VOD: verse of the day

Be what you were meant to be

Galatians 5:16-26
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For 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. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

This is a passage that I meditate on often because it clearly lays out the difference between the sinful nature and the Spirit. Right away I notice things: how the sinful nature are described as "acts" but the Spirit filled nature "fruits". Maybe implying that when you engage in sexual immorality, cheap sex, impure thoughts/actions, or bow down to worthless gods, hate and destroy your brothers and sisters by slandering their name; you are doing just that...acting. But when you are living by the Spirit of our most Holy God, you are bearing fruit. Sweet and tender and increasing in goodness. We are constantly at war over these two natures. We have our sin and then we have the self that has been redeemed. I know I sometimes let the sinful nature control me, and it sickens me. Christ did not die so that I would continue to selfishly destroy all things around me. He died to give us a better life. I think we should live like we were meant to. Overflowing with the Holy Spirit. To really examine these words, and live them out in daily life.

posted by Anonymous @ 5:40 AM