Bible Verse of the Day Friday May 5th, 2023

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

The flesh in this verse refers to the sin capability and aptitude in the lives of a believer and follower of Christ Jesus. Speaking of the Holy Spirit's indwelling, the spirit is conflicting and opposing the flesh, and the flesh opposes the spirit. It is a continuous battle within us, one side fueled by Satan and the other driven by the Holy Spirit. The formula for success in this conflict is "walking in the spirit," which is sometimes easier said than done. The flesh and the spirit will always be at odds with one another. When the battle turns in favor of the flesh, we will not live as we know we should because our flesh, our sinful nature, leads the charge. The spirit and the flesh have been in this deadly struggle since the first battle in the Garden of Eden.

There can be no passive resistance between the flesh and the spirit, there can be resistance, but it cannot be submissive or docile. The spirit and the flesh cannot settle because succumbing to the flesh is to breach and disobey the Holy Spirit of God. There can never be any peaceful negotiation; the battle will continue to rage as long as we are in this earthly life. A spiritual contest of strength is occurring in the life of every follower and believer in Christ Jesus. The person who has not surrendered to Christ Jesus will not experience that skirmish because the flesh is in total control. A battle between the spirit and the flesh is a partial indication that a person has experienced new birth in Christ Jesus.

The "flesh" in the followers of Christ Jesus is just as profane and unwholesome as the "flesh" in the life of the person that has not accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. God never revitalizes it; we cannot improve or enhance it. Furthermore, it never perfects itself and will never receive even one blessing from God. Our relationship with the flesh has been with us much longer than the spirit because we were born with our fleshly nature. No one comes into this life indwelled with the Holy Spirit of God; that decision must be weighed and carried out by every human being. Christ Jesus does stand at the doorpost of our hearts, but we must open the door and let Him in. Jesus will never force His way or will upon anyone; the desire to follow Christ Jesus must override the flesh's desire. The flesh of a saved, born-again follower and believer in Christ Jesus is no different from the unbeliever's flesh. God will not look upon the flesh or sinful nature we choose to follow. The bottom line, where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, is that as followers and believers in Christ Jesus, we must never discount or disregard the power of the flesh that lives within us.