Spirit or Flesh?

“What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭

I feel like sometimes we blame the enemy for what is really our human nature. It is easier to see everything as white and black, as good and evil, or as God versus Satan. We don’t like to think about our human nature also being a player in our lives. This passage points to our flesh as something that also directs us.

We often give Satan more power in our minds. We think of Him as God’s adversary, despite the fact Jesus defeated him though His death and resurrection. The enemy is our accuser, he has no authority in a believer’s life, except that which we give to him. So many times, it is our flesh that causes us problems that we want to blame Satan for instead of taking responsibility.

This passage in Galatians goes on to say:

For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law.

What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭21‬

The list is pretty clear as to what the flesh produces. It looks and sounds a lot like the society we are living in right now. We are surrounded by, and maybe are even starting to become a people who are satisfying the desires of our human nature. The social media is full of ‭even believers fighting, expressing jealousy and anger. We see ambitious people trying to make a name for themselves instead of bring glory to Jesus.

God has called us to live our lives by letting Holy Spirit direct us. He calls us to crucify our flesh and allow His Spirit to live in and through us.

“But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭25‬

It is hard to give up control. After thirty eight years, I still want to take back control at times. I want the fruit of the Spirit produced in my life. The choice is mine, God will not force me to allow His Spirit to live through me. There is not room though for both the flesh and Spirit to reign. It is a daily choice to surrender.