“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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 5:16-18
The Holy Spirit creates faith in the hearts of believers and regenerates them, giving them a new nature that loves God and their neighbor, and seeks to live in accordance with God’s Word. But believers still have their old sinful flesh, which lusts after and desires what God forbids instead of desiring those things God commands. And so, Paul urges believers to walk in the Spirit and follow His leading and guiding rather than yielding to the sinful desires of the flesh. And, if we are led by the Spirit, we continue to trust in Christ alone for our salvation and are free from the curse and condemnation of God’s law upon our sins and shortcomings.
Grant that I walk in Your ways, O Lord, and not yield to the sinful inclinations of my heart. Graciously keep me in the true faith that I might not be condemned by Your law. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]