But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Spiritual growth includes spiritual battle!
Your flesh—your old sinful nature—will be left behind when you leave this fallen world. But until then you'll face a daily battle. Your new nature, stirred up by God's Spirit, longs for intimacy with God, pursuing His goals for your life, spending time with Him, looking for ways to minister to others.
But your flesh resists everything that takes the focus off yourself and the gratification of your desires. It works against the time you're taking right now to read this devotional. It tries to distract you. It links arms with the secular world and the forces of evil to distort the perspective on life that God is building into you through His word.
How can you resist this powerful inward enemy of your spiritual life? By continually walking by the Spirit—turning to Him for guidance, leaning on Him for strength, calling on Him for help when you face temptation, asking Him to change the way you approach your work and your relationships and everything.
He's speaking to your heart right now. Journal your response to Him.
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