“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”
Do you ever feel like you are in the middle of a big tug of war contest? The flesh and your spirit are each trying to pull you their way. The desires of the flesh are opposite to the desires of your spirit. Don’t just stand there. Throw your weight one way or the other and determine the outcome of the combat.
The Message Bible says: “For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.”
The flesh and your spirit nature are antagonistic to each other and always will be. So don’t try to work out a good relationship between the two, but rather, choose between the two. Without good choices, you cannot do what you want to do or get where you want to go. Choose to walk in the spirit and you won’t be sorry you did.
My flesh and spirit are trying to take me in opposite directions. I choose the spirit.
- Reading Plan A: 1 John 2
- Reading Plan B: Revelation 2
- Reading Plan C: Daniel 1-2; 1 John 2
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center