Today’s Scripture: Galatians 5:18, NKJV- “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
It is obvious when we are or are not walking in the Spirit, isn’t it? It is also amazing how razor thin the dividing line is between flesh and spirit. Even in my prayers my thoughts can be jumbled, racing, and hard to gather. However, when I stop and seek the Spirit I am led into peace, calm, and confidence.
I somehow know I have left my fleshly world of chaos and entered the peace that surpasses all understanding. Regardless of the turmoil surrounding me or even in me, the presence of the Holy Spirit takes me into another world of God’s gentle and welcoming embrace.
As Galatians 5:19-21 states it is also obvious when we are manifesting and producing the fruits of the flesh or the fruits of the Spirit. It is scary at times how quickly and randomly we can cross that razor thin line of flesh and Spirit. “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (NASB)
Sometimes we make poor decisions and fall prey to our flesh. However, the great news is we can choose to turn back across the line and be led by the Spirit of God. Just as in the quiet moments of our prayers, in the fallout from our poor choices, or in the racing of life we can stop and look to the Spirit for direction and walk that way. Of course, in a perfect world, we would always walk with the Spirit, but as long as we are in the flesh the flesh will pull at us.
Galatians 5:22-23 shows that it is just as obvious when we are being led by the Spirit because we are producing the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (ESV)
Because we belong to Christ, we must crucify our flesh. Although living in the flesh we must turn and walk with the Spirit and leave the leading of the flesh. In Celebrate Recovery Step 12 we quote Galatians 6:1 which states “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. “
We can be gentle because we can relate and would appreciate gentleness from our brothers and sisters after we have crossed the line between flesh and spirit. We can gently encourage and remind each other of how much better and tasty the fruits of the Spirit are. You and I can produce the fruits of the Spirit as we turn and follow the Holy Spirit. As we are led by the Spirit, we enter the fertile fields of our LORD who is calling us home. Will you look now to follow the Spirit?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Spirit. I am choosing now to follow Your Spirit. Please crucify my flesh that separates me from You. I am looking toward Your Spirit and seeking to always follow You. Thank You LORD for the peace, comfort, and strength You grant to us in Your Holy Spirit. Help us LORD to walk in Your Spirit so we produce Your fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank You for being gentle with us and help us to be gentle with all others. In the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray, Amen.
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