The War Within
I am sure we have all heard about the battle within each of us between the “Flesh and the Spirit”. However, do we understand what this battle is? This is the battle that each one of us must fight daily.
The bible tells us the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh.
Galatians 5:17
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
We are born with the old fleshly nature inside of us. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, Christ Spirit then lives within us. From then on there is this battle that goes on within us between the flesh and the Spirit. Who wins? That is a battle that is fought daily in each of our lives. The bible says If we walk by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh then the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) will be exhibited in our life. So, to win this battle we need to learn to walk in the Spirit.
What does it mean to “walk in the Spirit”? This happens when we surrender to God working in our lives. We do not follow in our strength. We are led by His power. So “walk by the Spirit” means stay hooked up to the divine source of power and go wherever He leads. We also must abide in Christ.
John 15:4-5
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
So “walk by the Spirit” means “abide in the vine.” Keep yourself securely united to the living Christ. Don’t cut yourself off from the flow of the Spirit.
The “fruit of the Spirit” is not our fruit, but the Spirit of Jesus Christ that lives within us.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
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