The Spirit Versus the Flesh
Open Your Bible
Galatians 5:16-26, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Ephesians 2:1-10, Revelation 21:1-8
BY Rebecca Faires
I’m a list maker. I need them to clarify my thoughts, and my brain works best when I put pen to paper. There are the staples—Christmas lists, to-do lists, and grocery lists—but I also keep lists of the national parks we’ve visited (Glacier really is the crown of the continent), my favorite things about my good dog (that nuzzly pink nose), and foods I never, ever want to eat again. (I’m looking at you, Hot Pockets.)
Lists are a helpful way to show us all the angles of an idea. One word says a lot, but seven pointing to the same big idea really leave no room for confusion. In this passage, Paul gives us two lists: a list of death and a list of life—the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19–23). And boy, do I love the look of that “fruit of the spirit” list. I want that list to be the accounting of my days—not the nonsense in other list.
But life is busy and complicated, and we often find ourselves shifting back and forth between these two lists. How do we find victory over sin that ultimately only leads to death? Paul very succinctly declares that the only means by which we may find victory over sin is to “walk by the Spirit and [we] will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh” (v.16). Notice Paul doesn’t say we might not succumb to our flesh; he says we will certainly not—what a declaration!
Our flesh wars with the Spirit (James 1:14–15), but Paul encourages us in this manner: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). This is a powerful image! We’re not expected to walk out our faith journey alone; instead, we must learn to yield to the Holy Spirit. In daily life, our heart’s proclivities lead us away from the Word and drown out the voice of the Spirit; it’s easier to listen to our senses, our circumstances, and our vain desires. Our inattention to the Spirit causes us to fall out of step with Him. Theologian John Owen put it this way: “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.”
Daily, hourly, we are to fix our attention on the Word, hide it in our hearts, and yield our desires to Christ— not by our own strength, but by yielding to the Spirit within us. We must bring our bone-dry souls to the Fountain of Life. As God promised to Ezekiel: “You will know that I am the LORD, my people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live” (Ezekiel 37:13–14).
Here’s the good news: this is all God’s work; a life in step with the Spirit grows out of the Spirit of adoption that we have already received by grace. God calls us to live in the Spirit that He has already given, “for [we] are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from [ourselves]; it is God’s gift” (Ephesians 2:8). Though the world, the flesh, and the devil continually vie for our attention, God has extended to our very lips “the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:6). Drink freely. Drink deeply. Drink continually. Walk in step with His Spirit.
31 thoughts on "The Spirit Versus the Flesh"
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Every day I struggle with my flesh but reading the Word reminds me that I’m not fighting this battle alone.
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We have two choices, to walk in the way of the flesh or by way of the Spirit. Since Christ has set me free and given his whole life to save me, I pray that I would honor him with my life by pleasing him.
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I was struck by the Ezekiel passage. God sat him down in the middle of the valley – full of dry bones. Then He asked if the bones could live? To Ezekiel’s credit he knew the answer to that question was fully up to God. And yet, while God could have raised them without Ezekiel’s prophesies, and breathed life into them, He commanded Ezekiel to be a part – to prophesy, twice. After Ezekiel’s obedience God fully assembled, bones, tendons, skin and breath…life once again.
There have been times that I’ve been those dry-lifeless bones…thankful to those God uses to prophesy His truth in my life as His Word and plan draws me together alive again.
I pray there have also been times I have been the obedient Ezekiel, following as God commands to prophesy into others lives. May it be so Lord.
I also thought of Melissa’s daughter, Annelyn P’s son and daughter-in-law, and one of my sons and the dry-bone filled place we are presently in. Oh how I pray for obedient Ezekiel’s in their lives to prophesy God’s Word and Truth. May they hear. May the slain live! May the Spirit of God permeate their being…from bone to breath. May there not be a dry space left in them, only the Living Water of Jesus Christ. And may it be so in my life also.
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Beloved, be loved
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This morning is one of those rare times when I’m unhurried, so I was able to give a lot of thought to each passages. It had been a long time since I’ve read the passage from Ezekiel and I imagined myself being in Ezekiel’s place. When God asked him the question, “…can these bones live?” and having a basic understanding of biology, my immediate thought was, “No, of course not, they are dry, all life is gone from them.” Even though I know the story (and the song from childhood), I took the question as challenge to my knowledge and education. Then I read Ezekiel’s answer, “Lord God, only you know.” Ezekiel never lost sight of Who he was with, Who was with him. Instead of responding in a way that declared his understanding of the obvious, he kept his attention on Who knows all things. May I learn to keep my attention on the One who is always with me, remember to turn to Him, trust Him in the middle of seemingly impossible circumstances, and find peace and rest in Him who knows all things.
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The passage in Ezekiel spoke time today. Can you imagine those dry bones coming to life. Oh my.
Today, I am grateful that the Lord brought these dry bones to life. I like no to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of my life (Galatians 5:25).
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit that these bones might be strong and powerful for you.-
Amen!
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Just a reminder, the times of people posting are not correct in the app. None of these posts are from a year ago. The correct timing shows up on the website.
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Glad you mentioned that. I’ve been puzzled!
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Post-it notes can imprison me. It’s true. I have post-it notes in my car, on my bathroom mirror, on the fridge. There are post-it notes even in my Bible! I use them to remind me of things to do and things I don’t want to forget. Unfortunately I can let these Post-it notes become my judge and jury, noting my accomplishments and my failures. So when I read Galatians 5:21—22 I cringe a bit. I fall into the old familiar habit of comparison. Do my actions reflect the flesh or the Spirit? If points were assigned, which would come out the winner? Have I disappointed God once again?
Deep breath.
Praise God that this is not the point of the passage. The devil would surely have me focus on my failures. The devil conveniently covers up the fact that these post-it notes are also stamped. They are stamped with GRACE. God is well aware of my limitations this side of heaven. He gave me His indwelling Holy Spirit Who walks with me. If I look for my imperfections I will find them. But God would have me focus on His GRACE. These Biblical post-it notes are boldly marked with GRACE -in the bright red blood of my Savior. As I study and memorize His Word and as I pray and converse with Him, my flesh fades and His Spirit soars. I walk on. Those devilish post-it notes lay crumpled at my feet. I step over them in victory.
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This really speaks to my heart. Praise God for His grace!
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