“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.“
Have you ever noticed how quickly good intentions can disappear?
Most Christians know what that feels like.
It can be discouraging because we genuinely want to follow Christ. We know what is good and desire to live differently. Yet we also find another voice within us pulling in the opposite direction.
Paul understood that struggle. He doesn’t write as though Christians no longer experience temptation or conflict. In fact, he describes the Christian life as a battle between the desires of the flesh and the work of the Spirit.
But notice where he places the emphasis.
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Sometimes we hear that as another command to try harder, but Paul is describing something different.
The Holy Spirit is not merely a coach standing on the sidelines, shouting instructions while you try to win the battle yourself. He is God’s own presence living within you. The Spirit who called you to faith, joined you to Christ, and continues to work through the Gospel is actively shaping your life.
That doesn’t eliminate the struggle. Paul says plainly that the flesh and the Spirit are opposed to one another. The conflict itself is evidence that something has changed. Before the Spirit brought you to faith, there was no battle. The sinful nature simply ruled. Now there is a new life within you that resists sin because it belongs to Christ.
So what does it mean to “walk by the Spirit”?
It means living each day in the gifts God has promised to give.
The Spirit works through the Word, where He continually points us to Christ. He strengthens faith through Holy Baptism, reminding us that we have died and risen with Jesus. He nourishes us through the Lord’s Supper, where Christ gives His own body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. He also calls us to talk with him in prayer and bring every need, celebration, and temptation to Him.
Walking by the Spirit is not discovering some hidden spiritual power within yourself. It is living from the gifts God continually gives.
There will be days when the struggle feels especially intense. Don’t mistake that struggle for failure. Instead, let it drive you back to Christ, return to His promises, hear His Word, and receive His good gifts.
The same Spirit who began His work in you has not abandoned it.
And He will continue His work until the day you stand with Christ in glory.
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit. When I become discouraged by my struggle against sin, remind me that You have not left me to fight alone.
Keep drawing me back to Your Word and Sacraments and prayer, where You strengthen my faith and renew my heart. Help me to trust Your promises and to follow where Your Spirit leads.
Continue the good work You have begun in me, until the day I see my Savior face to face.
Through Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
