This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 KJV
In this letter to the Galatians, Paul instructs Christians to walk in the Spirit of God and not the lust of the flesh. He is warning them against wasting their freedom in Christ by pleasing the flesh. Paul knows that living in the flesh is living in slavery to sin. He also pleads to the new Christians that they should not try to justify themselves by the law because this alienates them from Christ.
There were some members of the church that led believers to become legalistic. They taught salvation by works causing them to fall away from the doctrine of being saved by grace alone. We are not saved by our actions or justified by our deeds but rather are saved by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul is teaching in this letter that the only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love.
Walking in the Spirit
The flesh and the Spirit are in conflict with one another. The works of the flesh are immoral and impure. Paul says in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. NIV” Walking in the Spirit, we avoid being condemned by the law.
How often do we lose ourselves and our freedom in Christ by failing to display the fruits of the Spirit? How often do we become slaves to the lust of the flesh? Paul makes clear that we avoid the trouble that comes from living in the flesh by walking daily in the Spirit.
Prayer: “Father God, forgive me for the times I have failed to follow your will as I forgive those who have offended me. Guide me away from the lust of the flesh. Lead me by the Spirit into obedience to your word. Restore me to blamelessness through the blood of Christ. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: That Which Is to Come
