Sinful Life -- Sinful Behavior
George Fessler
"So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit.
Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old
sinful
nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy
Spirit
wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what
the
sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting
each other,
and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you
are
directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
When you
follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce
these
evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for
lustful
pleasure, idolatry, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition,
divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your
own
little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of
sin. Let
me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort
of life
will not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:16-21, NLT).
We can only live a new life in Christ by the presence and power of
the
Holy Spirit. The Spirit is at work in us, strengthening us to live
according to the new nature we have been given (the battle of "flesh"
versus "spirit" is real). The old way of life issues from sin and
results
in attitudes and actions that could only be described as "hellish."
We need
to be directed by the Holy Spirit -- so that immorality, selfish
ambition
and jealousy will no longer characterize our lives. If we allow
our old
nature to rise up and exert itself, these things jeopardize our
kingdom
inheritance and we dishonor our King. In this life we will always
be at
war, yet we are victors through the work of the Spirit in our lives.
Prayer response: Father, keep me continually filled with your Spirit.
I
know that at moments my old self tends to take charge in situations.
Help
me be accountable to my brothers, especially in areas of my own
weakness
-- whether it's with anger, sexual desire, jealousy, or anything
that may
grip my life. I want to reflect the new life I have experienced
in Christ,
which I can only do by the power of your Spirit. Forgive my sins.
Heal my
heart. Guide my life. Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.
hbdevotion@news.ag.org
