Contrary to Popular Living

Text: Galatians 5:16-18
Theme: The only way to overcome our worldly nature is to live by the Spirit.
Key verses: “…live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want” (v. 16-17).
What God said to me: Dwayne, I want you to see the simplicity of this profundity. Paul continues to unpack this vital teaching on living by the law versus living by my grace and Spirit. He emphasizes it so the churches at Galatia (and you) won’t miss it. He wrote, ‘So I say, live by the Spirit.’ That’s it. Simply live by my Spirit. Walk according to what my Spirit leads you to do. Don’t move unless my Spirit moves you. Don’t think what my Spirit doesn’t lead you to think. Don’t live, breath or function outside of my Spirit. Allow the Spirit to infiltrate, saturate and overtake every fiber of your mind and soul. Live by the Spirit-it’s not a choice; it’s a command.
What I said to God: Father, please forgive me for not living according to Your Spirit and by Your Spirit and through Your Spirit. I confess that I have not yet claimed Your Spirit’s filling in my life today. Help me never get “used” to living on my own. Help me never allow myself to go even an hour harboring sin in my heart. I know that when I do, when I’m filled up with sin and self, that I can’t be/won’t be filled up with You.