Galatians 5:16-26

Galatians 5:16-26 (New Living Translation)
Living by the Spirit’s Power
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Devotion (Mikey Skoglund)
This list of what kinds of fruit the Holy Spirit produces is a good one to have memorized. It teaches us what things we need to be living by, what things that will keep us living in the will and law of God. Living by God’s law is not a complicated process to know or remember, but it is definitely easier said than done. I know in my life there are many times where my flesh overtake the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the things I do. Take a look again at the list of things that our sinful nature can lead us to…all of these things lead to emptiness, bitterness, and even death. It says in this passage that those who live in this way will not inherit the Kingdom of God which is life. I know at the surface some of these sinful desires seem like they would be fun or fill us with something we need…but God has created us to be filled by Him and Him alone. That’s why when we’re following the Holy Spirit and producing God’s fruit in our lives, we feel alive and full. So let’s take this passage to heart and remember that when we’ve given control of our lives over to Chris, we have crucified (put to death) all of our sinful passions and desires and have filled that void with Christ’s love and grace. So “let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” and “not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”

Prayer
Lord, I just want to thank You for this beautiful day that you’ve given us. Thank You for Your love in grace in my life. God please help me to put to death all of the sinful desires that lead me away from You. Help me to embrace Your Spirit and to be led by the Holy Spirit into abundant life. Thank You for being crucified on the cross for my sins, and for forgiving me and making me brand new. I am Your child. Fill my heart with Your love today Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.