Have you ever felt like you’re being pulled in two directions at once? At Heritage Church, we talk often about how this tension impacts our spiritual journey. Whether it’s a small decision or a major life choice, we’re all in a daily battle between the desires of our flesh and the leading of the Holy Spirit. This struggle shapes not only our actions but also the kind of people we’re becoming.
In Galatians 5:16-23, Paul describes this battle vividly. Our flesh and the Spirit are at war, opposing forces that cannot coexist. Every decision we make either aligns with our own desires or with the Spirit’s guidance. When we give in to the flesh, the acts are clear: sexual immorality, jealousy, selfish ambition, hatred, and envy, among others. While some of these may feel extreme, others, like envy or discord, are everyday temptations that can slowly draw us away from God’s kingdom.
On the other hand, walking in the Spirit produces something radically different: love, joy, peace, kindness, and self-control. These fruits aren’t something we force; they naturally grow in us when we consistently surrender to the Spirit.
One way this battle often plays out is in our relationship with money. Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money. Money itself isn’t bad, but when it becomes our master, it leads to overworking, anxiety, greed, and selfish ambition. When we view money as a tool for God’s kingdom rather than as a goal for personal gain, we find freedom and generosity replacing worry and control.
So, how do we step off the path of the flesh and walk fully in the Spirit? Start by evaluating your daily decisions. Ask yourself:
• Do my actions reflect the fruits of the Spirit or the works of the flesh?
• Am I serving God wholeheartedly, or is something else competing for my loyalty?
• How can I intentionally surrender more of my life to the Spirit today?
This week, I encourage you to take small but meaningful steps toward surrender. Spend time in prayer, dig into Scripture, and surround yourself with a community of believers who will encourage you. Use what God has given you—your time, talents, and resources—to serve His kingdom.
The truth is, we can’t walk both paths. Let’s choose today to keep in step with the Spirit, trusting that He will transform our hearts and lives as we do.
Walking in the Spirit vs. Living in the Flesh: Understanding the Daily Battle
Have you ever felt like you’re being pulled in two directions at once? At Heritage Church, we talk often about how this tension impacts our spiritual journey. Whether it’s a small decision or a major life choice, we’re all in a daily battle between the desires of our flesh and the leading of the Holy Spirit. This struggle shapes not only our actions but also the kind of people we’re becoming.
In Galatians 5:16-23, Paul describes this battle vividly. Our flesh and the Spirit are at war, opposing forces that cannot coexist. Every decision we make either aligns with our own desires or with the Spirit’s guidance. When we give in to the flesh, the acts are clear: sexual immorality, jealousy, selfish ambition, hatred, and envy, among others. While some of these may feel extreme, others, like envy or discord, are everyday temptations that can slowly draw us away from God’s kingdom.
One way this battle often plays out is in our relationship with money. Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money. Money itself isn’t bad, but when it becomes our master, it leads to overworking, anxiety, greed, and selfish ambition. When we view money as a tool for God’s kingdom rather than as a goal for personal gain, we find freedom and generosity replacing worry and control.
So, how do we step off the path of the flesh and walk fully in the Spirit? Start by evaluating your daily decisions. Ask yourself:
• Do my actions reflect the fruits of the Spirit or the works of the flesh?
• Am I serving God wholeheartedly, or is something else competing for my loyalty?
• How can I intentionally surrender more of my life to the Spirit today?
This week, I encourage you to take small but meaningful steps toward surrender. Spend time in prayer, dig into Scripture, and surround yourself with a community of believers who will encourage you. Use what God has given you—your time, talents, and resources—to serve His kingdom.
The truth is, we can’t walk both paths. Let’s choose today to keep in step with the Spirit, trusting that He will transform our hearts and lives as we do.
Comments