it as the desires of the flesh clamouring for your attention.
Not only that, take the next step and deal with it by choosing the way of the Spirit! Submit yourself to the Spirit, yield to the Spirit, humble yourself beneath the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, sing in the Spirit, wait on the Spirit.
When we do this – walk by the Spirit – we override and supercede the competing desires of the flesh. In Christ, you are dead to them anyway and sin’s power has been broken.
Choose the Spirit and life today!
PRAYER: Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. I give myself to being led by the Spirit today. I choose to put down the desires of the flesh and walk in the power of the Spirit instead, by your Grace and Mercy. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.