Galatians 5:16 says, "live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." As I read that verse I can't help but think about what a great verse that is to live by. Its a command and a promise. Live by the Spirit, that is the command. You will not gratify the desires of the flesh, that is the promise. If this is so, why do we find it so hard to experience the power of walking in the Spirit, why are we constantly struggling with fleshly desires?
I had some insight today as I was pressure washing my house and my deck. While I was pressure washing, I noticed the places that were really dirty and took care of those immediately. What I almost missed, however, were the stains that almost matched the color of my house. Until I pressure washed over those parts, I didn't notice how truly dirty they were. It was especially true on my deck. It looked fine until I washed one section. Once I did that, I had to do the rest because of the huge difference. When I got through the deck looked much better.
What does this have to do with Galatians 5:16? Many times as we look at our lives we think we are fine because we do not have any glaring stains in our life. But most of the time we don't see the less apparent ones. Until we allow the pressure washing of the Holy Spirit into our life we live with the less obvious stains and it keeps us from walking in the Spirit.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light into your heart so you can see it all. Then call out to Him in repentance and experience His cleansing. Then you will be able to walk in the Spirit, so you will not give in to the desires of the flesh.
Let me here from you!
In Christ,
Brad