November 25

Galatians 5:17–21 (NIV84) — 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

There is a battle that goes on between the flesh (sinful nature of ours) and the Spirit (our new nature from God), we all get that. We all understand and shun sexual immorality and all that sex sin stuff along with idolatry, witchcraft, drunkenness and the like. Yet something tells me that we have allowed in some of the other 8 things that have to do with interpersonal relationships as something that is acceptable or things that are not good, but tolerable. As long as you are not getting drunk and having a threesome, you are doing ok. After all, everyone struggles a little with not liking someone, (conflict, resentment and ill will) it’s only human! Right?! It is the base or lower part of our humanity and it all comes from us setting ourselves up as judges and holding others to our laws. When we operate in the sinful nature we cannot operate in the Spirit! Our problem is that we think we can compartmentalize our sinful nature, (especially the part that is acceptable) and then we can turn on the Spirit and flow in the anointing – WRONG! Paul goes on to warn that those who operate continually in the sinful nature (hold their judgment against a person which produces all kinds of sickness) will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. He seems to be talking about heaven, but could it be that he is talking about the Kingdom of God on earth, exactly what Jesus came to bring to the earth? Could it be that people who are drunkards and people who “have a problem” with someone will NOT be able to walk in power and display the Kingdom to others? It is something to think about. (I would also challenge you to define all words in verses 19-21, I think you will surprised)

Galatians 5:24 (NIV84) — 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Here is the freedom right? If you belong to Christ, you don’t struggle with this anymore because your sinful nature is DEAD! So if you are feeling anything but love toward anybody, the KILL YOUR SINFUL NATURE. That is what you do because that is who you are, a person that says NO to the feelings of anything but love toward another. Enjoy walking in the Spirit today – it feels so good to be free from any ill feelings towards another!